ACE Card Grading Review

Ace Grading caught our attention with grading starting at $25 per card (for non-AceSelect members) and unique label designs. However, the fact that we had to send all our cards to the UK limits this service to US collectors.

But our Ace card grading review revealed that inbound shipping may be free when you meet specific requirements. All our card submissions received their grades within 30 business days, though that excludes return shipping time and door delivery. Ultimately, Ace’s $35 fixed return shipping fee is attractive for US collectors who can meet its 20-card minimum submission.

Accepts TCGs, sports cards, stickers, and more

Ace Grading currently accepts standard-sized sports and TCGs. These include Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Magic: The Gathering, Lorcana, and Upper Deck products.

Regular Topps and Panini cards, stickers, and official metal cards are also welcome. You can even send in Printing Plate sports cards.

The accepted dimensions and thickness requirements for each card are as follows:

Card	Size dimensions and thickness
TCG cards	6.3 cm x 8.8 cm
Sports cards	6.4 cm x 8.9 cm
Thicker sports-sized or patch cards	Up to 360 pt (9 mm)

As of now, not every card type or product is accepted here. For instance, it doesn’t accept Pokémon Carddass-sized cards, jumbos, comics, and more.

On the website, you’d find a complete listing of what it accepts and doesn’t. If the cards you want to send fall in its unsupported list, you might want to look elsewhere.

You can check out our CGC card grading review. That brand offers grading services for most sizes and products, including comics and jumbo-sized TCGs.

Ace gives you grading details and three label designs

The company is transparent about what it evaluates when assigning grades. Not only do you get the final grade on the card, but there are also scores for other areas. These include centering, surface, edges, and corners.

This detail helps you understand how each area of your card contributes to its final grade. If a card has whitening along its edges or dents, it’ll be graded lower than one without these problems.

Ace’s website has a page that explains the different factors that are checked before the final grade is assigned. That information can give you insight into issues that can affect the grade of a card.

There’s also a population report that shows how many cards have the same grade and more. Next up is the company’s label options.

It's way different from the packaging we got during our SGC card grading review. Instead of one design like SGC, we had three options to pick from:

• Standard label – Original brand design using a gold and black theme.
• Color Match label – Uses the two main colors from your card.
• Ace label – Takes artwork from your card.

The three designs let us choose how we want the slabs to match our collection. However, two designs add to the submission cost.

Color Match label is $1.25 per card, and the Ace label is $4.05 per card. So, you’ll need to factor the extra charge into your total submission cost. You won’t be charged for Standard label designs.

Ace Grading turnaround time and cost vary by service level

This company has 5 service levels, so the amount you pay depends on how quickly you want your cards graded.

The brand also has two separate tiers for its AceSelect members: Core and Value. These are the current published US prices for each service level on the website:

Service level	Price per card	Estimated turnaround times
Basic	$25	30 business days
Standard	$33	15 business days
Premier	$43	10 business days
Ultra	$80	5 business days
Luxury	$160	2 business days
Core	$16	75 business days
Value	$20	60 business days

These rates are more reasonable compared to the prices we found in our PSA card grading review. PSA’s Standard tier starts at $59.99 per card, with a turnaround time of 90-100 business days.

On the other hand, Ace’s Basic tier costs less than half and has a shorter turnaround time. Still, it's easy to see the price increase as you move from Basic to Luxury.

For us, choosing the Ultra or Luxury tier only makes sense when you have a deadline. If we just want to grade cards for our personal collection, a cheaper tier is the better route.

After all, the card-collecting hobby does require having a little patience. However, you might want to take one of the quicker options if you want to sell quickly.

In such cases, you might be willing to pay more to reduce the grading wait time. But there’s a catch: the prices shown in the table above aren't the full submission cost.

Based on the site’s published information, shipping and specific label charges aren’t part of its grading prices. You’ll need to include those fees in your budget.

Turnaround time doesn’t include shipping

The turnaround time starts on the first full business day after your submissions arrive. It ends when the brand sends the invoice. Bank holidays, weekends, arrival day, and return shipping time aren’t included.

Once you’ve settled the invoice, it may take up to two working days for the order to ship. Paying for the Luxury tier doesn’t mean the whole process finishes in two days. You still have to allow time for shipping and dispatch to your location.

Ship from the US and back with DHL Express service

Ace Grading does international inbound and outbound shipping to several countries, including the US. The grading company partners with DHL Express for all of its orders. You can only send and receive orders via this courier.

The minimum number of cards for submission in the US is 20. DHL Express collects orders from Ace mostly during the mid-to-late afternoon on business days. Collections don’t take place on bank holidays or weekends.

Its shipping information states that international collectors can qualify for free inbound shipping. All you have to do is follow the instructions on its international submitters page.

Also, the return shipping fee is fixed. As of now, US collectors only have to pay $35. There are no extra costs or customs fees attached.

The process for shipping from the US and back goes like this:

• Inbound shipping: Your cards travel to Ace (minimum of 20).
• Grading: Grading starts 1 business day after arrival.
• Invoice: The invoice will be sent to you after grading is complete.
• Dispatch: After payment, the brand prepares your order for collection.
• Return shipping: DHL Express transports the completed order back to you.

The courier aims to deliver all orders within 1-4 working days after collection from Ace Grading. However, it's not a set timeline. Factors such as customs processing can affect delivery time.

Ace offers reholding, authentication, and crossover services

Grading isn’t the only service the brand is known for. You can also send cards in for reholding, authentication, and crossover. Fees and turnaround time depend on the service level you choose.

Here’s what each service means and when you might need it:

Check your cards to see if they’re real

Authentication verifies whether your card is genuine. It’ll then be moved to one of the brand’s premium slabs. Select this option for cards that may not have value or won’t reach your desired grade.

Replace the holder of already graded slabs

Reholding service replaces the holder or sleeve of an already graded card. You can select it if your previous case is scratched or damaged. It also works if you want to get a new label design.

Re-grade cards from other grading companies

Crossover is simply sending graded cards from other companies to be graded by Ace’s standards. The cards will be carefully moved from their holders and graded. After that, they’ll be encapsulated in Ace Grading slabs with your preferred label design.

We didn’t see this service during our TAG card grading review. But it offered replacement and authentication options.

Check card conditions, label fees, and shipping before submitting

The following tips can help you prepare your cards, manage your funds, and avoid unnecessary delays during your submissions:

Inspect your cards first

You might think your card looks great in your binder till it gets to the experts. Using good lighting, we check our cards before we send them out for grading at Ace. Before submitting a raw card for grading, look at the front and back.

Inspect it for scratches, dents, whitening, off-centering, and edge wear. If you’re unsure, read our guide on how to grade sports cards yourself. It covers everything you need to know about assessing your cards' condition.

Make sure your cards are the appropriate size

Not all cards submitted to Ace for grading will be accepted. The reason is that the grading company has specific dimensions for the cards it accepts. Also, not all types of card formats are accepted.

Prior to your card submissions, go to Ace’s website to verify if your cards meet those specifications.

Consider your spending allowance for label designs

There are three label designs available at the company. Standard is the only one that’s free. Select Standard if you aren’t concerned about looks and just want an expert assessment of your card’s condition.

If looks are important to you, check whether the extra fee for Color Match and Ace label design fits your budget before submitting. Remember that the price for these designs is per card.

Check US submission requirements

Ace Grading has different arrangements for different countries. First, confirm the specific requirements for the US before proceeding with your order.

Look at the minimum amount required for card submissions and return shipping fees.

The free shipping comes with conditions; it’s not automatic. Therefore, follow the instructions carefully so you can get it.

Confirm the total submission cost works for you

The grading fee listed isn’t the only expense to consider. You’ll also need to pay for shipping and label charges for Color Match or Ace designs. If you’re submitting several cards, multiply the total number by the per-card cost listed.

That way, you can estimate the grading portion of your bill. Then do the same for label designs and other costs. By doing this, you’ll be able to better manage your budget.

Quick facts about Ace card grading

• It accepts card submissions from the US.
• Standard-sized TCGs and sports cards are accepted for grading submissions.

You can choose to customize your card collectibles with any of Ace’s label designs.

Turnaround times and grading costs differ depending on the service level you choose.

Shipping costs aren’t included in the stated grading price.

Pros and cons of using Ace Grading

These are the upsides and downsides to using this company for grading:

Pros

• Free inbound shipping (T&Cs apply)
• Customizable label designs
• Detailed grading reports
• Multiple service tiers for pricing

Cons

Located in the UK

Conclusion – Ace offers grading services to US collectors

Ace Grading is better suited for you if detailed reports and impressive label designs are your thing. Speaking of which, it has three label designs, which isn’t something you see at many grading companies.

We appreciate that the brand considers free shipping from the US. But like most things in life, you’ll need to meet some requirements to qualify. Pricing is based on a tiered cost system, so turnaround times are different.

Even the total cost shown for grading excludes the cost of specific label designs and return shipping. High-priced tiers do reduce the turnaround times. But you’ll still need to wait a little for your cards to be shipped and delivered to your location.

Click the on-page banners to visit its official website to test its services.

Ace card grading review FAQs

⁉️How much does Ace Grading cost to grade?

The cost to grade depends on the service tier you select. There are five options, ranging from $25 to $160 per card. Ace also offers two extra service levels for AceSelect members, priced at $16 and $20.

🚢How long will it take for my orders to reach my doorstep?

DHL Express aims to send out all completed orders within 1-4 working days after collection. However, this time frame may be affected by factors such as customs processing and your exact location.

🙋Will the company return cards it doesn’t accept?

Yes, an unaccepted card may be returned without charges according to its terms and conditions. But this rule applies only for certain reasons. You can check the website to see which reasons apply.

🥎What kinds of sports cards can I send in for grading?

The brand does accept standard-size sports cards from Topps, Upper Deck, and Panini. It also supports Printing Plate sports cards.

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