Beckett (BGS) grading of Pokémon cards, explained from A to Black Label.
BGS is Beckett Grading Services, one of the world's three big grading companies. They are known for sub-grades, the legendary Black Label 10, and thick archival-quality slabs. Here is the complete guide: what BGS is, how sub-grades work, what it costs, and how to submit your cards through Slabbed.eu.
Beckett Grading Services, in short
BGS is a US grading service that assesses trading cards and seals them in protective slabs. It was founded by Beckett Media, an authority on card values since 1984. BGS grades Pokémon, One Piece, Lorcana, Magic the Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh, sports cards and everything in between.
What sets BGS apart from other companies is the combination of an overall grade and four separate sub-grades. Sub-grades make it transparent exactly where a card is strong or weak, and are why BGS is often favoured by investors and high-end collectors.
The four sub-grades and Black Label
Every BGS card is assessed on four dimensions. Each sub-grade is a rating from 1 to 10. The overall grade reflects the overall impression and is typically pulled down slightly relative to the lowest sub-grade.
How centered the card's print is, measured on the front and back.
Wear, whitening and sharpness on all four corners.
Edges checked under a loupe for chipping, whitening and nicks.
The surface for print lines, scratches, holo scratches and fingerprints.
Black Label 10
If all four sub-grades hit exactly 10.0, the card receives the legendary Black Label. It is extremely rare, and a Black Label 10 can sell for many times the price of a standard BGS 10. It is the pinnacle for modern Pokémon investment cards.
How to read the BGS scale from 1 to 10
| Grade | Label | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Pristine | As close to perfect as a card can be. |
| 9.5 | Gem Mint | Flawless to the naked eye, minimal deviations under a loupe. |
| 9 | Mint | Near perfect, minor cosmetic flaws. |
| 8.5 | NM-MT+ | Very strong condition, small flaws. |
| 8 | Near Mint - Mint | Solid collector quality. |
| 7 and below | Near Mint to Poor | Visible signs of wear, common for vintage cards. |
BGS prices through Slabbed.eu
Prices below are per card, including Beckett's own grading fee, Slabbed.eu's handling and applicable taxes. Shipping is added. Insurance is not included. BGS never adds a surcharge: the price per card is the same regardless of the card's value.
- 75+ business days
- Up to ~€1,500 per card
- Modern cards, set and volume submissions
- ~15 business days
- Up to ~€5,000 per card
- Vintage, expensive chase cards, cards you want to sell fast
The from-price applies to 10+ cards in one submission. Bulk discount: BGS 5% from 5 cards and 10% from 10, CGC 3% from 5 cards and 5% from 10. The BGS price per card never goes below DKK 240.. On smaller submissions the standard price per card applies. Indicative prices. The final price is confirmed before submission based on current exchange rates and Beckett's applicable fees.
What you can realistically expect
Beckett's own turnaround times apply from when the cards are registered with them, not from when you send them off. On top of Beckett's time, allow for:
- 1-3 business days with us for QA, photographing and packing.
- 5-10 business days shipping to the US, insured.
- Beckett processing time: 15 business days (Express) or 75+ business days (Base).
- 5-10 business days returning to us and on to you, insured.
What happens if Beckett pauses?
If Beckett temporarily closes for submissions, we store your cards insured until the service reopens. If the price rises, an amount matching the increase may be added.
BGS vs PSA vs CGC
There is no single right answer as to which company is best. It depends on the card, your goal, and the buyer base. Here are the key differences at a glance:
| Company | Strengths | Turnaround | Slab |
|---|---|---|---|
| BGS (Beckett) | Sub-grades, Black Label on a perfect 10, historically strong on modern and investment cards. | 15 to 75+ business days | Thick, archival-quality slab with an inner pocket |
| PSA | Widest recognition, highest resale value on vintage Pokémon, strong US secondary market. | Currently variable, often 45 to 90 business days | Classic PSA slab, popular with collectors |
| CGC | Competitive pricing and fast turnaround, strong for Japanese Pokémon. | 20 to 60 business days | Clean, modern slab with a tamper-evident seal |
A BGS submission through Slabbed.eu, step by step
- 1. Create an account and submission on Slabbed.eu. Choose BGS Base or Express and add your cards with set, number and declared value.
- 2. Pay online. The price covers Beckett's grading fee, our handling and applicable taxes.
- 3. Send us the cards. Pack in penny sleeves and top loaders, between two layers of cardboard, and ship tracked and insured.
- 4. We QA and photograph every card. You see the photos in your account before we send it onward.
- 5. We submit to Beckett in one insured combined shipment. You follow the status live.
- 6. Returned to you once the slabs come home, insured tracked shipping with documentation for every grade.
Insured from door to door
From the moment we receive the cards until they are back with you, they are insured. We photograph every submission and update status at every step, so you always know where your cards are.
Frequently asked questions about BGS
Can I send sports cards to BGS through Slabbed.eu?+
No. BGS currently only accepts non-sports cards through our submission account, meaning Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Lorcana and similar trading cards. Sports cards such as football, basketball and baseball cannot be submitted to BGS via Slabbed.eu right now.
What does BGS stand for?+
BGS stands for Beckett Grading Services. It is the professional grading arm of Beckett Media, which has been assessing sports cards since 1984 and trading cards, including Pokémon, One Piece, Lorcana, Magic and Yu-Gi-Oh, for more than two decades. Beckett is known for using sub-grades and for the iconic Black Label on a perfect 10.
What is the difference between a BGS 10 and a BGS Black Label 10?+
A BGS 10 (Pristine) means the card gets an overall 10. A BGS Black Label 10 requires that ALL four sub-grades (Centering, Corners, Edges, Surface) are exactly 10.0. Black Label is extremely rare and can multiply a card's value compared to a regular BGS 10.
How do you read a BGS grade?+
A BGS card gets an overall grade from 1 to 10 in half steps (and steps of 0.5 up to 9.5, then 10). Below the overall grade are the four sub-grades: Centering, Corners, Edges and Surface. The overall grade is typically lower than the lowest sub-grade to reflect the overall impression.
What does BGS grading cost through Slabbed.eu?+
BGS Base starts at €25.89 per card and BGS Express at €98.18 per card on submissions of 10+ cards. On smaller submissions the price is €27.84 for Base and €109.09 for Express. The price includes Beckett's own grading fee, Slabbed.eu's handling and applicable taxes. Shipping and insurance are added and confirmed before submission.
What happens if Beckett pauses submissions?+
If Beckett temporarily closes for new submissions, we store your cards insured and securely with us until Beckett reopens. If Beckett's prices rise during the pause, a surcharge matching the increase may apply. We contact you before sending anything on, so you can choose to wait or get your cards back.
How long does BGS grading take?+
Beckett's own turnaround times are around 15 business days for Express and 75+ business days for Base, counted from when the cards are received at Beckett. On top of that, allow 1-2 weeks for shipping to and from Beckett. We keep you updated throughout via your Slabbed.eu account.
Is BGS better than PSA for Pokémon cards?+
It depends on the card. Vintage Pokémon (Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, Neo) typically sells for higher prices in PSA slabs. Modern Pokémon, especially chase cards and alt-arts, often does as well or better in BGS, where sub-grades can document the quality. Investment collectors often chase a BGS Black Label 10 as the pinnacle.
Can I get my BGS grade cracked and regraded?+
Yes, this is called a crossover or regrade. We offer to crack an existing slab and resubmit the card to BGS or another company. It is a risk, because the card has to leave its protection, but it can make sense if you think a higher grade is within reach.
How do I pack my Pokémon cards for BGS grading?+
Put each card in a penny sleeve, then in a top loader or semi-rigid holder. Never tape directly onto the card. Pack several cards in a team bag or card saver, place them between two layers of cardboard and ship tracked and insured to our address. See the full guide on the Grading process page.
Ready to get your cards BGS graded?
Create a submission, pay online, send us the cards and follow them all the way to Beckett and back. Fixed prices, taxes included, insured all the way.