CGC Card Grading Cost & Turnaround (2026)
What does CGC grading cost?
CGC grading costs $17 to $300 per card in 2026. The cheapest option is the Bulk tier at $17 per card (25-card minimum). The fastest is WalkThrough at $300 per card with a 2-day turnaround. Most everyday collectors use Bulk or Economy.
CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) built its reputation grading comic books and expanded into trading cards. It grades on a 1–10 scale with half-point increments and is widely recognized for Pokémon and other TCG cards.
CGC grading cost at a glance (2026)
| Tier | Max declared value | Fee per card | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk (25-card minimum) | $500 | $17 | ~90 working days |
| Economy | $1,000 | $20 | ~45 working days |
| Standard | $3,000 | $55 | ~10 working days |
| Express | $10,000 | $100 | ~5 working days |
| WalkThrough | $100,000 | $300 | ~2 working days |
| Unlimited Value | No cap | $300 + 1% of fair market value | ~2 working days |
Bulk requires a 25-card minimum and the cards can be a mix of games and sports. Turnaround figures are CGC's current estimates and are not guaranteed — they shift with submission volume.
CGC grading tiers explained
Bulk ($17) — The entry point. A 25-card minimum, cards capped at $500 declared value each. Best for large batches of moderate-value cards.
Economy ($20) — A higher $1,000 value cap and a faster turnaround, with no minimum quantity. The natural choice for single mid-value cards.
Standard ($55) — For cards declared up to $3,000, with turnaround around 10 working days.
Express ($100) — Cards up to $10,000, roughly 5-day turnaround.
WalkThrough ($300) — Cards up to $100,000, roughly 2-day turnaround, with priority handling.
Unlimited Value ($300 + 1% FMV) — No value cap; the 1% is charged on the card's fair market value.
How CGC turnaround times work
- The clock starts when CGC receives your card at its Sarasota, Florida facility — not when you fill out the form.
- Turnaround is measured in working days, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. CGC also does not count the Fridays before major conventions.
- Estimates are not guarantees. Times move with volume, and a card not yet in CGC's database may take longer.
Membership, discounts and add-on fees
CGC offers a free membership tier that is enough to create an account and submit. Paid tiers earn a grading discount: Associate and Premium members save 10%, and Elite members save 20%. If you submit regularly, a paid membership can pay for itself.
| Add-on | Fee |
|---|---|
| Pedigree (ownership noted on label) | Tier fee + $5 |
| CrossOver (re-grade a PSA / Beckett / SGC card) | Charged at the appropriate tier |
| Error designation | No extra fee |
| Custom label | Tier fee + $8 |
| ReHolder (re-case an existing CGC/CSG card) | $10 |
CGC also offers optional subgrades. Confirm the current subgrade fee on CGC's official services page, as add-on pricing changes.
Declared value — read this before you submit
You set a declared value for each card, and that value decides which tier the card qualifies for. If CGC believes a card's fair market value is higher than what you declared, it will move the card to the correct higher tier and bill you the difference. Under-declaring to save money does not work and can leave you with a surprise charge — declare honestly, based on real recent sales.
How to submit a CGC bulk order (step by step)
Bulk grading is how most collectors get cost-per-card down. The process from start to shipped:
- Pre-screen your cards. Bulk only saves money if the cards are worth grading. Check centering, corners, edges and surface under good light and pull anything with an obvious flaw. (See the card prep guide.)
- Confirm the 25-card minimum and that every card is at or under the $500 declared-value cap for the Bulk tier.
- Create a free CGC account and complete the online submission form. List every card and print the packing slip.
- Sleeve each card. Card into a fresh penny sleeve, then into a semi-rigid holder. Do not use toploaders for submission, and do not tape the semi-rigid holder shut.
- Order your cards to match the packing slip exactly. CGC processes them in that order — mismatches cause delays.
- Sandwich and pad. Place the stack between two cardboard pieces larger than the cards, banded snugly but not tightly, then wrapped in bubble wrap.
- Box it. Use a sturdy box, fill empty space so nothing shifts, include the signed packing slip, and ship insured to the address on your form.
- Track the submission through your CGC account once the package is received and logged.
When CGC makes sense
- A large batch of moderate-value cards — Bulk pricing is hard to beat.
- You're grading Pokémon or other TCG cards — CGC has strong market recognition there.
- Cost is your main concern — CGC's entry tiers are among the lowest of the major graders.
- You want a faster mid-tier option — CGC's Standard turnaround is competitive.
CGC is less commonly the pick for high-end vintage sports cards aimed at maximum resale, where PSA's premium is strongest.