This Submission Agreement applies specifically to card grading submissions. It works alongside our general Terms of Service, Refund Policy, and Privacy Policy.

Last updated: June 2026

1. Agreement

When you purchase a submission service from HAGS and send cards to us for grading, you enter into a binding agreement with HAGS on these terms. If you do not agree, please do not place an order or send items for grading.

2. Services provided

HAGS provides professional trading card assessment, grading, certification, and encapsulation services as described on the submission product you purchase. Services may include intake logging, condition assessment, authentication review (where applicable), quality control, certificate issuance, and secure return dispatch.

The scope of service depends on the tier and product you select at checkout. See How Grading Works and Grading Standards for further detail.

3. Your responsibilities

You agree to:

• ✦ Provide accurate checkout information, including card details, quantities, and contact details
• ✦ Send only items covered by your order and eligible under our Submission Guidelines
• ✦ Package cards securely for transit and use tracked, insured postage where appropriate
• ✦ Include your order reference and contact details in the package
• ✦ Confirm you own the items submitted or have authority to submit them
• ✦ Not knowingly submit counterfeit, altered, or ineligible items

4. Eligible & ineligible items

Only trading cards and categories explicitly accepted by HAGS may be submitted. Full lists of accepted and non-accepted items are set out in our Submission Guidelines.

HAGS may decline, return ungraded, or handle differently any item that is ineligible, excessively damaged, unsuitable for encapsulation, not listed on your order, or outside the purchased service scope. We will contact you where practical before proceeding if there is a mismatch between your order and the items received.

5. Authentication

Where authentication applies to your card category, HAGS may conduct authenticity checks before or as part of grading. Authentication is an assessment based on available evidence and published criteria — not a guarantee of future market acceptance.

If an item cannot be authenticated to our satisfaction, we may decline to grade it, label it accordingly, or return it ungraded. We will explain the outcome where possible.

6. Grading process & standards

All items are assessed against HAGS published Grading Standards using our documented process and quality-control checks. Grading involves professional judgement applied consistently to condition, surface, corners and edges, centreing, and category-specific factors.

You acknowledge that grading is a subjective professional assessment. While HAGS strives for consistency and transparency, two graders or grading companies may reasonably differ on borderline items.

7. Grades, questions & review

Once a grade is assigned and certification completed following quality control, the grade stands as issued unless a review identifies a material grading or labelling error.

If you have questions about a completed grade, you may contact us and we will explain how the final grade was determined. In the unlikely event you are not satisfied, we can provide detail on the assessment and the factors that contributed to the outcome. See Grade Review & Support.

HAGS does not guarantee any particular grade, market value, or resale outcome. Grading fees are for the assessment and encapsulation service, not a promise of financial return.

8. Shipping & turnaround

Inbound shipping: You are responsible for postage, packaging, and insurance when sending cards to HAGS. We strongly recommend tracked and insured delivery for valuable submissions.

Return shipping: Completed submissions are returned using tracked delivery as described on our Shipping & Turnaround page. You will receive dispatch and tracking information once your order is on its way.

Estimated turnaround times begin when your submission is received and logged, not when you place your order. Times shown on the website are estimates only and may vary during periods of high demand, holidays, or circumstances outside our reasonable control.

9. Risk, loss & liability

HAGS takes secure handling seriously. Items are logged on arrival, stored securely, and tracked through our documented process. However, you acknowledge that shipping and handling carry inherent risk.

HAGS is not responsible for loss or damage occurring during inbound transit where caused by inadequate packaging, carrier handling outside our control, or failure to use appropriate tracked or insured postage. Please follow our packaging guidance carefully.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, HAGS's total liability arising from a submission is limited to the grading fees paid for the affected item(s), except where liability cannot be limited by law (including death or personal injury caused by negligence, or fraud). Nothing in this agreement excludes your statutory rights as a consumer where applicable.

10. Fees & payment

Submission fees are due at checkout at the prices shown on our website at the time of purchase. Fees cover the grading service for the quantity and tier ordered.

If fewer cards are received than ordered, or additional cards are received without payment, we will contact you to resolve the difference before completing service. Refund and cancellation terms are set out in our Refund Policy.

11. Cancellations & unclaimed items

If you wish to cancel before cards are received, contact us promptly with your order reference. Once intake and grading have begun, cancellation may not be possible and fees may remain payable for work completed.

If graded items cannot be returned due to an invalid address, refused delivery, or failure to respond to our contact attempts, we may store items for a reasonable period before further action. We will make reasonable efforts to contact you before any disposal or sale to recover outstanding costs.

12. Records, images & certificates

HAGS may photograph, scan, and record submission details for intake, grading, quality control, certificate issuance, and internal records. Certificate numbers and QR verification may be published in our certificate lookup system as part of the grading service.

Personal data is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

13. Conduct & equal treatment

HAGS provides grading and support based on published standards and service terms — not personal characteristics. We expect all customers and staff to be treated with respect.

Abuse or harassment will not be tolerated. See our Inclusion & Equal Treatment statement.

14. Changes to this agreement

We may update this Submission Agreement from time to time. The version in force when you place your order applies to that submission unless we notify you of material changes before service begins. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page shows when these terms were last revised.

15. Contact

Questions about this agreement or your submission? Contact us with your order reference and we'll be glad to help.