How to submit cards
for grading.
Six steps from account to slab. CCA graders authenticate and grade each card, then encapsulate it in an ultrasonically sealed, tamper-evident holder, with an estimated turnaround shown for every service level.
- 01
Create an account
Sign up free to manage your submissions and follow every card.
- 02
Start a submission
Choose a service level, find each card in the catalog and set its declared value.
- 03
Ship your cards
Print the packing slip and label, pack each card in a sleeve and semi-rigid, and mark the order shipped.
- 04
Intake and grading
Each card is matched to your order, authenticated, graded on four condition subgrades and encapsulated.
- 05
Grade Reveal
Once your order is paid, reveal your grades and slab scans card by card in your dashboard.
- 06
Return shipping
Your slabs ship back to you and each certification number appears on the public certification record.
Grading a particular kind of card? See Pokemon card grading and sports card grading. For screenshots of each screen, read the full submission guide in the help center.
Find your cards in the catalog
Start a submissionSearch our card database of over 430,000 cards. Set name, release year and card number fill in automatically; you confirm the variant. A card that is not in the catalog yet can be added manually, and Pokemon, other TCG and sports cards can share one submission.
- Search as you type
- Set and card number filled in
- Add several cards at once
Pack and ship your cards
ShippingOnce your online order is complete, print your packing slip and mailing label. Each order carries a unique code so every card can be matched to your order at intake.
Secure packing
Use sleeves, semi-rigids and a sturdy box. Follow the packing guide for grading submissions.
Insurance coverage
Up to $100 to $1,500 coverage per card is included by service level. Extra coverage above the included amount is available at checkout.
Order tracking
You are notified when we sign for your package, and each stage shows in your dashboard.
Extra coverage is optional
You never have to buy extra coverage. For high-value cards we recommend declaring each card at its real value and adding coverage at checkout for the amount above what your service level includes.
Intake and grading
Technology-assisted measurement, human grading.Authentication
Each card is examined for signs it is not genuine and for alterations such as trimming, recoloring or restoration before any grade is assigned.
Technology-assisted centering
Borders are measured from high-resolution front and back scans. A CCA grader reviews corners, edges and surface by hand.
Overall grade and certification
A CCA grader sets the four condition subgrades and the overall grade. The card is encapsulated in an ultrasonically sealed, tamper-evident holder and added to the public certification record.
How CCA gradesSubmission questions
How long does grading take?
Estimated turnaround is 7–14 calendar days on Bulk, 5–10 on Standard, 3–5 on Express and 24–48 hours on Walk-Through, counted from confirmed intake and excluding shipping. See prices and turnaround by service level.
How should I pack cards for grading?
Put each card in a soft sleeve and a semi-rigid holder, sandwich them between cardboard and ship in a sturdy box with your printed packing slip. The packing guide walks through each step.
Does CCA use AI to grade cards?
Technology assists with card identification and centering measurement only. A CCA grader reviews corners, edges and surface and assigns every subgrade and the overall grade, as described in the grading standards.
What do I get back?
Each card returns in an ultrasonically sealed, tamper-evident holder. The label shows the overall grade, the four subgrades and the certification number, and the public certification record adds front and back scans anyone can look up by certification number.
When am I charged?
Not when you submit. You save a card on file and approve the estimated total; it is charged when grading is complete and the order is ready to ship. No grading fee is charged for a card that cannot be graded.
Ready to submit?
See what your cards grade, with all four subgrades.