The CCA card grading guarantee
The CCA Authenticity and Grade Guarantee covers eligible CCA slabs of Pokémon, TCG and sports cards that remain in their original tamper-evident holder: up to $250,000 per claim and $500,000 in total per owner. It does not apply to the original submitter of the card, and a $25 review fee applies if the original grade is upheld.
Per Card Cap
$250,000
Maximum per claim
Per Owner Cap
$500,000
Total across all claims
Coverage
TCG & Sports
Trading & Sports Cards
Review Fee
$25
Only if the grade is upheld
The guarantee in plain terms
What does the CCA guarantee cover?
It covers CCA's opinion of authenticity and grade on an eligible CCA slab. If CCA concludes a card is not authentic or was given an inaccurate grade, CCA buys the card at its current market value or refunds the difference in value between the two grades.
Who can make a claim?
A later owner of the slab, such as a buyer. The original submitter of the card cannot claim, and CCA may confirm eligibility before paying a claim.
How much can a claim pay?
Up to $250,000 per claim and $500,000 in total per owner. Market value is set by CCA from verifiable recent sales at the assigned grade, and proof of purchase is required.
What voids the guarantee?
Removing the card from its holder, any sign of tampering with the holder or label, and damage from storage, sunlight, fire or water. Label typos and factory defects are not covered. The full list is under Guarantee exceptions below.
What does a claim cost?
No review fee is charged if the claim is upheld. If CCA's review finds the original grade was correct, a $25 review fee and return shipping apply.
What does a claim look like?
Illustration only: a buyer sends in a CCA 10 that CCA re-grades as a 9. If recent sales put the 10 at $400 and the 9 at $150, CCA either refunds the $250 difference and returns the card, or buys the card for $400.
The promise
The CCA Authenticity and Grade Guarantee is fundamental to our reputation. It is our assurance that we stand behind our opinions as to the authenticity and grade of every item we encapsulate: trading card games and sports cards alike. If CCA concludes that a card fails our authenticity standards or was erroneously awarded an inaccurate grade, CCA provides one of the two remedies below.
Guarantee remedies
Market Buyback
CCA will buy the applicable card outright from the current owner at its current market value, determined by verifiable recent prices realized for the assigned grade.
Value Difference
If we assign a lower revised grade, we will refund the difference between the market value at the erroneous grade and the revised grade, returning the card to you.
Fraud & abuse prevention
CCA reserves the right to investigate relationships between claimants and original submitters. We may require attestation agreements and background checks to confirm eligibility. Any fraudulent claims will result in immediate termination of all CCA account privileges and restriction from future services.
Market value determination
Current market value is determined solely by CCA based on verifiable recent prices realized across approved marketplaces. We do not accept anecdotal evidence or unverified “asking prices.” A valid proof-of-purchase must be provided as part of the valuation process.
Guarantee exceptions
- Original Submitter
- The Guarantee cannot be utilized by the original submitter of the item.
- Mechanical Errors
- Does not apply to clerical errors (typos) on the label regarding date, set, or variation.
- Removed from Holder
- Void if the card has been removed from the CCA tamper-evident holder.
- Evidence of Tampering
- Void if the holder or label shows evidence of fraud, shaking, or slamming.
- Environmental Damage
- Does not cover damage from improper storage, sunlight exposure, fire, or water.
- Manufacturer Defects
- Excludes inherent factory errors, such as ink chipping on metal cards (e.g. Celebrations UPC) or print and cut lines common to certain sports card runs.
How to file a claim
If you believe your card is overgraded or counterfeit, contact CCA Support. Our team will guide you through the Grade Guarantee Review process. If determined correct, a review fee of $25 and return shipping will apply.
Legal venue
This Guarantee shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California. Any legal action arising under this Guarantee shall be brought exclusively in the courts of Orange County, California.
Buying a CCA slab? Verify the certification number and compare the scans with the card in hand. The grades the guarantee stands behind follow the published CCA grading standards, and grading prices by service level list the coverage included while your cards are with us.
Guarantee terms last reviewed October 22, 2026.