CGC Help Center

For answers to frequently asked questions about CGC membership, submissions, grading and more, scroll below. To contact CGC Customer Service, click here.

Help Topics

Shipping Collectibles to CGC

What service will CGC use to ship my books back to me?

Generally, the default shipping method used by CGC is FedEx.

Shipments within the United States are insured according to the declared value provided by the submitter on the CGC Submission Form(s), with coverage up to $100,000 per package procured by CGC. See the Domestic FedEx shipping rates.

Shipments to international addresses are insured according to the declared value provided by the submitter on the CGC Submission Form(s), with coverage up to $50,000 per package procured by CGC. See the International FedEx shipping rates.

If you have your own carrier account (with FedEx, UPS, USPS Express Mail or another service), contact CGC Customer Service at Submissions@CGCcomics.com or 877-NM-COMIC (662-6642) before submitting in order to make alternate return shipping arrangements. We must have this information on file prior to receiving your submission. Please note that shipments on the submitter’s own account are not insured by CGC.

Will all of my submissions be returned to me in one shipment?

You may submit multiple submission forms to CGC in one shipping box. Your submissions will be returned separately upon completion, depending on tier and turnaround time. For that reason, Each of your submissions is individually calculated for its return shipping and insurance. The online form will automatically group your items by tier and service type and display the associated shipping and handling costs.

Does CGC insure domestic (US) return shipments?

Shipments to US addresses are shipped by CGC via FedEx by default and insured up to $100,000 per package procured by CGC. See the Domestic FedEx Registered Mail Shipping / Insurance Fee Matrix.

If you have private insurance, or if you would like to ship with a carrier other than FedEx, please contact CGC Customer Service at Submissions@CGCcomics.com or 877-NM-COMIC (662-6642) before submitting so that we can place this information on file. We must have this information on file prior to receiving your submission.

In the rare event that a return shipment cannot be located, please contact CGC Customer Service at Submissions@CGCcomics.com or 877-NM-COMIC (662-6642). To make a claim, FedEx will require your tracking/PRO number and completion of the online claim form. Then follow the rest of the easy 5-step process.

Note: Additional charges may apply for extended or remote service areas, heavier packages, added items, etc. Please contact Customer Service if you are shipping collectibles valued over $100,000 per package to a US address.

Does CGC insure international return shipments?

Shipments to international addresses are shipped by CGC via FedEx by default and insured up to $50,000 per package procured by CGC. See the Domestic FedEx Registered Mail Shipping / Insurance Fee Matrix.

If you have private insurance, please contact CGC Customer Service at Submissions@CGCcomics.com or 877-NM-COMIC (662-6642) before submitting so that we can place this information on file. We must have this information on file prior to receiving your submission.

Note: If you submit to NGC International UK Limited (NGC UK) in London, your submission will be fully insured in transit from the international location to CGC headquarters and back to the Official Submission Center. CGC also will handle all customs clearance for such submissions. Grading fees for NGC UK include round-trip shipping, insurance and customs clearance fees. Additional charges may apply for extended or remote service areas, heavier packages, added items, etc. Please contact Customer Service if you are shipping collectibles valued over $50,000 per package.

How much are return shipping costs?

Domestic FedEx shipping fees are calculated according to the fee schedule here. Please note that additional charges may apply for extended or remote service areas, heavier packages, added items, return mint packaging, etc.

Shipping costs for international shipments vary based on the destination, weight and, sometimes, value of the package. If your submission will be returned to a non-US address, CGC will charge the international FedEx rate at the time that your submission is received. If this amount does not cover the total cost of return shipping, you will be charged the additional cost at the time that your submission is shipped. You can get a rate by visiting the FedEx website.

What is the customs procedure and shipping costs for international shipments?

If you are submitting from outside the US, the burden of proof as to where the books shipped from falls to you. CGC recommends that you visit your local customs office before shipping your submission and explain your intentions for these comics — that they are yours and are being sent to the US for evaluation only. They will provide you with a form that should accompany your comic submission, and, when the books are returned with this form, the package will not be called into question.

If we receive a submission without this form, we will return the books with any claim stickers that were affixed to the original box. This can sometimes work as proof of where the books shipped from. The value that we will declare on the package is the amount paid for the grading of the books, and they will be noted from the country of origin goods being returned, shipped to the US for evaluation only. Return shipping to locations outside the US requires special duties and shipping charges.

To see current return shipping fees for international shipments, click here. (Scroll to the table listing FedEx International Rates.) If you have further questions, please contact CGC Customer Service at 877-NM-COMIC.

What happens if my package is damaged in transit to CGC?

Any damaged, unsealed or poorly sealed packages will be rejected and returned by the shipper. Please securely seal packages with reinforced shipping tape to prevent tampering en route.

How long will my package take to be delivered?

The following times are estimates based on CGC's experiences with these carriers and services.

For shipments to a US address:

  • FedEx: Overnight, 2 business days or 3 business days (based on selection)
  • USPS Registered Mail: 5-7 business days
  • USPS Express Mail: overnight
  • UPS: Overnight, 2 business days or 3 business days (based on selection)

For shipments to international addresses:

Note: Times do not include the customs clearance process, which may vary by country.

  • FedEx: 3-5 business days
  • USPS Registered Mail: 7-14 business days
  • USPS Express Mail: 5-7 business days
  • UPS: 3-7 business days

Still not finding an answer? Contact CGC Customer Service at 1.855.GRADE.10 or Service@CGCcomics.com.