Submitting cards to True Grade Authentication for the first time can feel more complicated than it actually is. TGA, based in Surrey, British Columbia, has a straightforward submission process built specifically with Canadian collectors in mind.
Getting the packaging and paperwork right the first time avoids delays and reduces the risk of damage in transit, which matters just as much as picking the right pricing tier.
Here's the process broken into five simple steps.
None of this requires prior grading experience to follow, and the same core steps apply whether you're submitting one card or a full batch.
Before packaging anything, decide which of TGA's four tiers fits your submission — Value Price, Standard, Express, or Same Day. This decision affects both cost and how you'll want to package and ship your cards.
Confirming current tier pricing directly with TGA before submitting avoids any surprises once your order is processed.
Every card should go into a card saver or penny sleeve before being packaged for shipment, protecting it from handling damage both in transit and during the grading process itself. Never ship a card loose or taped directly to paper.
Taking a clear photo of each card's front and back before shipping gives you a reference in case any condition questions come up later.
The right protective supplies make packaging faster and safer for every card in your submission. EVORETRO's Graded Card Sleeves are ready for cards once they come back from grading.
For organizing a larger submission before it ships, EVORETRO's 9-Pocket Binder Pages keep everything sorted and easy to inventory.
Cards should be packed snugly in a rigid mailer or small box, with padding to prevent shifting during transit to TGA's Surrey address. A loosely packed envelope is one of the most common causes of in-transit damage on grading submissions.
Ship specifically to the submission address — Suite 528, 800-15355 24th Avenue, Surrey, B.C., V4A 2H9 — not the separate appointment-only office drop-off location.
Always use a tracked shipping method when sending cards to any grading company, since untracked packages leave no recourse if something goes missing in transit. The extra cost for tracking is minor compared to the value of the cards being shipped.
Keeping your tracking number and a copy of your submission form on hand makes it easy to follow up if anything seems delayed.
Once shipped, your wait time depends entirely on which tier you selected, ranging from same-day turnaround up to longer waits for Value Price submissions. TGA's certificate verification system lets you check completed grades and population reports once your cards are processed.
Resisting the urge to follow up too early saves both you and TGA's support team unnecessary back-and-forth during normal processing windows.
Before shipping, keeping a simple written or digital record of exactly which cards went into a submission — including photos, tier selected, and approximate value — makes any future follow-up far easier. This record also becomes useful documentation if you ever need to file an insurance claim or dispute a shipping issue.
A few minutes of record-keeping before shipping is a small price for the peace of mind it provides throughout the process.
If a submission appears to be taking longer than the expected window for your chosen tier, checking your tracking number for confirmed delivery is the first step before assuming something went wrong. Delays are more often on the shipping side than the grading side itself.
Reaching out to TGA's support team with your submission details on hand — tracking number, tier selected, and approximate ship date — gets a faster, more useful response than a vague status inquiry.
Suite 528, 800-15355 24th Avenue, Surrey, B.C., V4A 2H9.
Only at the separate office address, and only by appointment.
Yes, every card should be in a saver sleeve or top loader before packaging.
TGA's certificate verification system lets you check completed grades once processed.
Proper prep and packaging make the whole process smoother from start to finish. Browse EVORETRO's toploaders and sleeves collection to get your cards submission-ready, and take the extra few minutes on packaging before anything ships out.
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