You’ve decided to get your cards graded, and now it’s time to actually send them off. For many collectors, this is the nerve-wracking part. You’re handing over cards that might be worth hundreds or even thousands of pounds, trusting they’ll arrive safely, get graded fairly, and come back in perfect condition.
The good news is that with the right preparation, submitting cards is straightforward and low-stress. This checklist will walk you through everything you need to do before your cards leave your hands, so you can submit with confidence and avoid the most common mistakes that trip up first-time submitters.
Step 1: Verify Your Cards Are Ready for Grading
Before you pack a single card, take a close look at what you’re submitting. Not every card benefits from grading, and sending the wrong ones can cost you money without adding value.
Check Condition Honestly
Grading is about preserving and certifying condition, so the card needs to be in good shape to begin with. Look at corners, edges, centring, and surface carefully. Be critical. Minor flaws you might overlook can drop a grade significantly.
If a card has creases, heavy edge wear, or surface damage, grading may not be worth the cost unless it’s rare or historically significant. Understanding why some graded cards sell for more money will help you decide whether the potential grade justifies the expense.
Confirm Authenticity
Counterfeit cards are a real problem, and grading services will reject fakes. If you have any doubts about a card’s authenticity, verify it before you submit. Learn how to tell if your trading card is real and familiarise yourself with the most common fake trading cards in circulation.
Submitting a counterfeit wastes your grading fee and delays the rest of your order. When in doubt, get a second opinion from an experienced collector or dealer before you send anything in.
Decide Whether Grading Makes Financial Sense
Knowing whether to grade your cards before selling them is half the battle. High-value cards in excellent condition almost always benefit from grading. Low-value or damaged cards usually don’t.
Run the numbers. If a card is worth £30 raw and grading costs £25, you need to be confident it will grade high enough to justify that expense. Check how much it costs to grade a trading card to understand the fees for different service levels.
Step 2: Choose Your Service Level and Turnaround Time
Grading services offer different tiers based on turnaround time and card value. Faster service costs more, and higher-value cards often require premium tiers with additional insurance.
Think about your timeline. If you’re in no rush, standard service is the most cost-effective option. If you need cards back quickly for a sale or event, expedited service is worth the extra cost.
Also consider whether you need authentication only or full grading. Understanding the difference between card grading and authentication will help you choose the right service for your needs.
Review Get Graded’s services and pricing to find the tier that matches your budget and timeline. If you’re submitting multiple cards, bulk submissions often offer better value per card.
Step 3: Organise Your Paperwork and Documentation
Proper documentation keeps your submission organised and ensures nothing gets lost or misidentified. This step is tedious, but it’s essential.
Create a Submission Form
Most grading services require a detailed submission form listing each card, including:
- Player name or card subject
- Year and set
- Card number
- Declared value
- Service level requested
Double-check every entry. A single mistake can cause delays or misidentification. If you’re submitting multiple cards, number them on your form and match those numbers to the cards themselves (use Post-it notes or sleeve labels, never write directly on the card or holder).
Declare Values Accurately
You’ll need to declare the value of each card for insurance purposes. Be realistic. Overvaluing cards unnecessarily increases your fees, while undervaluing them leaves you underinsured if something goes wrong.
Use recent sold prices from auction sites or marketplaces to estimate current market value. If a card hasn’t sold recently, look at similar cards in comparable condition. When in doubt, err slightly on the high side to ensure adequate insurance coverage.
Photograph Everything
Before you pack your cards, photograph each one clearly—front, back, and any notable features or flaws. Store these photos digitally in multiple locations (computer, cloud storage, external drive).
If a card is lost or damaged in transit, these photos are invaluable for insurance claims. They also give you a record of exactly what you sent and in what condition.
Step 4: Pack Your Cards Properly
How you pack your cards matters. Poor packing can lead to damage in transit, rejected submissions, or delays while the grading service repackages everything properly.
Use the Right Holders
Cards should be placed in penny sleeves and then into semi-rigid holders or top loaders. Never send raw cards loose in an envelope or just in penny sleeves—they need rigid protection to survive the post.
Use card savers (semi-rigid holders) rather than traditional top loaders when possible. Card savers fit better in grading company holders and make the grading process smoother. If you use top loaders, don’t tape them shut—grading services need to remove the cards, and tape makes that difficult and risky.
Secure and Cushion the Package
Place your protected cards in a sturdy cardboard box—never a padded envelope. Cards need to be sandwiched between stiff cardboard sheets and secured so they don’t shift during transit.
Use bubble wrap, foam, or packing peanuts to fill empty space in the box, but make sure the cards themselves are held firmly between rigid layers. The goal is zero movement inside the package.
Seal the box thoroughly with strong packing tape. Label the outside clearly with both your address and the grading service’s address. Mark the package as “Fragile” if you like, though postal services don’t always honour those labels.
Include Your Paperwork
Place a copy of your submission form inside the box with the cards, and keep a copy for yourself. Some collectors also include a return address label to make the return shipment easier, though most grading services have their own process for this.
Step 5: Arrange Insured and Tracked Shipping
Never send valuable cards through the post without insurance and tracking. Standard post is not worth the risk, no matter how much you want to save on shipping costs.
Choose a courier service that offers:
- Full tracking from collection to delivery
- Insurance coverage up to the declared value of your cards
- Signature required on delivery
- A solid reputation for handling valuable items
Royal Mail Special Delivery, Parcelforce, and other reputable couriers all offer suitable services. Compare prices and coverage limits, and pick the option that gives you adequate insurance at a reasonable cost.
Keep your tracking number and shipping receipt. You’ll need these if anything goes wrong, and tracking lets you monitor the package until it arrives safely.
For international shipments, you may need to complete customs forms. Describe the contents accurately as “collectible trading cards for professional grading” and declare the total value truthfully. Avoid vague descriptions or undervaluing items—customs issues can delay your shipment significantly.
Step 6: Track Your Submission
Once your cards are in the post, tracking becomes your best friend. Most grading services notify you when your package arrives, but it’s worth checking tracking yourself to make sure everything is moving smoothly.
Use the Flawless Tracker to monitor your submission once it’s been received and logged by Get Graded. You’ll be able to see where your cards are in the grading process and get updates on expected completion dates.
If your tracking shows the package is delayed or stuck somewhere, contact the courier immediately. The sooner you address problems, the easier they are to resolve.
Step 7: Verify Your Graded Cards When They Return
When your cards come back, inspect them immediately before the courier leaves if possible. Check that:
- All cards are present and accounted for
- The slabs are intact with no cracks or damage
- The grades and certification numbers match your submission form
- The labels are clear and correctly identify each card
Use the Cert Checker to verify the certification numbers and confirm everything is logged correctly in the grading service’s database.
If anything is wrong—missing cards, damaged slabs, incorrect grades or labels—document the issue with photos and contact the grading service immediately. Most companies have procedures in place to address problems, but you need to report them quickly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced collectors make mistakes when submitting cards. Here are the most common ones to watch out for:
Sending cards in top loaders that are taped shut. The tape makes it difficult and risky for graders to remove the cards. Use card savers or leave top loaders unsealed.
Underinsuring valuable cards. Saving a few pounds on insurance isn’t worth the risk if something goes wrong. Insure cards for their full current market value.
Forgetting to keep copies of submission forms and photos. If there’s a dispute or a lost package, you’ll need documentation. Always keep copies of everything you send.
Choosing the wrong service level. Make sure the service tier you select matches the declared value of your cards. Some grading companies require premium services for high-value items.
Not confirming authenticity first. Submitting counterfeit cards wastes time and money. Verify authenticity before you submit, especially for high-value or commonly faked cards.
Your Pre-Submission Checklist
Here’s a quick summary you can reference before you send your cards:
Before Packing:
- Inspect each card for condition and authenticity
- Confirm grading makes financial sense for each card
- Choose your service level and turnaround time
- Calculate total costs including grading fees and shipping
Paperwork:
- Complete submission form with accurate details
- Declare realistic values for insurance
- Photograph all cards (front and back)
- Print and include submission form in package
Packing:
- Place cards in penny sleeves and semi-rigid holders
- Sandwich cards between rigid cardboard
- Pack securely in a sturdy box with cushioning
- Seal thoroughly and label clearly
Shipping:
- Choose insured, tracked courier service
- Require signature on delivery
- Complete customs forms if shipping internationally
- Keep tracking number and receipt
After Submission:
- Monitor tracking until delivery confirmed
- Track grading progress with Flawless Tracker
- Inspect cards immediately upon return
- Verify certification numbers with Cert Checker
Ready to Submit?
Submitting cards for grading doesn’t have to be stressful. With proper preparation, clear documentation, and secure shipping, you can send your cards off confidently knowing they’re protected every step of the way.
Find out how to submit your cards to Get Graded for detailed step-by-step guidance specific to Get Graded’s process. Visit your nearest Get Graded location if you prefer to submit in person, or browse grading supplies in our shop to make sure you have everything you need.
If you have questions or want advice on whether specific cards are worth grading, explore more guides on our blog or reach out to Get Graded’s team. We’re here to make the grading process as smooth and transparent as possible, so you can focus on building and protecting your collection with confidence.