How to Ship MTG Cards Safely When Selling Online

Apr 30

If you're planning to sell your Magic: The Gathering cards online or ship them to a buyer like Mana Dork, knowing how to pack and protect your collection is essential. Whether you're sending a few singles or a large collection, this guide covers how to ship MTG cards safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively within the U.S.

📦 Why Proper Shipping Matters

When you sell MTG cards online, you're often dealing with collectible and sometimes high-value items. Poor packing can lead to damage in transit, disputes, or even total loss. That’s why we’ve put together best practices for shipping your Magic cards based on the size and value of your collection.

✅ Best Practices for All MTG Card Shipments

Prevent movement: Loose cards in a box = bent corners and scratches. Pack cards tightly.
Protect edges and faces: Use card sleeves, toploaders, or team bags where appropriate.
Seal securely: Use strong packing tape, and reinforce any seams or flaps.
Label clearly: Include a note with your contact information and your order/seller ID if relevant.

💰 Shipping High-Value Magic Cards ($20 and Up)

If your Magic card is worth $20 or more, protect it like it's priceless:

Sleeve it: Always use a penny sleeve.
Toploader it: Place the sleeved card into a rigid toploader to prevent bending.
Team bags optional: Add extra protection by placing the toploader into a team bag.
No rubber bands: Avoid anything that applies pressure or sticks to the card.

As these cards are worth more, make sure they're packed snugly and reinforced so they won’t be crushed.

📨 Shipping 1–100 Magic Cards

For shipments of up to 100 cards:

Use a bubble mailer with rigid cardboard or team bag protection.
Sleeving isn’t always required for lower-value cards, but they must be organized neatly.
Consider placing cards in a small deck box or card case inside the mailer.

Always keep in mind: your package will be tossed around with others, so cushion accordingly.

📦 Shipping 100–1000 MTG Cards

If you're selling a small collection (100 to 1000 cards):

BCW storage boxes are your friend. Use the 400ct, 500ct, or 800ct options depending on your count.
Sleeved cards take up more space—expect to fit around 500 in a 500ct box if they're single-sleeved.
Fill any extra space in the box with bubble wrap or packing paper to stop shifting.
Place your BCW box inside a sturdy shipping box, ideally double-walled for extra protection.

Flat rate boxes from USPS may be a cost-effective option at this scale.

📦📦 Shipping 1000+ Magic Cards (Bulk Collection)

When you're shipping a large MTG collection:

Use multiple BCW long boxes (e.g., 500ct, 1000ct, or 3200ct).
Nest your card boxes inside larger box that can fit multiple BCW boxes tightly.
USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate is a smart choice—it’s trackable, insurable, and flat-rate (as long as it's under 75 lbs and the box closes).

Tip: Reinforce the edges of boxes with extra tape if you're shipping heavy.

🚚 Too Big to Ship? We’ll Come to You.

If your collection requires more than a few flat rate boxes, or you're overwhelmed by the logistics, reach out directly to a Mana Dork purchasing manager. We’ll help you develop a shipping plan that minimizes cost and hassle.

Have a massive collection? For very large Magic collections, we offer local pickup services. A Mana Dork rep can travel to you and pick up the cards in person. Just contact us to arrange a visit.

💬 Questions? We're Here to Help

Whether you're selling a few cards or a lifetime collection, our team is ready to assist. At Mana Dork, we make it easy to sell your MTG cards online—with fair prices, fast turnaround, and personalized support for collections of any size.

👉 Ready to get started? Learn more about selling to Mana Dork.