Card condition guide
HiMarket accepts NM, SP and MP cards, graded to TCGplayer standards. HP and damaged cards are not accepted. When in doubt, grade down.
Accurate and consistent card conditioning is essential for a smooth trading experience. When you list a card on HiMarket, the buyer expects to receive a card that matches the stated condition. Our condition standards are aligned with TCGplayer's Card Conditioning Standards.
Seller responsibility: it is the seller's responsibility to accurately grade every card before listing. Cards that arrive at our store in a condition worse than stated may be flagged and/or rejected, and repeated mis-grading may result in account restrictions. When in doubt, always grade down.
NM — Near Mint
Cards showing minimal to no wear from shuffling, play, or handling. A NM card may have slight edge wear or a couple of minor scratches, but overall appears nearly unplayed with no major defects. This is the default and most common condition for recently opened cards.
- Crisp corners with no whitening
- Clean surface with no scratches or scuffs
- Back is clean and unmarked
- Appears as though freshly pulled from a pack
About Mint / Gem Mint: like TCGplayer, HiMarket does not use Mint or Gem Mint as grading tiers. Pack-fresh cards in perfect condition should be listed as Near Mint (NM) — the highest grade on the platform.
SP — Slightly Played
Cards with minor but noticeable wear. May have minor edge wear, scuffs, or scratches. There are no significant imperfections or issues with the structural integrity of the card. Still excellent for tournament play.
- May have light edge whitening
- May have small scratches or slight scuffs on the surface
- May have very minor corner wear
- No major issues visible at a glance without sleeves
MP — Moderately Played
Cards with moderate wear that is clearly visible. May have edge wear, surface wear, scratching or scuffing, or bends with creases that do not impact the structural integrity. Still playable in sleeves. This is the lowest accepted condition on HiMarket.
- Noticeable edge whitening
- Multiple scratches or scuffs visible on surface
- Corner wear clearly visible
- May have minor creasing that does not break the surface
- Still playable in sleeves at tournaments
Not accepted: Heavily Played (HP) and Damaged (DMG) cards are not accepted on HiMarket. Cards with major creases, tears, water damage, writing, or other significant defects cannot be listed. If such cards are delivered to our store, they will be rejected.
Tips for accurate grading
- Use good lighting: inspect cards under bright, even light to spot scratches, whitening, and surface imperfections.
- Check all angles: tilt the card to catch light reflections that reveal scratches or surface wear, especially on foil cards.
- Inspect both sides: back whitening and edge wear are just as important as the front of the card.
- When in doubt, grade down: if a card is borderline between two conditions, list it at the lower condition. This is the single most important rule of grading.
- Foil cards need extra care: foils may be more prone to curling and surface imperfections. Evaluate them by the same standards as non-foil cards.
- Remove from sleeves to inspect: sleeves can hide edge wear and other imperfections. Always remove the card from its sleeve before grading.