Instructions for determining which tier your item should be submitted under.


First determine whether your figure should be sent in as a standard or custom submission. 
A standard figure is any figure for which we customarily have a case in stock (i.e. vintage carded Star Wars figures).
To view more information visit our What We Grade page.


Standard Tier Items
  1. Consult the chart to see if your figure is a modern or a vintage piece.

  2. Select the appropriate tier code for your figure.

    Q: How do I select the appropriate tier code?
    A: To select the appropriate tier code, two factors need to be taken into account-how quickly you would like your figure returned, and the value of your figure.  Each of the tiers (Archival, Premium, Express & Standard) has a different turnaround time as well as a different value threshold ($1 to $25,000).

    Q: I don’t understand the value thresholds.
    A: Each tier has a maxiumum figure value. Standard tier can only be used for figures valued up to $200. For the complete list of value thresholds visit our Grading Costs and Tiers page.

    Example: your figure is valued at $50.  You may submit your figure under any of the tiers.

    Example: your figure is valued at $300.  You may submit your figure under the Archival, Premium or Express tier, but not the Standard tier, as those items need to be valued at under $200.

    Q: I don’t understand the Archival tier.
    A: The Archival tier is the only tier with minimum prices, and pricing which may be based on the fair market value of your piece.  The rest of the tiers (Premium, Express and Standard) have set prices unless a volume discount is applied or a UV protected case is specified.

    Example: your standard-size modern figure is valued at $1500.  This piece will need to be submitted under the Archival tier, which will automatically include a UV protected case.  Your cost is $60 because that is the minimum price for a standard figure under this tier, and 2.5% of the fair market value of this figure is less than $60.

    Example: your standard-size modern figure is valued at $5000.  This piece will need to be submitted under the Archival tier, which will automatically include a UV protected case.  Your cost is $125 because that is 2.5% of the fair market value of this figure, which is greater than the minimum allowable grading cost of $60.

    Q:I want some of my figures processed under the Premium Tier and some under the Express Tier.  What should I do?
    A: Please list the Premium Tier figures on one submission list and the Express Tier figures on another.  Separate shipping charges will apply.



Custom Tier Items

  1. Measure the length, width and height of your item and add the sides together.

  2. Consult the chart to see which custom category (1-6) best suits your item.

  3. Select the appropriate tier code for your item.

    Q: How do I select the appropriate tier code?
    A: To select the appropriate tier code, two factors need to be taken into account-how quickly you would like your item returned, and the value of your item.  Each of the tiers (Archival, Premium, Express & Standard) has a different turnaround time as well as a different value threshold ($1 to $25,000).

    Q: I don’t understand the value thresholds.
    A: Each tier has a maxiumum figure value. Standard tier can only be used for figures valued up to $200. For the complete list of value thresholds visit our Grading Costs and Tiers page.

    Example: your item is valued at $100.  You may submit your figure under any of the tiers.

    Example: your item is valued at $4000.  You must submit your figure under the Archival tier, as the next fastest tier (Premium) can only accept figures valued at less than $1000.

    Example: your item is valued at $400.  You may submit your figure under the Archival, Premium or Express tier, but not the Standard tier, as those items need to be valued at under $200.

    Q: I don’t understand the Archival tier.
    A: The Archival tier is the only tier with minimum prices, and pricing which may be based on the fair market value of your piece.  The rest of the tiers (Premium, Express and Standard) have set prices unless a volume discount is applied or a UV protected case is specified.
    Example: your item is valued at $3500 and falls under the Custom 1 category.  This piece will need to be submitted under the Archival tier, which will automatically include a UV protected case.  Your cost is $100 because that is the minimum price for a custom figure under the C1-A code, and 2.5% of the fair market value of this figure is less than $100.

    Example: your item is valued at $15,000 and falls under the Custom 5 category.  This piece will need to be submitted under the Archival tier, which will automatically include a UV protected case.  Your cost is $375 because that is 2.5% of the fair market value of this figure, which is greater than the minimum allowable grading cost of $350.

    Q: I want some of my items processed under the Premium Tier and some under the Express Tier.  What should I do?
    A: Please list the Premium Tier items on one submission list and the Express Tier items on another.  Separate shipping charges will apply.



Combining standard and custom pieces into one submission with regard to turnaround time

  1. Combinations of standard and custom pieces submitted under the Standard tier will be returned together.  One shipping charge will apply. 

  2. Combinations of standard and custom pieces submitted under the Express, Premium and Archival tiers will be returned together, based on the later (custom) turnaround time. 


Example: You submit two standard action figures under the Express Tier and two custom 1 items, also under the Express Tier.
  1. You list both items on one submission form and calculate one shipping charge.  Your items will all be returned in 15-20 business days.

  2. You list the standard action figures on one submission form and the custom 1 items on another.  You calculate two separate shipping charges.  Your standard action figures will be returned in 10-15 business days, while your custom 1 items will be returned in 15-20 business days.


Example:  You submit two standard dolls with box flaps under the Premium Tier, two standard dolls with box flaps under the Express Tier, and two custom 3 items, also under the Express Tier.
  1. You MUST list the Premium dolls on a separate submission list, calculating a separate shipping charge.  When this is not done, your order will be delayed pending contact and confirmation of the additional charges.

  2. If you would like to pay only two shipping charges for this submission, the Express items may all be listed on another submission form.  All of the pieces would be returned together in 15-20 business days.

  3. If you would like the standard dolls submitted under the Express tier returned before the custom 3 items are finished, these should be listed on a separate submission form from the custom 3 items, with a separate shipping charge.  You would then need to calculate three separate shipping charges for this submission.
A Special Note Concerning Dolls
Boy’s toys dolls (i.e. 12” Han Solo, Indiana Jones) should be submitted through Toygrader, not Dollgrader.
  1. Be sure to choose the correct pricing with regard to whether or not your doll has a flap.

  2. If your doll is in a box that opens to reveal a window (i.e. Planet of the Apes), be sure to take your measurements for a custom case with the flap open, as that is the way the piece will be cased.
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