Card grading is extremely precise and occasionally complex. Each collector has their own reasons for why and how they have their cards evaluated. We have answered common questions below, but if you don’t find what you’re looking for, please reach out to us…
Card grading is the process of having a trading card independently authenticated, assessed, and sealed inside a protective case by a professional grading company.
During grading, the card is examined for factors such as centering, corners, edges, surface, and overall condition. Based on this assessment, the grading company assigns a numerical grade, usually on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 representing the highest condition.
A higher grade generally indicates a card in better condition and, in many cases, a higher market value. Once graded, the card is encapsulated in a tamper-evident holder and labelled with its grade and authentication details.
Black Label Grading acts as a middleman, managing the submission, shipping, and return of your cards to professional grading companies such as PSA, Beckett Grading Services (BGS), and CGC. The grading itself is carried out solely by those companies.
There are many reasons collectors choose to have their cards professionally graded, including:
Authentication
Grading companies verify that a card is genuine and not counterfeit, altered, or tampered with.
Market confidence and value
A professionally graded card is easier to buy, sell, and trade, and higher grades often command higher market prices.
Protection and preservation
Once graded, the card is sealed inside a tamper-evident holder designed to help protect it from handling, dust, and environmental damage.
Standardised condition assessment
Grading provides an independent, industry-recognised assessment of a card’s condition, helping collectors compare and value cards more consistently.
While grading does not guarantee future value, it provides a trusted way to authenticate, protect, and present your cards within the collecting market.
To submit cards for grading using Black Label Grading, follow these steps:
Choose your cards
Decide which cards you would like to have graded.
Select a grading company and service level
Choose PSA, Beckett Grading Services (BGS), or CGC, along with the service level that best matches your cards’ estimated value and turnaround needs.
Place your order online
Submit your order through our online ordering portal and complete payment at checkout. You will receive an order number and shipping instructions.
Package your cards securely
Place each card in a clear penny sleeve and suitable card holder, and pack them carefully to prevent movement or damage during transit.
Send or drop off your cards
Send your package to the address provided at checkout, or hand it in at our office or an official Black Label Grading event.
Your order number must be included inside the package.
Receipt and confirmation
Your cards are considered received only once they have been physically checked in, opened, and logged by Black Label Grading. Once this has happened, you will receive confirmation by email.
Important notes
All submissions must include a valid order number.
Payment is required in full before cards are processed.
Risk remains with the sender until cards are checked in by Black Label Grading.
Please do not include unnecessary personal documents inside your package.
If you need help at any stage, please contact us before sending your cards.
Yes. We accept submissions from customers outside the UK.
European customers should use our European Hub, which is designed to handle EU shipments, customs processes, and local returns. Please visit our European Hub page for full instructions.
Customers outside the UK and EU should contact us before submitting so we can confirm the correct shipping, customs, and service options for your location.
Please note that international submissions are subject to customs procedures, local regulations, and courier requirements. Black Label Grading is not responsible for delays, charges, or issues caused by customs authorities or international shipping providers.
Black Label Grading provides standardised insurance and liability cover for cards only after they have been received and checked in by us.
Once your cards have been physically received, opened, and logged by Black Label Grading (“Checked In”), they are covered under our insurance and liability arrangements while they are:
held by Black Label Grading,
in transit between Black Label Grading and the grading company,
held or processed by the grading company, and
in transit back to Black Label Grading.
For all submissions, this cover is limited to the lower of:
the maximum declared value of the grading service level you selected, and
£1,000 per card.
This limit applies regardless of the card’s actual market value. It is the customer’s responsibility to select the correct service level and declared value.
When your graded cards are shipped back to you:
UK deliveries are sent using Royal Mail or an equivalent tracked service.
EU deliveries are sent using PostNL, DPD, or an equivalent carrier.
If a parcel is confirmed lost after leaving Black Label Grading, compensation is limited to:
£2,000 per package for UK shipments, and
€500 per package for EU shipments,
regardless of how many cards are in the package or their individual values.
Compensation is only payable once the courier has formally confirmed the parcel as lost.
Black Label Grading does not provide cover for cards while they are in transit from you to us.
Courier tracking marked as “delivered” does not mean your cards are covered. Coverage begins only once your package has been physically checked in by Black Label Grading.
If a card’s actual value exceeds the declared value or service limit you selected, Black Label Grading will not be liable for the excess amount.
Full details are set out in Section 3.2 of our Terms of Service.
The time it takes to receive your graded cards depends on the grading company, service level, shipping times, and overall workload across the grading and shipping process. This can range from a few weeks to several months.
Black Label Grading will keep you updated as your order moves through each stage of the process. However, all turnaround times are estimates only and are not guaranteed.
Below is a typical outline of the stages involved:
Once your cards have been received and checked in, we aim to process and prepare submissions for shipment to the grading company within approximately 1 to 2 weeks, depending on volume and operational workload.
International shipping, customs clearance, and carrier routing can take 1 to 3 weeks, depending on destination, seasonality, and border processing.
Turnaround times vary by grading company and service level. Estimated grading times are shown on our pricing pages but are set and controlled by the grading companies, not Black Label Grading.
Once grading is complete, international return shipping and customs clearance typically take 1 to 3 weeks, subject to courier and border processing.
After your cards arrive back with Black Label Grading, we aim to ship them to you within approximately 5 to 7 working days.
Black Label Grading acts as an intermediary. We do not control the grading companies, shipping providers, or customs authorities, and we are not responsible for delays caused by:
grading backlogs,
service suspensions,
customs inspections or holds,
courier delays, or
operational issues at grading companies.
Delays do not entitle customers to cancel orders or receive refunds once cards have been submitted for grading.
Yes. Black Label Grading offers payment plans through Klarna for eligible orders.
Klarna is available on orders over £300 and allows you to spread the cost of your submission over time, subject to Klarna’s approval and their own terms and conditions.
When you choose Klarna at checkout, your payment agreement is made directly with Klarna, not Black Label Grading. All instalments, fees, and repayment terms are governed by Klarna’s policies.
Your order will be processed once Klarna confirms the payment arrangement and authorisation.
Failure to meet your Klarna obligations will be treated as non-payment under our Terms of Service.
Every Black Label Grading order is tracked through our online platform, giving you live visibility of where your cards are in their grading journey.
For PSA and CGC submissions, statuses are updated in real time directly from the grading companies via API integration.
For Beckett (BGS) submissions, statuses are updated by Black Label Grading as your cards move through each stage.
You can view your current status at any time by logging into your account. Email notifications are also sent when key milestones are reached.
Please note: all stages and timings are estimates only. Progress depends on grading companies, shipping providers, and customs processing.
These apply to PSA, CGC and BGS.
Your cards have arrived with Black Label Grading and are being opened, logged, and checked in.
This is the point at which your items are officially received by BLG.
Your cards have been securely packed and shipped to the grading company.
Your cards have been received by the grading company and entered into their system.
PSA also provides live API updates, which may include:
In transit to PSA Canada
Cards are being routed to PSA.
Arrived at PSA Canada
Cards have entered PSA’s intake system.
Arrived at PSA USA
Cards are at PSA’s main grading facility.
Order prep
PSA is preparing your cards for grading.
Research & ID
PSA is identifying and verifying each card.
Grading
PSA is grading your cards.
Grades ready
Grades have been assigned.
Assembly
Labels and cases are prepared.
QA check 1 & QA check 2
PSA performs quality assurance checks.
Shipped from grader
Cards are on their way back to BLG.
Returned to us
BLG has received your graded cards.
On way to you
Your order has been shipped back to you.
BGS updates are managed by Black Label Grading and use a simpler, stage-based system:
In transit to grader
Your cards are being shipped to Beckett.
Arrived at grader
Beckett has received your submission.
Processing
Beckett is preparing your cards for grading.
Verifying
Cards are being identified and checked before grading.
Grading
Beckett is grading your cards.
Graded
Your cards have been graded.
Shipped from grader
Cards are on their way back to BLG.
Returned to us
BLG has received your graded cards.
On way to you
Your order has been shipped back to you.
CGC provides live updates directly to our platform. You may see the following stages:
At submission centre
Your order is confirmed and registered in CGC’s system.
In transit to USA
Your cards are being shipped to CGC’s US facility.
Received by CGC
CGC has logged your cards and validated the submission.
Scheduled for grading
Your cards have been assigned to a grading batch.
Grading / encapsulation
Cards are authenticated, graded, sealed, and labelled.
Grading / quality control
CGC performs multiple quality checks before release.
Returning to submission centre
Cards are in transit to CGC’s submission centre in the UK
Returned to submission centre
Cards have arrived at the CGC submission centre
On way to you
Your order has been shipped back to you.
Once Black Label Grading receives your graded cards back from the grading company, we will:
check them in,
prepare them for dispatch, and
ship them to you using tracked delivery.
Tracking details will be sent when your order leaves our facility.
Status updates reflect real activity at grading companies and couriers.
Some stages may move quickly, others may remain unchanged for weeks.
Delays caused by grading backlogs, customs, or couriers do not affect your order’s validity and do not entitle you to a refund once grading has begun.
PSA and CGC apply value charges (also known as upcharges) when a card’s final graded market value exceeds the maximum declared value of the service level it was submitted under.
When this happens, the grading company moves the card to the correct service tier and charges the difference. Black Label Grading passes this cost on to the customer.
Your declared value is your estimate of what the card will be worth after grading, not its raw value. If PSA or CGC determines that the graded value exceeds the tier limit, an upcharge will be applied.
Customers are responsible for selecting the appropriate service level when submitting. This may require researching recent graded sale prices to estimate the likely graded value.
When an upcharge is issued:
Black Label Grading will notify you,
the affected cards will be held, and
payment must be made before the cards are released.
Failure to pay an upcharge may result in your cards being retained, sold, or disposed of in accordance with our Terms of Service.
In most cases, no.
Black Label Grading submits cards to PSA, CGC, and Beckett under professional temporary import and export arrangements, which are designed for items sent abroad for grading and then returned. This structure normally means no customs duties or tariffs are charged to customers.
As an authorised dealer, Black Label Grading handles the customs process for you as part of the service, which is a major benefit compared to sending cards privately.
However, customs authorities operate independently. While temporary import procedures are used wherever available, Black Label Grading cannot control or guarantee decisions made by customs or border agencies. In rare cases, additional charges or delays may be imposed by authorities, and these may need to be passed on to the customer.
Your cards are only considered received by Black Label Grading once we have physically opened your parcel and checked the contents into our system.
Courier tracking marked as “delivered” does not mean the cards have been received or logged. This is because parcels may pass through shared postal facilities, holding areas, or sorting locations before reaching our secure processing team.
You will receive confirmation by email once your cards have been opened and checked in.
Grading companies may refuse to grade a card for reasons including, but not limited to:
authenticity concerns
alterations (such as trimming or recolouring)
damage
misidentification
If a card is rejected, the grading fee is not refundable. The card will be returned through Black Label Grading and shipped back to you in its original state.
Return shipping costs may apply.
All grading decisions are made solely by the grading company.
Black Label Grading does not influence, control, or review grades, labels, or authentication decisions. If you wish to dispute a grade, request a review, or submit for regrading, this must be done directly with the grading company.
If PSA or CGC applies an upcharge, we will notify you.
Your cards will be held until the upcharge is paid. If payment is not made, Black Label Grading may retain, sell, or dispose of the items in accordance with our Terms of Service to recover outstanding amounts and costs.
Orders may be changed or cancelled only before your cards are submitted to the grading company.
Once your cards have been submitted for grading, the order becomes final and cannot be cancelled or refunded.
Cards should always be sent in:
a penny sleeve, and
a semi-rigid card holder (such as Card Saver I).
Do not use screw-down holders, magnetic cases, or top loaders unless instructed. Improper packaging increases the risk of damage and may result in rejection by the grading company.
Black Label Grading does not review or adjust service levels on your behalf.
It is the customer’s responsibility to select the correct grading service level based on the estimated graded value of the card.
If a card is submitted under a service tier that is too low and the grading company determines that its graded value exceeds that tier’s maximum, a value charge (upcharge) will be applied by PSA or CGC and passed on to you.
Your insurance and liability cover is also based on the maximum declared value of the service level you selected, not the actual value of the card. If a card is under-declared, it may be under-insured.
Black Label Grading will not contact customers to upgrade service levels before grading. By submitting an order, you accept the risk that:
an upcharge may be applied, and
coverage may be limited if the card was submitted under an incorrect tier.
We submit cards regularly to Beckett, PSA & CGC. We endeavour to get cards shipped within 1-2 weeks of receiving them, offering a quick processing time.
