BGS vs CGC
BGS and CGC both print four sub-grades and both offer a perfect top tier. They split on audience. Beckett owns vintage sports and high-end submissions. CGC owns fast, cheap, modern volume. Here is the comparison that matters when you buy either slab.
At a glance
| BGS | CGC | |
|---|---|---|
| Top grade | Pristine 10, Black Label 10 | Pristine 10, Perfect 10 |
| Sub-grades on the label | Yes, four | Yes, four |
| Entry price per card | About $30 | About $18 |
| Entry turnaround | 30 to 45 business days | 20 to 30 business days |
| Slab | Thick, recessed well | Slim, UV resistant |
| Strongest category | Vintage sports, high-end | Modern Pokémon and TCG |
| Resale on modern Pokémon 10s | Mid, Black Label highest | Lower, gap narrowing |
| Best fit | Cards where sub-grades set the price | Bulk modern submissions |
Grading prices and turnaround windows move every quarter. Check the grader's current submission page before you send cards in.
Grading costs and turnaround
List prices in USD, taken from each grader's own submission page and checked in August 2026. Turnaround is the window the grader states, not a guarantee, and queues stretch after big set releases.
BGS grading prices
| Service tier | Price per card | Max declared value | Stated turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base | $25 | $249 | 40 to 55 business days |
| Economy | $30 | $499 | 30 to 45 business days |
| Standard | $50 | $1,499 | About 20 business days |
| Express | $100 | $4,999 | About 10 business days |
| Premium | $250 | $24,999 | About 5 business days |
Sub-grades print on every label. Raw card review and pack grading are priced separately.
CGC grading prices
| Service tier | Price per card | Max declared value | Stated turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk | $18 | $400 | 20 to 30 business days |
| Economy | $22 | $400 | 20 to 30 business days |
| Standard | $35 | $1,000 | About 15 business days |
| Express | $75 | $3,000 | About 8 business days |
| WalkThrough | $150 | $10,000 | About 4 business days |
Bulk needs a 20 card minimum. No membership fee at any tier.
What it costs from the UK
| Cost on top of the fee | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| Postage out (tracked and insured) | £25 to £60 per parcel |
| Return postage and handling | £20 to £45 per parcel |
| Import VAT on the grading service | 20% of the fee |
| Customs handling fee | £8 to £12 per parcel |
Send cards in batches. The postage and customs cost is per parcel, so a single card carries the whole bill while twenty cards split it.
Two ways to read a perfect card
A BGS Black Label 10 needs four 10 sub-grades and it is the rarest slab in the hobby. Collectors pay multiples for it.
CGC awards a Perfect 10 on the same principle, four 10s, but the market has not yet priced it anywhere near a Black Label. That is a gap worth watching rather than betting on.
Cost, speed and volume
CGC is cheaper per card and faster at every entry tier, which is why bulk modern submissions flow there.
Beckett costs more and reads slower, and its value shows up on cards where a buyer will study the sub-grades before paying.
The slabs themselves
Beckett slabs are thick with a recessed inner well, which protects the card well and eats shelf space. Storage and postage cost more.
CGC slabs are slim and UV resistant, closer to PSA in footprint, and stack cleanly in standard graded card boxes.
The verdict
Choose BGS when the card is vintage, expensive, or when a Black Label is realistically in play.
Choose CGC when you are grading modern cards in volume and want them back this quarter.
FAQ
Is BGS better than CGC?
BGS resells higher on vintage and high-end cards, particularly Black Labels. CGC grades faster and cheaper, and it leads on modern Pokémon volume.
Is a CGC Perfect 10 the same as a BGS Black Label?
The grading standard is the same idea, four perfect sub-grades. The market prices the Black Label much higher.
Which slab protects a card better?
Beckett slabs are thicker with a recessed well. CGC slabs are slimmer and UV resistant. Both hold up in normal storage and postage.