CGC Begins Full-Time TCG Grading in Hong Kong
CGC has expanded its card grading operation in Hong Kong, with trading card games now being authenticated, graded and encapsulated there on a full-time basis rather than routinely being sent to the company’s headquarters in Sarasota, Florida. The change is aimed at collectors and dealers throughout Hong Kong and the wider Asian market, allowing eligible TCG submissions to remain closer to home during the grading process. CGC says there is no additional fee for having qualifying cards graded locally in Hong Kong.
CGC first began offering card grading services through its Hong Kong office in May 2024, but the latest expansion establishes a permanent local grading operation specifically for trading card games. The Hong Kong grading team includes experienced graders relocated from other CGC operations as well as locally trained graders, a combination the company says is intended to maintain its worldwide grading standards while incorporating knowledge of the Asian card market.
“Bringing full-time TCG grading to Hong Kong is an important next step in our efforts to better serve the card collecting community in the region,” says Steven R. Eichenbaum, CEO of the Certified Collectibles Group. “Our company has been in the region since 2008, when we began offering services for coins, becoming the first international coin grading service with an Official Submission Center in China. As demand for our services continues to increase, we are strengthening our commitment to making it even easier for collectors to submit their cards for expert, third-party certification.”
“We are honored to be able to provide collectors and dealers in Asia with easier access to our expert and impartial authentication, grading, and encapsulation services,” he adds.
The new Hong Kong operation currently applies only to TCGs. Sports cards, non-sports cards and orders that mix TCGs with other types of cards will continue to be sent under insurance to CGC’s Sarasota headquarters for grading. Once completed, those cards are shipped back with insurance to the Hong Kong office for return to customers.
CGC says every card it certifies is placed in its crystal-clear holder and backed by the company’s guarantee of authenticity and grade. Nearly 20 million cards have been certified since CGC’s card grading service was established by the Certified Collectibles Group in July 2020.
The company will continue offering on-site grading at selected collecting events in Asia in addition to the new permanent Hong Kong service. One example is the Asia Super Collectors Convention in Macau from October 9 through October 11, where CGC is providing on-site grading. The company says those event-based services can offer even faster turnaround times for customers who request them before or during participating shows. CGC plans to announce future shows offering on-site grading, along with applicable submission deadlines, through its website and social media channels.
Collectors can submit cards to CGC in Hong Kong either directly through the company’s Hong Kong office or through an Authorized Dealer. Visits to the office are available by appointment only, with operating hours from 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday.