Shipping Pokémon Cards: Toploaders, Tracking & Insurance
The exact materials and shipping classes collectors use.
How you ship a card matters as much as how you grade it. A $200 card that arrives bent is worth $20. Here's the standard, no-frills shipping setup used by experienced Pokémon TCG sellers.
The standard sandwich (under $20)
- Penny sleeve — protects surface from scratches.
- Toploader (3"x4", rigid PVC) — protects against bends.
- Team bag over the toploader (or tape the top opening with painter's tape — never directly on the card).
- Cardboard sandwich — two pieces of stiff cardboard cut just larger than the toploader, taped together.
- Bubble mailer — #000 or #00 size.
For higher value ($50+)
Upgrade to a semi-rigid (PSA-style) or a card saver, then put the whole thing in a small cardboard box (4"x6"x2"). Ship Priority Mail with $50 of included insurance.
For graded slabs
Bubble-wrap the slab, then place in a snug cardboard box. Never ship a slab in just a bubble mailer — the slab can crack on impact.
Shipping classes (US)
| Service | Cost | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage | ~$5 | Under $50, tracked, no insurance |
| USPS Priority | ~$9 | $50–$100, includes $100 insurance |
| Priority + Signature | ~$13 | $200+, prevents "porch piracy" disputes |
International shipping
Stick to USPS First-Class International or Priority International with tracking. Many countries' postal systems lose untracked envelopes — never ship cards uninsured internationally over $20.
When to require signature confirmation
For any sale over $250. PokéBay's buyer-protection process favors the buyer if there's no delivery signature on a high-value claim.
What to put in the package
Just the card. No personal info, no business cards with phone numbers, no handwritten notes asking for 5-star reviews. A simple printed thank-you note is fine.
Full PokéBay shipping policy: Read the official shipping guidelines →