SGC Grading Cost 2026: Every Price, Fee and Shipping Cost

Short answer: At the time of writing, SGC grading starts at 50 dollars per card for a standard size raw card with a declared value up to 1,500 dollars, and 85 dollars for cards up to 3,500 dollars. Higher value cards move to a faster, higher priced service that runs from 150 dollars up to 3,750 dollars per card. Return shipping is charged on top, by the number of cards and the shipping method.

SGC has become a popular alternative to PSA, especially for vintage cards and for collectors who like its black slab and tuxedo style label. Below is what SGC charges at each declared value, what reholders and oversized cards cost, what return shipping adds, and how SGC compares with PSA on price. Every number comes from SGC's pricing page, checked on October 4, 2026. Prices change, so check that page before you submit.

SGC grading prices by declared value

SGC prices standard size raw card grading by the card's declared value, which is what you expect the card to be worth once graded. There are two price columns, a lower priced service for cards up to 3,500 dollars and a higher priced service that covers cards from there into the six figures.

On the lower priced service, a card declared at up to 1,500 dollars costs 50 dollars to grade, and a card up to 3,500 dollars costs 85 dollars.

On the higher priced service, a card up to 3,500 dollars costs 150 dollars, up to 7,500 dollars costs 250 dollars, up to 20,000 dollars costs 500 dollars, up to 50,000 dollars costs 1,000 dollars, and up to 100,000 dollars costs 2,000 dollars. Above 100,000 dollars the base fee is 3,750 dollars, plus 375 dollars for each additional 10,000 dollars of card value.

The same pricing applies to crossovers, where you send in a card graded by another company to be moved into an SGC holder, and to reviews. SGC notes that crossovers submitted without a minimum grade will take longer.

For most collectors, the number that matters is the first one. Almost every modern card and a lot of vintage fits under the 1,500 dollar line, which puts it at 50 dollars per card.

Reholders and oversized cards

Reholders. If an SGC slab is scratched, chipped or cracked, SGC will put the card in a new holder without regrading it, as long as the holder has not been opened. Reholders start at 50 dollars for cards valued up to 3,500 dollars and rise with value. If the holder has been opened, the card has to be regraded and the normal grading fee applies.

Oversized cards. Anything larger than 3.5 by 5.5 inches is priced separately. Oversized grading starts at 100 dollars for items up to 1,500 dollars and follows the same value steps as standard cards above that.

Return shipping costs

Return shipping is added on top of the grading fee and depends on how many items you send and how fast you want them back. For a small domestic order of up to five standard size cards, ground shipping runs between 15 and 25 dollars depending on the option. FedEx 2Day starts at 45 dollars and Standard Overnight at 60 dollars for up to 11 cards.

Larger orders cost more in total but less per card. SGC adds a 40 dollar surcharge for domestic packages valued between 10,001 and 250,000 dollars on ground shipping, and between 25,001 and 250,000 dollars on 2Day and overnight. All returns require a signature.

When the turnaround clock starts

SGC states that turnaround begins once your order has been unboxed and logged into its system, not when you ship it. So the real wait is shipping to SGC, plus the time to log the order, plus the posted turnaround, plus return shipping. Check SGC's page for the current turnaround estimate on each service before you choose.

SGC's grading scale

SGC grades from 1 to 10 in half point steps, with two grades at the top.

10 Pristine is SGC's highest grade. SGC describes it as a virtually flawless card with 50/50 centering, crisp focus, four sharp corners, no stains, no breaks in surface gloss, no print or refractor lines, and no visible wear under magnification.

10 Gem Mint requires 55/45 or better centering, sharp focus, four sharp corners, no stains, no print or refractor lines and no visible wear. A slight print spot visible under close scrutiny is allowed if it does not affect how the card looks.

SGC vs PSA on price

At the time of writing, SGC's 50 dollar entry price for cards up to 1,500 dollars sits below PSA's cheapest available tier, Standard, at 59.99 dollars for cards up to 1,000 dollars. PSA's cheaper Value tiers have been paused since June 2026, which has pushed more collectors to compare the two. Our breakdown of PSA grading cost covers every PSA tier.

Price is only part of the decision. Graded cards from different companies can sell for different amounts, and for many modern cards PSA slabs still sell for more. For some vintage cards SGC is widely respected. Before you choose, compare recent sold prices for your card in each company's slab at the grade you expect.

That comparison starts with knowing the card and its likely grade. Cards AI identifies the card from a photo, shows its value from recent eBay sold listings, and gives a Cards AI Grade across centering, corners, edges and surface (AI estimate only), so you can screen out cards that are not worth a grading fee at all.

Many local card shops also run group submissions to the major graders, which can save on shipping if you only have a few cards. For how SGC stacks up against the other big graders on more than price, see our comparison of PSA vs BGS vs SGC vs CGC.

Frequently asked questions

How much does SGC grading cost? At the time of writing, 50 dollars per card for standard size raw cards declared at up to 1,500 dollars, and 85 dollars up to 3,500 dollars. Higher value cards cost from 150 dollars up to 3,750 dollars per card, plus return shipping.

Is SGC cheaper than PSA? At its entry level, yes. SGC starts at 50 dollars per card for cards up to 1,500 dollars, while PSA's cheapest available tier is 59.99 dollars at the time of writing. Resale value in each company's slab can differ, so compare sold prices too.

How much does SGC charge for return shipping? It depends on the number of cards and the method. For up to five standard size cards shipped ground domestically, it runs between 15 and 25 dollars. Faster FedEx options start at 45 dollars.

What is SGC 10 Pristine? SGC's top grade, for a virtually flawless card with 50/50 centering and no visible wear even under magnification. SGC 10 Gem Mint is one step below and requires 55/45 or better centering.

When does SGC turnaround start? Once your order has been unboxed and logged into SGC's system, not when you mail it.