No Upcharges, No Surprises – Just Transparent, Fair Card Grading

This article is written for all collectors – especially Flippers, High-End Collectors, and Local Submission Customers – who are tired of hidden costs, customs charges, and surprise upcharges in the grading world.

Grading shouldn’t come with extra stress

If you’ve ever sent a card to be graded overseas, you probably know the feeling: it comes back with the grade you were hoping for… but alongside it, a bill you weren’t expecting. Suddenly, the profit margin is gone. Or worse – you’re forced to pay an extortionate upcharge just to get your card released.

At MGC, we do things differently. Our card grading service is built on fairness, clarity, and zero hidden fees. No upcharges. No customs duty. No surprises. Just honest, consistent pricing for collectors across the UK.

What are grading upcharges?

Upcharges are extra fees added after your card has been graded – often based on the value it receives once slabbed. In practice, this means:

• You send a card using a low-tier service
• The grading company decides it’s now “too valuable” for that tier
• You’re forced to pay a higher fee – sometimes double or triple the original cost

Many collectors have found themselves stuck – unable to get their card back unless they pay the upcharge. It’s frustrating, especially for Flippers trying to manage tight margins or High-End Collectors submitting valuable cards in good faith.

The customs trap

If you’re sending cards abroad, upcharges are only half the story. International submissions often come with import duties, handling fees, and VAT – charges that can add serious cost and delay to your return.

For Local Submission Customers who prefer simplicity and safety, this is a major barrier. Why should grading a card in 2025 still feel like a gamble?

MGC’s pricing is simple – and it stays that way

We believe in clear, upfront pricing. When you submit your cards to MGC, the price you see is the price you pay. We don’t care if your card comes back a Grade 6 or a Grade 10 – it’s your card, and it deserves fairness either way.

We’re also based right here in the UK. That means:

• • No customs duties

• No surprise charges from overseas carriers or governments

Whether you’re submitting one card or one hundred, our Membership programme and Local Submission Hubs make it easier than ever to submit cards confidently – without the stress of what might happen next.

Why this matters more now than ever

With customs policies tightening and the pound fluctuating, UK collectors are more exposed than ever to unpredictable costs when grading overseas. That’s why more and more collectors – from casual fans to serious investors – are choosing MGC as their long-term grading partner.

We’re proud to be a card grading company that people can trust, and we work hard to earn that trust on every submission.

Peace of mind isn’t a bonus – it’s the baseline

If you’re searching for the best card grading company in the UK, make sure you’re not just comparing price lists. Look at the fine print. Ask about upcharges. Ask about customs.

Or skip all of that – and choose a card grading service that’s clear, fair, and made for UK collectors from the ground up.

Submit your cards with MGC – and get back exactly what you expected. No surprises. No stress.