Frequently Asked Questions

Complete the online submission form, package your cards according to the shipping instructions, and send or deliver them to the current address shown on the form. Please review the weekly processing schedule before mailing your package.

Start your submission here.

An account is strongly recommended. Your Card Care Lab account allows you to track your order status, view available grading information, access certification links, and receive important submission updates.

Yes. There is no requirement to submit a large order. Card Care Lab can assist with a single card or a much larger collection.

Card Care Lab accepts sports cards, Pokémon cards, trading card games, entertainment cards, and other eligible collectibles accepted by the selected grading company. Contact us first if you are unsure whether a particular item is eligible.

Yes. Different cards may be submitted at different grading levels based on their value, your preferred turnaround level, and the grading company’s service requirements.

Each card received is inspected and documented as part of the intake process. The inspection helps record the condition of the cards when they arrive and provides information used when discussing grading recommendations.

The $1 inspection fee applies to each card received, including cards that are ultimately not submitted for grading.

Standard preparation includes the normal review, organization, handling, and submission preparation appropriate for the selected grading level.

Standard prep pricing is based on the grading service selected. Current pricing is available on the About & Pricing page.

Advanced Prep is intended for cards that require substantially more time and attention than the standard preparation process. Pricing begins at $25 per card and may vary depending on the amount of work required.

Card Care Lab will discuss the recommendation with you before applying an Advanced Prep charge.

Yes. Advanced Prep is a separate service for additional work beyond the standard preparation included with the selected grading level.

For example, a card submitted at a grading level with a $10 standard prep fee that also receives a $25 Advanced Prep service would incur both charges.

Yes. Card Care Lab may recommend withholding a card when its visible condition, likely grade range, expected value, or grading cost makes submission difficult to justify.

The final decision remains with the card owner unless another arrangement has been approved.

No. Pregrading and inspection are informed opinions, not guarantees. The grading company makes the final determination, and grades may differ from any preliminary assessment.

A card may be withheld because of condition concerns, authenticity concerns, insufficient value relative to grading costs, grading-company eligibility rules, or another issue that makes submission inadvisable.

Rejected cards can generally be returned with the completed graded order or shipped separately at the customer’s expense.

Card Care Lab submits to PSA and BGS and may support additional grading companies depending on current service availability. PSA and BGS service levels are listed on the pricing page.

Turnaround times are estimates provided by the grading company and are not guaranteed by Card Care Lab. Processing times can change based on grading-company volume, service level, research requirements, authentication concerns, upcharges, shipping, and other factors.

PSA service levels include maximum declared-value limits. If PSA determines that a card’s value after grading exceeds the limit for the selected service level, PSA may move the card to a higher service tier and charge the difference.

The card owner is responsible for grading-company upcharges.

An upcharge generally means the grading company determined that the card’s graded value exceeded the maximum value permitted under the service level originally selected.

An upcharge is not a Card Care Lab fee and is not controlled by Card Care Lab.

Choosing an appropriate service level based on a reasonable expected grade and market value can reduce the likelihood of an upcharge, but it cannot eliminate it. The grading company makes the final valuation and service-level decision.

A grading company may return a card ungraded because of authenticity concerns, alteration concerns, minimum-size requirements, labeling issues, eligibility rules, or another grading-company determination.

Grading and service fees may still apply depending on the grading company’s policies.

Log in to your Card Care Lab account and open the My Orders area. Your order will display its current status as it moves through inspection, preparation, grading, Grades Ready, and completion.

• Arrived – Awaiting Inspection: Your package has been received and is awaiting its inspection cycle.
• Grading: Your cards have been submitted to the grading company.
• Assembly: The grading company is completing final order processing.
• Grades Ready: Grades are available and payment or return coordination may be required.
• Complete: The completed order has returned to Card Care Lab and is being finalized for return.

Grades appear after they are released by the grading company and Card Care Lab’s order information has been updated. You may receive an email when your order reaches the Grades Ready stage.

PSA Offers may allow eligible card owners to view purchase offers associated with newly graded cards. Offers can change and may only remain available for a limited period after order completion.

Registering for a Card Care Lab account and enabling notifications helps ensure you can review available information promptly.

Confirm that you are signed into the account using the same email address associated with your submission. Newly received orders may also require time to be inspected, entered, and linked to your account.

Contact Card Care Lab if the order still does not appear after processing.

Cards should generally be placed in penny sleeves and appropriately sized protective holders, then secured to prevent movement during transit. Avoid overstuffed packages and include the information requested in the current shipping instructions.

Always review the shipping instructions on the submission page before mailing cards.

Signature confirmation is strongly recommended for incoming shipments, particularly for higher-value packages and shipments sent through carriers where proof of delivery is important.

Standard return shipping is charged separately unless another arrangement applies. Expedited shipping may be requested at the customer’s expense. Signature confirmation is included when required based on the shipment and applicable insurance terms.

Eligible return shipments may be insured through Card Care Lab’s private insurer for up to $25,000, subject to policy terms and a $500 deductible assumed by the customer unless additional arrangements are approved.

A customer may request shipment without signature confirmation in some circumstances. Doing so may affect available protection and shifts additional delivery risk to the customer. Card Care Lab will assist with a carrier or insurance claim when appropriate but cannot guarantee recovery.

Yes, rejected or withheld cards may be returned separately at the customer’s expense. Otherwise, they will generally be held and returned with the completed graded order.

Packages should arrive by Friday to qualify for the current inspection cycle. A package arriving after the cutoff may move into the following week’s inspection and preparation schedule.

No. Card Care Lab prep fees are separate from grading-company fees unless an invoice or published price specifically presents them as a combined total.

Customers are also responsible for applicable grading-company upcharges, return shipping, and requested additional insurance.

Higher grading levels commonly involve higher-value cards, increased handling responsibility, additional time, and more detailed submission coordination. Card Care Lab’s prep pricing reflects the service level selected.

Invoices are generally sent when cards are prepared and shipped to the grading company. Additional charges, including grading-company upcharges or return-shipping expenses, may be added or invoiced later when applicable.

Invoices must be paid according to the terms shown on the invoice and in the Card Care Lab Submission Policies and Terms of Service. Invoices not settled within 7 days after grades are released may be subject to a 20% late fee.

Available payment methods are provided with your invoice or payment instructions. Contact Card Care Lab before sending payment if you are unsure which method should be used.

Unpaid submissions may be held and may incur late fees. Card Care Lab also reserves the rights described in its Submission Policies and Terms of Service to recover outstanding grading costs, fees, shipping expenses, and other amounts owed.

Review the complete Submission Policies and Terms of Service for the controlling terms.