Please package your figures carefully to prevent damage during shipment.
If you are sending your figures in a protective case:
- Place your figure(s) inside a semi-hard or hard protective case such as a Pro Tech or Star case. (NOTE: If you submit your figures in soft Star Cases, you will receive the same number back with your graded figures but we cannot guarantee that you will receive the same exact cases that you sent. Please report any discrepancy in the number of Star Cases returned to you.)
- Fill the empty space inside the case with tissue or toilet paper. This will help to stabilize the blister. Do not overfill – this can damage the blister. Please do not use cases that are too big or too small for your figure.
- Place your protective case(s) inside a shipping box on their backs, with the bubbles facing up. Include sufficient packaging material (packaging peanuts, shredded newspaper, etc.) to keep the figure(s) stationary
- Enclose your completed submission form and payment.
- Secure the box with packaging tape and send it in. Make sure to fully insure your shipment
If you are sending your figures in poly-bags (i.e. Zip-Locs)
- Place your figure(s) into a clear protective poly bag (zip-loc) with a rigid cardboard backing for support.
- Place your bagged figure(s) inside of a cardboard box surrounded by packing material to stabilize the figure(s). Place these bagged and boxed figure(s) into the shipping box with sufficient packaging material (packaging peanuts, shredded newspaper, etc.) to keep the figure(s) stationary.
- Enclose your completed submission form and payment.
- Secure the box with packaging tape and send it in. Make sure to fully insure your shipment.
Recommended methods for packing Other Items
- Carefully wrap each item in 1-2 layers of bubble wrap. For items with box flaps, a piece of cardboard or similar hard material should be placed behind the item box to support the flap before wrapping the item in bubble wrap.
- Place bubble-wrapped item(s) in a large enough box to allow for 3″ of padding on every side of the item. Fill in all additional space with sufficient packaging material (packaging peanuts, shredded newspaper, etc.) to keep the item(s) stationary. Do not overfill the box with packaging material – this can damage the item by causing a plastic window to collapse, etc. NOTE: For all high valued items, AFA recommends double-boxing. (placing a box containing the item in a larger outer shipping box.
- Enclose your completed submission form and payment.
- Secure the box with packaging tape and send it in. Make sure to fully insure your shipment.
Although following these recommendations will not guarantee that transit damage will not occur, we have found this to provide the best protection for your figures.
You will only be contacted if the box that you send your items in appears damaged upon its arrival at AFA. We will not be able to examine your figures and determine if any damage has occured because we don’t know the condition of the figures before shipment. Please be aware and ship all items carefully.