For most AFL cards, no. It tends to pay only when the card is scarce, the player is in demand and the condition is close to perfect. With PSA, CGC or Beckett, grading costs real money in US dollars, the card goes overseas, and the wait runs to months on the cheaper tiers. A low grade earns no refund, so the check to do first is what that exact card has actually sold for.
What does grading an AFL card do?
A grading company checks the card is genuine, gives it a grade from 1 to 10 and seals it in a case with a label. That gives a buyer an independent opinion on condition, which is useful for an expensive card and of little use for a cheap one. Footy Stars and Teamcoach are two well known AFL ranges, and the same sums apply to both.
What does it cost?
At November 2026, PSA's pricing page lists its Value tier at US$39.99 a card with an estimated 90 to 100 business days, and Standard at US$59.99 with 70 to 80. PSA can also require a higher fee if it values a card above the tier's limit. CGC's notices list Economy at US$20 and Standard at US$55 a card for submissions to its Florida headquarters, and CGC says international pricing is announced separately. It appointed its first official submission centre in Australia in October 2022; whether that still stands has not been checked here, so ask CGC. Trade press reported Beckett's cheaper tiers closed again in late September, so check with Beckett directly. Fees change often, so read each grader's own page before sending anything.
Tracked international postage each way and insurance come on top of the fee. On a card that sells for a few dollars, those costs alone settle the question.
Which AFL cards are worth considering?
Collectors generally look for a few things together, and one on its own is rarely enough:
- A low print run, such as a short print or a numbered parallel
- A player with lasting demand, such as a Brownlow Medal winner or a rookie who went on to a long career
- Condition close to perfect, with sharp corners, clean edges and even borders
A common base card from a high volume set almost never earns the cost back. A card that comes back with a middling grade can also be harder to sell than a clean raw copy, because the number is now on the label for every buyer to see.
How do you check what an AFL card is worth first?
Search recent sold listings for that exact card, including the set, year and parallel. Sold prices matter because an asking price only shows what a seller hopes for. Look for sales of graded copies as well as raw ones, then compare the gap with the full cost of grading.
The Master Vault app can read and name AFL cards, but an AFL card can come back named with no guide price, so do not rely on the app for this step. The sports cards section shows what sellers are asking if a copy happens to be listed, which is useful context and not the same thing as a sold price.
How do you check the likely grade before paying?
The Card Pre-Grader estimates centering, corners, edges and surface from your own photos in 20 to 50 seconds, on the website or in the app. A free account covers up to 15 pre-grades a month. It is an estimate, not a grade from PSA, BGS, CGC or TAG, and glare can hide a fine scratch. If the estimate is well short of the top grades, that may save the postage. For how PSA, CGC and BGS differ, read the PSA vs CGC vs BGS guide.
What are the risks?
Three things catch people out. A parcel can go astray overseas, so use tracking and insurance, and check the insurance limit on the tier you choose. It is easy to overestimate a card you have owned for years, so allow for a lower grade when you do the sums. And prices move, so a sale figure from today may not hold by the time the card comes back from a queue of several months.
Frequently asked questions
Can a local shop send my AFL cards to PSA?
Only if it is one of PSA's appointed dealers. PSA's terms say only those dealers may submit on behalf of individuals, and they prohibit group submissions. PSA's site has a dealer directory, so check before handing over a card.
Is a BGS Black Label realistic for an AFL card?
A Black Label is a Pristine 10 with a 10 on all four subgrades: centering, corners, edges and surface. Treat it as a rare outcome and do not build the sums around it.
Can I sell an AFL card on Master Vault, graded or not?
Yes, by buy now, auction or offers. A seller pays 4% commission plus card processing of 2.9% + A$0.30 on an Australian card, and there is no listing fee on the free plan. The buyer's money is held until the buyer confirms it arrived, 48 hours after the carrier reports it delivered, or 14 days after posting if nothing has been raised. A seller's very first sale waits 7 days more.