SPORTSPacking: the sandwich method
- Penny sleeve. The card goes into a soft sleeve first — it stops surface scratches. Never tape a bare card.
- Top loader or card saver. Slide the sleeved card into a rigid holder and seal the opening with a strip of painter's/masking tape (easy for the buyer to remove). No top loader? Sandwich the sleeved card firmly between two pieces of stiff cardboard, taped together on all sides.
- Shake test. If you can feel the card move inside the holder, pad it — movement is what kills corners.
- Bubble wrap + padded envelope. Wrap the holder, then into a bubble mailer or small box. Mark it "Do not bend" — it won't stop everyone, but it costs nothing.
- Graded slabs get bubble wrap around the slab itself plus a box rather than an envelope — slabs crack on corners when envelopes get thrown.
Total cost of doing this properly: about R5 in materials. Total cost of not doing it: the card.
Choosing a courier (and what it costs)
| Service | Type | Typical cost | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pudo | Locker-to-locker | ± R50–R60 | Cheapest tracked option; lockers everywhere |
| PEP Paxi | Store-to-store | ± R60 (slower) | Budget shipping where PEP reaches |
| PostNet-to-PostNet | Store-to-store | ± R100–R110 | Fast (1–2 days major centres), reliable |
| The Courier Guy | Door-to-door | ± R100–R130 | Convenience; collection from your door |
Prices are typical for a small parcel and change over time — check the courier's site. The rule that doesn't change: always tracked, never a plain envelope in the ordinary post.
Valuable cards: insure and document
- Above roughly R1,000 — and for any graded slab — use a courier option with declared-value cover, or a door-to-door service where the parcel changes fewer hands.
- Photograph everything: the card front and back, the card inside the holder, and the sealed parcel with the waybill visible. If anything goes wrong, that's your evidence.
- Send the buyer the tracking number immediately — it reassures them and starts the delivery clock.
Selling on SportsCard ZA? How shipping fits in
On SportsCard ZA, the buyer pays for delivery at checkout — they choose a PUDO locker (R60) or door delivery (R75) — and that amount is paid out to you with the sale to cover posting the parcel. You price your card at its true value and never pay for shipping out of pocket. When a card sells, the buyer's money is already locked in escrow before you post anything, you're told exactly where to send it (their chosen locker or address), and the moment the buyer confirms arrival the money is released to your bank. Ship promptly, ship tracked, and the system protects both of you.
Ready to sell your first card?
Listing is free and takes about two minutes — photograph the card and the AI fills in the details. Escrow-protected checkout means you never ship and then chase payment.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pack a trading card for shipping?
Penny sleeve first, then a rigid top loader (or between two pieces of cardboard), taped shut with the card unable to move. Wrap in bubble wrap and ship in a padded envelope or small box. Never post a card loose in a normal envelope.
What is the cheapest way to courier a card in South Africa?
Locker-to-locker and store-to-store services are cheapest — Pudo and PEP Paxi typically cost around R50–R70 for a small parcel, with tracking. PostNet-to-PostNet and The Courier Guy door-to-door are usually R100–R130.
Should I insure a card shipment?
For cards worth more than about R1,000 — and always for graded slabs — pay for a service with declared-value cover or use a courier's insured option. Photograph the card and the sealed parcel before sending as proof of condition.
Who pays for shipping when I sell a card on SportsCard ZA?
The buyer — they choose PUDO locker (R60) or door delivery (R75) at checkout, and that amount is paid out to the seller with the sale to cover posting the parcel. Sellers price cards at their true value and never pay for delivery out of pocket.