If you are asking yourself, ‘where can I get my sports cards graded in the UK’, and want to compare US vs UK grading services, you are in the right place. Many UK sports card collectors will be looking for trading card grading services, whether it’s to make money selling the cards, or for nostalgia, and there are lots of options to consider—with Get Graded being right at the top of the list for fast turnaround times, affordable prices, excellent quality, and trustworthy services.
Why Grade Your Sports Cards?
Before looking into ‘where can I get my sports cards graded in the UK’, you might want to know why you would get sports cards graded in the first place. From sports card authentication UK, protection, getting a jump in card value, and ease of re-selling, grading offers many benefits—but that doesn’t mean that every sports card should get graded!
There are four key benefits to grading your sports cards:
- For protection – the slab you get from a card being graded will protect the card and preserve it in the long-term, so you and buyers can benefit from ease of mind
- To prove authenticity – autographed and vintage cards are authenticated when graded, making them more appealing to buyers as they are guaranteed to be what is claimed
- You want to sell the card fast – buyers don’t have to be subjective when they are looking at a graded card, and they will know exactly what they are getting with their purchase, leading to easier and faster sales
- Grading offers a significant jump in value – getting a card graded means that the value of the card is basically set in stone, and you can’t be tricked into underselling it. When a card is graded, the objective assessment determines the quality and authenticity of the card, making them highly appealing to investors and collectors
Where Can You Get Sports Cards Graded in the UK?
So, where can I get my sports cards graded in the UK? Sports card grading UK can be done by many different companies, including PC Grading or by the Majesty Grading Company, but us here at Get Graded are a fast, easy, and affordable grading solution that fits all of your grading needs!
You might also consider sending your cards to a US-based grading company, but we will go through why that might not be the best idea in a section below. If you are based in the UK and want professional grading completed at the highest quality and for the best price, Get Graded is the best choice for you.
UK vs US Grading Services – What’s the Difference?
Now that you have an answer to ‘where can I get my sports cards graded in the UK’, you might be wondering—what is the difference between US and UK grading services? There are not many key differences to note, but with constant changes to VAT, postage, and more, there are a few things that are worth mentioning, from import duties and VAT, cost and turnaround time, and even reputation.
US-Based Grading Services | UK-Based Grading Services |
Home to larger grading companies like PSA, Beckett, and more, which have a long-standing reputation | Home to well-known, but still less famous companies like PG Grading, Majesty Grading Company, Tree Frog Grading, and us here at Get Graded |
Generally have higher grading costs | Generally have lower grading costs than US graders |
Long turnaround and wait times | Faster turnaround and shorter wait times |
Shipping/postage can be incredibly expensive, even if you are located within the US | More affordable shipping/postage if you are already in the UK |
Constant worry over changing tariff regulations that can heavily impact pricing and company ability to take cards from overseas collectors | No concerns over changing tariff regulations that can impact card grading |
How Does the Sports Card Grading Process Work?
Sports card grading works the same as other types of card grading—the overall condition and authenticity of the cards are analysed by third-party grading professionals (like us) to determine the grade on a scale of poor—mint (or, in some cases, gem mint). To get your cards graded, you will need to pay for the service and post them to us, and we will promptly grade your trading cards and get them back to you in no time.
Sports card grading UK follows the same rules for Pokémon grading, whether you have cricket, football, or any other kind of sports trading card. Here are the basic steps you need to follow to get your cards graded at Get Graded:
- Select the card/s you would like to send to us
- Prepare the cards and place them into perfect fit or penny sleeves
- Place all cards into Toploaders or Semi-Rigids (never use any kind of tape!)
- Securely package your cards (make them bombproof to avoid damage in transit!)
- Send the cards to Get Graded (we recommend that you go fully insured & tracked service)
Tips for Preparing Your Cards Before Grading
Before you send your cards for grading, there are three important steps that you need to follow: examining the cards for imperfections, carefully cleaning the cards, and securely packaging your cards. These must be done to ensure that you are sending the right cards for grading (i.e. ones that are less likely to make you lose money), the cards have the best chance of getting a good grading, and the cards arrive at the grading centre in one piece and undamaged.
You can prepare your cards for grading by:
- Examining the cards for imperfections – before you send your cards for grading, you should examine each and every card you are thinking about sending for imperfections that could impact the grading to see if they are actually worth grading. This is only important if you are planning on selling the cards, and want to make sure that you will not be losing money from grading costs. We will explain what to look out for when examining your cards below.
- Carefully cleaning the cards – make sure that you work on a clean surface and clean your cards very carefully to remove any dust, lint, stains, or anything else before placing them in a sleeve for packaging. Ensure that your hands are also clean, and anything you use (preferably a microfiber cloth) is clean, too.
- Securely packaging the cards – to package your cards to be sent off for grading, you should place them in soft sleeves, then into a semi-rigid cardholder for protection. Go the extra mile and secure the goods in bubble wrap and use a sturdy box for sending. Make sure to follow the instructions you are given, as you may need to write on the box.
When examining your cards for any kind of damage that could impact the grade it receives, you can look for the following, both with your naked eye and with the use of a magnifying glass:
- Scratches
- Water damage
- Bending in the structure
- Whitened borders
- Any stamps
- Planarity (if it lies flat on a table)
- Any tampering with the borders
- Clouding (colours are dulled)
- Discolouration from any source
- Any other visible damage
Why Choose Get Graded for Your UK Sports Card Grading?
When you choose Get Graded for all your grading needs, you can enjoy professional grading services, fantastic protective slabs, no international shipping delays, no import duties, fast returns, and more—what’s not to love? With us, you can get the most out of your money and enjoy a fast and reliable service like nowhere else.
So, where can I get my sports cards graded in the UK? The answer lies with us at Get Graded! Submit your sports cards to Get Graded today for expert UK-based grading and fast turnaround — start your submission now. Or, find out about our shop or service pricing, population report, or CERT checker, and create an account or find your nearest store now.