FAQ

Standard pricing is $10 per card for submissions of 1–9 cards. A 10-card submission is $50 total, or $5 per card. Published show specials may use different pricing while the promotion is active.

SSC's stated minimum turnaround is 14 days. Turnaround can be longer depending on submission volume, card requirements and shipping.

No. SSC has no valuation-based fees or upcharges. SSC does not appraise cards or assign a monetary value.

NG means No Grade. There are two ways a card can receive NG: a Grade & Encapsulate submission calculated below Grade 3 under SSC policy, or a customer-selected Encapsulate Only submission where no numerical grading is performed. Both receive an SSC certification number and permanent record, but no numeric grade is displayed on the label.

If SSC graded the card and the calculated result fell below 3, the calculated grade is retained internally for SSC records while the public label shows NG. If you selected Encapsulate Only — No Grade, SSC does not run the grading formula and there is no hidden numerical grade.

For Grade & Encapsulate service, a calculated grade below 3 normally becomes NG on the label. SSC may display a 1 or 2 for an older, significant, or higher-value card when preserving the numerical grade is appropriate. Encapsulate Only submissions always display NG because no numerical grading is performed.

Yes. Choose Encapsulate Only — No Grade on the submission form. The fee is $5 per card. SSC identifies the card, assigns an SSC certification number, seals it for protection, and labels it NG. The grading formula is not run.

SSC accepts standard-size sports cards and supported trading card games. Yu-Gi-Oh!, oversized cards and relic cards are not accepted through the standard grading service.

Vintage cards are evaluated with age-appropriate tolerances rather than being treated exactly like modern cards. SSC's grading system identifies applicable card eras and applies the corresponding grading approach.

Pack-pulled autographs can be submitted. Non-pack-pulled autographs require supporting certificate-of-authenticity documentation. SSC grading evaluates the card's condition; SSC does not represent a submitted autograph as independently authenticated unless an applicable authentication process is specifically stated.

Semi-rigid card holders are the preferred submission method because they help protect cards while allowing safe removal during the grading process.

USPS is SSC's standard return-shipping method. Standard USPS insurance applies unless additional coverage is purchased or arranged for the order.

Contact SSC with the certification number and details of the damage. When a slab is damaged due to an SSC issue, SSC covers the applicable return shipping. Standard reslabbing is $5 unless a different current rate or covered-service condition applies.

Yes. Use SSC Certification Lookup and enter the card's SSC certification number to view the available certification record.

Yes, when an authorized SSC Partner Store is available. Partner-store staff use their dedicated SSC submission portal, while SSC maintains the customer, order and certification records.

Grades remain hidden during the grading workflow and are released according to SSC's completed-order process rather than being shown while the card is still being graded.