If you’re an SGC grading regular, this SGC Grading Updates post is for you. Bookmark it and check back any time you have a question. It will be updated frequently as needed.
The SGC message boards are often flooded with the same few questions asked over and over again.
Current Turnaround Times at SGC
SGC is definitely still slowed down by a backlog created by some recent grading specials.
Update on April 29, 2025:
As of this date, Boca Card Subs is returning cards submitted on March 25. This means the current turn time is about 25 business days, and 35 calendar days.
This is still beyond the current estimate of 15-20 business days as listed on SGC’s web site.
If you send them large orders of rare or non-standard cards, prepare to wait much longer. A friend’s order of mostly Cuban cards is closing in on 60 days with no status updates.
Why are my cards sitting at the post office?
Your cards are delivered to a P.O. Box, and it seems that SGC does not pick up daily. So if your cards are sitting but marked as “delivered,” rest easy. There are current reports of cards sitting at the post office for over 1 week before pickup.Unfortunately, SGC seems to start your “clock” upon check-in of your order. In my mind, the clock should start once my order arrives at the P.O. Box.
I always submit through Boca Card Subs to avoid high return shipping fees and the initial processing delays. Full disclosure, Boca is an advertiser on Cardhound.
Is USPS slow right now? My cards have been in (insert hub here) for 5 days! Do I panic?
As of March 1, yes, USPS is running slower than usual. In any case, it is not at all uncommon for your cards to sit at a single hub for several days. And a single snow storm in the Midwest can snarl traffic across the entire U.S. A list of current delays can be found here. It is frustrating, but there’s no need to panic.
What are the current grading specials?
No recent specials as or April 29 2025. They are still dealing with backlog from previous specials, it seems.
Does SGC grade my card / set?
The best way to check is to simply look at the Pop Report. The only caveat is that there are some sets they have stopped grading. Desert Shield is one example. But if the set is not even in their pop report, then no, they do not grade it. If in doubt, the best source of current info is their Customer Service form.
Will SGC accept my card in a sealed mag holder? Toploader?
Yes, they will accept them and grade them. But they prefer Card Savers, so just do that if you can.
Does SGC authenticate autographs?
No–pack-pulled autos only. They will return anything else.
Why aren’t my autos graded?
SGC only puts the auto grade on the slab if it is a 10. Otherwise, you will have a card grade only.
Other SGC Grading Updates?
If there is another category of SGC grading updates you would like to see included in this article, just drop a comment of contact us here.
