CGC Mechanical Errors / Return Policy

Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) accepts returns when a submitter receives a collectible back with a holder defect or when the CGC label has a typographical error. These returns are called Mechanical Errors.

Qualifying Mechanical Errors are corrected free of charge to the submitter. Many of the Mechanical Error submissions that are received by CGC do not qualify, however, because they were caused by the customer’s improper packing, storage or handling (such as drops). As a result, CGC has updated its Mechanical Errors returns policy for clarity, consistency and efficient processing.

There are two types of Mechanical Errors:

Holder defects, which may be returned by the original submitter within 14 days of the submitter’s receipt of the collectible.

Note: If you are submitting through an CGC Official Submission Center or Authorized Dealer, please contact them to make a return, or contact CGC Customer Service directly.

Label defects, which may be returned by anyone at any time.

Read on for more details about holder and label defects.

Note: If you believe your CGC-certified collectible is not genuine or overgraded, this should be submitted under CGC’s free Appearance Review service. For more information, click here.

Holder defects

What qualifies as a holder defect?

Obvious scratches, scuffs and/or blemishes in or on the holder that cannot be safely removed qualify as Mechanical Errors. Certain debris, such as obvious dust, loose particles or other material that is not naturally shed by the collectible itself, is also considered a holder defect.

What does not qualify as a holder defect?

Optical distortions or effects, such as rainbows or other prismatic effects that are natural phenomena related to light passing through the holder are NOT considered holder defects, and do not qualify as Mechanical Errors. Neither do scratches, scuffs or blemishes on the inside of the holder that were caused by contact with the collectible.

Who can submit a holder defect for Mechanical Error?

Only the original submitter can submit a holder defect as a Mechanical Error. Note: If submitted through an CGC Official Submission Center or Authorized Dealer, please contact them to make a return, or contact CGC Customer Service directly.

How long do I have to submit a holder defect for Mechanical Error?

The original submitter must return a holder defect to CGC within 14 days of receiving the collectible.

How much does a Mechanical Error cost?

Qualifying Mechanical Errors are corrected at no cost to the submitter and are not charged shipping, insurance or handling fees. If CGC determines that a Mechanical Error submission is within its quality acceptance criteria, however, the submission will be returned in its original holder, and roundtrip shipping fees will be charged to the submitter.

Label defects

What qualifies as a label defect?

Mechanical Errors include label defects such as incomplete information on the label, inaccurate or missing data or the use of the wrong label stock.

What does not qualify as a label defect?

A label that was accurate at the time of grading but is no longer accurate due to circumstances beyond CGC’s control would not qualify for Mechanical Error. For example, if the catalog number was correct at the time of grading but was subsequently changed by the catalog’s publisher, this would not qualify as a Mechanical Error and would instead need to be resubmitted under CGC’s ReHolder service.

Who can submit a label defect for Mechanical Error?

Anyone can submit a label defect for Mechanical Error. You do not need to be an CGC member. If you need a submission form, please contact CGC Customer Service.

How long do I have to submit a label defect for Mechanical Error?

There is no time limit to submit a label defect for Mechanical Error.

How much does a Mechanical Error cost?

Why don't Newton's rings qualify as a Mechanical Error?

Newton’s rings are the natural result of two pieces of plastic coming together. They may be more or less pronounced depending on the thickness of the collectible. The CGC holder is built with long-term preservation in mind, and its construction is necessary to ensure the protection of the encapsulated collectible. Newton’s rings are not an indicator of any deficiencies with the CGC holder and therefore do not qualify as a Mechanical Error. For more information about Newton’s rings, watch the video below.