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CGC offers multiple service levels. Faster turnaround costs significantly more. Prices shown are approximate and may vary.
The most budget-friendly CGC option. Best for bulk submissions of lower-value cards where turnaround time is not a priority.
A balanced option for collectors who want reasonable turnaround without paying premium rates. Good for mid-value cards.
Faster turnaround for cards you need graded sooner. Works well for cards you plan to sell or want back before an upcoming show.
Fast service for high-value cards. Get your grades back in about a week with priority handling throughout the process.
The fastest CGC service for the most valuable cards. Highest priority handling with the quickest possible turnaround.
Prices are approximate and may vary based on declared card value, promotions, and submission volume.
CGC brings decades of authentication expertise from comics to the trading card market, with competitive pricing and a growing reputation.
CGC grades on a 1-10 scale with half-point increments (e.g., 8.5, 9.0, 9.5), providing more precise condition assessment than whole-number-only scales. This granularity helps collectors better understand where their card falls on the condition spectrum.
The CGC Perfect 10 designation is reserved for truly flawless cards with no visible imperfections under magnification. This top-tier grade commands significant premiums and is one of the most sought-after designations in the hobby.
CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) built its reputation grading comic books and is the gold standard in that market. They brought the same authentication expertise and tamper-evident holder technology to trading cards, earning quick trust from collectors.
CGC has become especially popular in the Pokemon and trading card game communities. Their competitive pricing and strong holder design have made them a top choice for TCG collectors who want professional grading without PSA-level costs.
The per-card grading fee is just the start. Here are the additional costs that add up quickly.
You pay to ship cards to CGC and they charge a return shipping fee. Insured shipping for valuable cards adds more. Expect $10-$20 minimum round trip per submission.
Standard shipping insurance may not cover your cards fully. Declared value insurance through CGC or third-party carriers adds to your total cost, especially for cards worth $500+.
CGC requires specific submission supplies including card savers and packing materials. Factor in roughly $5-$10 in supplies per submission batch.
Some CGC service levels have minimum card counts or require a CGC membership. Membership fees and minimum orders add to your effective per-card cost on smaller submissions.
A raw card in great condition may sell for more than the same card slabbed with a CGC 5 or 6. A low grade can actually reduce your card value compared to selling it raw.
AI pre-screening identifies your best cards before you pay CGC prices. Only submit cards that are actually worth grading.
Result: 3 cards grade CGC 9-10, 7 cards grade CGC 7 or below. You paid $210 to grade cards that lost value.
Result: All 3 cards grade CGC 9-10. You saved $220 by only submitting your best cards.
CGC card grading ranges from approximately $15 per card for Economy service (65+ business day turnaround) to $250+ per card for Walk-Through service (2 business days). The Standard tier costs about $30 per card with a 30+ business day turnaround.
The cheapest CGC option is their Economy tier at approximately $15 per card. However, turnaround is 65+ business days. To reduce costs further, submit in bulk to spread shipping costs across more cards, and pre-screen with AI to avoid paying for cards that will grade poorly.
CGC is especially worth it for Pokemon and TCG cards where they have strong market recognition. For cards likely to grade CGC 9 or higher, grading can significantly increase resale value. Their Perfect 10 designation for flawless cards commands strong premiums. Pre-screening with AI helps you identify which cards are worth the investment.
CGC uses a half-point grading scale (1-10 with .5 increments) and offers subgrades on some service levels, giving more detailed condition information than PSA. CGC is generally more affordable than PSA and is growing rapidly in the Pokemon and TCG communities. PSA still commands higher resale premiums for most sports cards, but CGC is increasingly competitive.
CGC turnaround times range from 2 business days for Walk-Through service ($250+) to 65+ business days for Economy service (~$15). Standard service at ~$30 per card takes 30+ business days. Actual times can vary based on CGC submission volume.
Absolutely. AI pre-screening with CardGrade.io identifies which cards are likely to achieve high grades before you spend on CGC. Instead of submitting 10 cards at $30 each ($300), pre-screen and submit only the 3 best candidates for $90, saving $210.