Pokémon Card Grading for Beginners: What You Need to Know

You've got some Pokémon cards. Maybe you pulled something decent from a pack. Maybe you found your old childhood collection in a box at your parents' house. Either way, someone's mentioned "grading" and you're wondering what that actually involves.

What Is Card Grading?

Card grading is a professional service where trained experts evaluate your card's physical condition and assign it a numerical grade on a scale of 1 to 10. The card then gets sealed inside a tamper-proof plastic case (called a "slab") with a label showing the grade, card details, and a unique certification number.

That's it, really. You send them a card, they tell you how good the condition is, and they seal it up safely.

Why Do People Bother?

Two main reasons. First, a high grade can significantly increase a card's value. A raw Charizard might sell for £50, but the same card graded as a perfect 10 could sell for £200 or more. The grade gives buyers confidence about exactly what condition they're getting.

Second, the slab protects the card. Once a card is graded and sealed, it's shielded from handling damage, humidity, dust, and UV light. For cards you want to keep long-term, it's the best preservation method available.

What Do the Grades Mean?

A 10 is essentially perfect. No visible flaws even under magnification. A 9 has one or two tiny imperfections. An 8 has minor but visible wear. Below that, you're looking at cards with increasing levels of damage or factory defects.

The jump in value between grades isn't linear. The gap between a 9 and a 10 is usually much larger than the gap between a 7 and an 8. Collectors pay a premium for perfection.

Which Cards Should You Grade?

Not every card is worth grading. The fee is typically £10 to £20 per card, so the card needs to be valuable enough to justify that cost. As a rough guideline, consider grading cards worth £30 or more in raw condition, especially if they're in great shape.

Cards worth less than £15 raw generally aren't worth the cost unless you're grading for personal reasons rather than financial ones.

How Does It Work?

The basic process: pick your cards, sleeve them properly, fill out a submission form online, post them to the grading company via tracked delivery, and wait. Turnaround times range from one week to a month depending on the service level you choose. Your cards come back in their slabs, ready to display, sell, or store.

Do You Need to Use an American Company?

No. There are grading services based right here in the UK. Domestic shipping is cheaper, faster, and simpler. No customs, no import VAT, no weeks of international transit. For most cards, a UK grading service is the practical choice.