How to Ship Games to CGC: Packaging, Insurance, and Mistakes to Avoid

Proper shipping is the last step between you and a successful CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) grading submission — and one of the most overlooked. Your sealed game survived decades in good condition; don't let poor packaging ruin it in transit. This guide covers the right packaging materials, insurance levels, carrier options, and the seven most common shipping mistakes that damage games before CGC even opens the box.

What You Need for Shipping to CGC

Proper shipping to CGC requires the right materials and approach. The goal is simple: your game should arrive in exactly the same condition it left your hands, with zero movement inside the package during transit.

Step 1: Inner Wrapping

Wrap your sealed game in acid-free tissue paper or soft foam wrap. This protects the shrink wrap surface from scratching against packaging materials. Never use newspaper (ink transfer), tape directly on the seal (adhesive damage), or rough materials that could scratch the case. The inner wrap should be snug but not tight enough to create pressure on the seal.

Step 2: Padding and Protection

Surround the wrapped game with bubble wrap — at least 2 inches on all sides. For high-value games, use 3-4 inches of padding. The bubble wrap should be thick enough to absorb impacts from drops and rough handling. Some collectors use foam inserts cut to fit, which provide even more consistent protection.

Step 3: Choose the Right Box

Use a rigid corrugated box slightly larger than the padded game. The box should be sturdy enough that you can't easily flex it by hand. For single games, a 8x6x4 or 10x8x4 inch box works well. For batch submissions, scale up accordingly but ensure each game is individually wrapped and padded.

Step 4: Fill Voids

Fill every void in the box with packing peanuts, crumpled paper, or additional bubble wrap. The game should not shift at all when you shake the box. Any movement during transit means the game is hitting the box walls, which can cause corner damage, edge wear, or seal issues — exactly the defects that lower CGC grades.

Step 5: Double-Boxing for High-Value Games

For games worth $1,000+ raw, double-box your shipment. Place the inner box (containing the padded game) inside a larger outer box with 2+ inches of padding between the boxes. Double-boxing provides an extra layer of protection against drops, punctures, and crushing. The additional cost is trivial compared to the value you're protecting.

Insurance and Carrier Options

Always ship with tracking and insurance equal to the game's full declared value. Your insurance options include:

• USPS Priority Mail with insurance — Good for lower-value submissions. Insurance up to $5,000 available
• UPS with declared value — Reliable tracking and handling. Good for mid-value submissions
• FedEx with declared value — Similar to UPS with strong tracking
• Third-party insurance (Shipsurance, ParcelGuard) — Often cheaper than carrier insurance for high values
• For games worth $5,000+, consider registered mail or specialized collectibles shipping services

7 Common Shipping Mistakes

• Not enough padding — The #1 mistake. If the game can shift inside the box, it can be damaged
• Using tape on or near the seal — Adhesive can damage shrink wrap. Only tape the tissue paper to itself, never to the game
• Weak or used boxes — Reused boxes may have weakened walls. Use new, rigid corrugated boxes
• Under-insuring — Saving $10 on insurance to protect a $500+ game is the worst kind of false economy
• No inner wrap — Bubble wrap directly on shrink wrap can leave texture marks. Use tissue paper first
• Shipping without tracking — If the package is lost, you have no proof and no recourse
• Waiting too long to ship — Complete your CGC submission form and ship within a day or two. Don't let the game sit in its shipping box for weeks

Shipping Costs to Factor into ROI

Shipping costs are part of your total grading investment and should be included in ROI calculations. Typical one-way shipping costs: USPS Priority Mail $10-20, UPS/FedEx Ground $15-30, insurance $5-30 depending on declared value, packaging materials $5-15. Round-trip shipping (to CGC and return) typically adds $30-60 to your total grading cost.

Bottom Line

Proper shipping to CGC takes 15-20 minutes and costs $15-40 — a small investment to protect games worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. Follow the five steps: inner wrap, padding, rigid box, void fill, and double-box for high-value games. Always ship with tracking and full insurance. The worst grading outcome is a game that arrives damaged because of preventable shipping mistakes.