17 June 2024 – Card collectors and dealers in the Middle East just got a major upgrade to their collecting game. The Certified Collectibles Group (CCG) has officially announced the opening of its Dubai office today, bringing world-class card grading and authentication services directly to the region for the first time.
What This Means for Card Collectors
For sports card enthusiasts, TCG players, and comic book collectors in the UAE and broader Middle East, this expansion eases one of the biggest barriers to professional grading: shipping costs and logistics to overseas facilities.
Services Now Available in Dubai
The new Dubai office accepts submissions for:
- Sports cards (all major sports and eras)
- Non-sports cards (entertainment, gaming, vintage sets)
- Trading Card Games including Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and more
- Comic books and magazines
- Autographed cards through CGC Signature Series and JSA authentication
The CGC Advantage for Card Collectors
CGC has become a golden standard in comic book grading, and their expansion into trading cards has been widely embraced by collectors worldwide. Here’s why this matters:
Authentication You Can Trust
With over 100 million collectibles certified since 1987, CCG’s brands (including CGC and JSA) bring decades of expertise to card authentication. This is crucial in today’s market where counterfeits and altered cards are increasingly sophisticated.
Market Value Protection
Professionally graded cards consistently command higher prices than raw cards in similar condition. CGC’s tamper-evident holders provide long-term protection while clearly displaying the card’s condition grade.
JSA Autograph Authentication
The inclusion of James Spence Authentication (JSA) services is particularly exciting for autograph card collectors. JSA is widely recognized as one of the most trusted names in autograph authentication.
How the Process Works
The Dubai office streamlines what was previously a complex international shipping process:
- Submit online through the new UAE websites (CGCcards.ae for cards)
- Schedule drop-off by calling +971 800 0321348 or emailing [email protected]
- Secure transport to CGC’s Florida headquarters with full insurance coverage
- Professional grading and encapsulation by CGC’s expert team
- Return shipping back to Dubai with insurance protection
Key Benefits:
- No tariffs thanks to Temporary Importation under Bond (TIB) procedures
- All-inclusive pricing covering grading, shipping, insurance, and customs
- Local support in Arabic and English
- Faster turnaround compared to individual international shipping
Market Response Shows Strong Demand
The enthusiasm at recent Middle East Film & Comic Con and The Currency Fair events suggests a hungry market. According to Arafaat Ali Khan, CCG’s Managing Director for the Middle East, the “extraordinary interest expressed by collectors and dealers” and the “caliber of collectibles” submitted indicate significant market potential.
What This Means for Card Values in the Region
Having local access to professional grading services could significantly impact the Middle East collectibles market:
- Increased liquidity as more cards enter the graded market
- Better price discovery with standardized condition assessment
- Enhanced collector confidence in high-value purchases
- Growing market participation from new collectors who previously avoided grading due to logistics
Getting Started
Ready to submit your cards for grading? Here’s what you need to know:
For Trading Cards and Sports Cards:
Visit CGCcards.ae to explore services and pricing options.
For Comic Books:
Visit CGCcomics.ae for comic and magazine submissions.
Contact Information:
- Phone: +971 800 0321348
- Email: [email protected]
- Location: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
The Bigger Picture
CCG’s Dubai expansion represents more than just convenience—it signals the growing importance of the Middle East collecting market. As the first major third-party grading service to establish a full-time presence in the region, CCG is positioning itself at the forefront of what could be explosive growth in collectibles collecting.
