Shipping Trading Cards
Shipping trading cards via freight is more complicated than it seems! Learn how to package and ship your cards while guaranteeing their safety and why you may need to ship your cards via freight in the first place.
Shipping Trading Cards
People love to collect items, from coins to comic books. But none are as big as trading cards are. These cards (also known as collectible cards) seem like fun memorabilia for your interests, like sports cards, video games, comics, movies, or cartoon shows. However, some can become extremely valuable and worth a lot of money.
Transporting valuable trading cards has its difficulties. These cards are made with cardboard or heavy paper, susceptible to adverse weather conditions, damage, or theft. That’s why you must take extra precautions when packaging and shipping your trading cards to ensure they arrive at their destination safe, whole, and ready to be admired.
Let’s explore why shipping trading cards via freight may be necessary for you and how to prepare them for it.
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Why Choose FreightCenter for Shipping Trading Cards?
Expertise in Freight Shipping: With over 25 years in the logistics industry, FreightCenter is dedicated to guiding you through the entire logistics process, from beginning to end. We aim to make shipping your trading cards easy to understand and book. Don’t waste time researching and receiving quotes from individual carriers- FreightCenter’s got your back!
Competitive Rates with Tailored Solutions: We prioritize high-quality customer service without breaking your wallet. We utilize our relationships with regional and national carriers to offer you competitive, affordable rates while providing personalized solutions to your needs. Need freight insurance? We got you! Want to use white glove services? Leave it to us! We’re ready to provide tailored solutions that won’t compromise your freight shipment.
Personalized Customer Support: FreightCenter is committed to satisfying our customers. Our friendly customer support team is here to help you every step of the way, from initial inquiries to post-shipment concerns. We handle all aspects of logistics, including tracking, paperwork, and communication with carriers, so you can focus on your business while we manage your shipment. Choose us for our reliable service and affordable quotes!
Why Ship Trading Cards via Freight Shipping
Trading cards are usually shipped via parcel services like FedEx and UPS, using unique padded sleeves and envelopes to protect them during transit. Shipping small little cards on a freight shipping trailer may feel unnecessary, especially when shipping by parcel can be quick and cheap comparatively.
However, there are a few reasons why you may need a freight shipping carrier to handle your trading cards instead of a parcel company:
- Your trading cards are part of a freight shipment, such as if you are shipping household goods.
- You are a trading card manufacturer shipping your items to hobby or game stores.
- You are shipping a large quantity of trading cards for a collector event or to be graded and authenticated by a professional grader.
Regardless of your reason for shipping trading cards through freight services, your package must weigh at least 150 pounds to qualify for less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping. While some items under that weight may qualify for freight shipping in exceptional circumstances, such cases are quite rare.
How to Safely Package and Ship Your Trading Cards
The biggest challenge to shipping trading cards is their materials. Trading cards are made of cardboard or heavy paper (usually laminated for protection). Collectors keep them safe by using either card sleeves put into binders or a case manufactured for trading cards.
However, that may not offer the best protection during shipping, especially if shipped with other, heavier packages. The cardboard or paper cards could be crushed, bent, or ripped while in transport, and an overheated trailer could damage the cards’ artwork if not adequately insulated.
This is a distressing prospect for collectors of regular trading cards, but it’s especially harrowing for those with high-value cards. They need double the protection of a standard trading card. The best protection for high-value cards is to keep them still, lest they move around and risk damage, which can be difficult if they are in a trailer with other shipments of varying weights.
Shipping trading cards has its challenges, but there are ways to ensure your cards remain safe and secure during transit. Here are some tips to help you prepare for shipping your trading cards:
- Protect cards via penny card sleeves, binders, and cases. The latter are specially designed for high-value cards to protect them with locks and secure snaps. There are even filing cabinets intended for trading card storage!
- Prevent cards from jostling around during transport. Use extra packing materials like packing peanuts or Styrofoam to hold your cards in place.
- When packing your cards, choose durable packaging materials. Opt for thick, heavy-duty boxes or a small crate. If these are part of a larger shipment, ensure they are palletized.
- Label your card’s packaging with a “fragile” or “sensitive” mark. This will ensure that your freight is handled carefully during shipping. You should also consider including freight insurance with your shipment to provide financial protection if your cards are damaged or stolen. There is special insurance for trading cards if you send them to an authenticator or grader, but third-party insurance may also cover them.
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Trust the experts at FreightCenter to give you the best prices and the most comprehensive options for all your LTL freight shipping needs.
We deliver optimized solutions for full or partial truckloads and competitive dry van, flatbed, and refrigerated freight pricing. We can cover your full truckload shipping needs.
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The most reliable Specialized Freight Services rates from all the top carriers are just a few steps away. From white glove service to international shipping, we've got you covered.
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
FreightCenter Makes Shipping Trading Cards Easy!
Shipping trading cards may be more complicated than it seems, especially if you are using freight shipping services. FreightCenter has shipped every possible commodity out there, from statues to bananas, so we are ready to take on the challenge of shipping your trading cards.
With over 25 years in the business, we’re committed to finding carriers that will safely and efficiently deliver your trading cards. Thanks to our partnership with over 50 nationwide carriers, we can offer discounted rates you can’t find elsewhere. We also provided tailored solutions to help make shipping your trading cards smoother, from providing third-party insurance to white glove services that handle your cards delicately. We even offer rewards to regular shippers!
Ready to ship your trading cards with us? Call our agents at (800) 716-7608 or get a free online quote today!
Frequently Asked Questions about Shipping Trading Cards
Q. What are trading cards?
Trading cards are collectibles made with cardboard or heavy paper, featuring artwork or photos from sports, video games, cartoons, movies, or comic books. They are primarily memorabilia but can increase in value based on rarity, making them valuable to collectors.
Q. Why would I need to use freight carriers to ship trading cards?
While you usually can quickly and cheaply ship trading cards using parcel services, there are several circumstances where you may need to ship your cards via freight. You may need to freight ship your cards if they are part of a larger assorted shipment, if you are a trading card manufacturer shipping your goods to a hobby or game store, or if you are a collector shipping your cards to an authenticator or grader to determine your card’s value.
Q. What are the challenges of shipping trading cards via freight?
Trading cards are made with cardboard or laminated heavy paper, making them susceptible to damage if heavier items surround their packaging or are in an overheated environment like a semi-trailer. High-value cards are also at risk for theft or loss if not properly and securely packaged.
Q. How do I package trading cards for shipping?
Protection is the top priority when packaging trading cards for freight shipping. Your cards should be housed in a protective sleeve within a binder or in a case if they are high-value.
They must also be cushioned during travel to prevent shaking and risk damage. Sturdy packaging materials like peanuts and styrofoam, packed around the card’s casing, will hold them still during transport.
Finally, label your package with a sensitive or fragile mark so that carriers handle your freight properly; consider including freight insurance to protect yourself financially in case of damage or theft.
Three Advantages of Using FreightCenter for Shipping Trading Cards
25+ Years of Service
We have over 25 years of experience, as evidenced by our large network of professional carriers. Our knowledgeable team of shipping experts is ready to help you optimize your shipping experience.
Customizable Shipping Options
Need a liftgate? No problem! Need to ship your products quickly? We got you covered! Our FreightCenter agents can offer tailored solutions for your specific shipping needs while offering affordable rates you can’t find anywhere else.
Friendly Customer Support
Our customer support team has the answers to many of your shipping questions and concerns. We’re here to help you through every step of the shipping process, from initial inquiries to post-shipment issues.
