Yes, MNT Grading is still operating in 2026, and the Canadian grading company continues to serve the Pokémon card collecting community with active services and recent updates. Whether you’re evaluating a first edition Shadowless Charizard or a modern holographic pull, MNT remains available as a grading alternative to the more established competitors. The company operates a fully functional website with current submission guidelines, service offerings, and a verification lookup tool that confirms their continued active operations throughout 2026.
MNT Grading Inc. is based in Elmira, Ontario, Canada and has carved out a niche as a legitimate grading alternative for collectors who want their cards professionally evaluated without waiting months or paying premium prices. Unlike some services that have scaled back or disappeared, MNT has actually made strategic adjustments to their business model in early 2026 to better serve their customer base. For collectors wondering whether they can still submit their cards to MNT, the answer is straightforward: yes, they can, but the process and service options have evolved.
Table of Contents
- What Is MNT Grading and Why Does It Still Matter?
- Service Changes and What MNT Offers Now in 2026
- Card Specifications and Grading Limitations
- Turnaround Options and Service Tiers Available
- Pricing Structure and Canadian Currency Consideration
- MNT’s Position in the Grading Market
- The Outlook for MNT Grading and Independent Graders
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is MNT Grading and Why Does It Still Matter?
MNT Grading operates as a third-party card grading service that evaluates Pokémon cards alongside hockey, baseball, basketball, and Magic: The Gathering cards. Their core service is identical to what collectors expect from any grading company: you submit cards, they evaluate the condition using a standardized scale, and they return the cards encased in a tamper-evident holder with a grade printed on the label. This service model hasn’t changed, though the specific options available to customers have been refined.
The Canadian grading market is smaller than the American market dominated by psa and Beckett Grading Services, but MNT has maintained relevance by offering faster turnaround times and lower submission costs. For a collector who wants to grade a stack of moderately valuable cards without the backlog and expense of the largest graders, MNT remains a practical option. The company’s website clearly displays their service tiers and submission processes, indicating that they’re actively processing orders and maintaining their grading standards.
Service Changes and What MNT Offers Now in 2026
In a December 2025 and January 2026 update, MNT made significant adjustments to their service structure that anyone considering submission should understand. The company lowered bulk minimums for First Class Services to 10 or more cards and adjusted Priority, Rush, and Standard services to require a minimum of 20 cards. This change makes it easier for smaller collectors to access expedited grading without being forced to send an enormous batch. However, there’s a tradeoff: MNT discontinued their Value Service, which previously offered a 6-month turnaround for budget-conscious collectors.
Existing Value orders are still being processed, but new submissions cannot use that tier anymore. For collectors on a tight budget, this removal of the lowest-cost option is a real limitation. If you need grading done cheaply and can wait months, MNT is no longer the solution. What remains is a range of faster services starting with the lowest-cost standard option, though the exact turnaround and pricing will depend on whether you meet the minimum card requirements or qualify for First Class Services.
Card Specifications and Grading Limitations
MNT Grading has specific requirements about which cards they can and cannot grade. The company only grades regular-sized cards that measure 2.5 by 3.5 inches, which covers the vast majority of trading cards including standard Pokémon cards. However, they have thickness limitations: cards must be between 35 points and 180 points thick.
Anything thinner or thicker falls outside their capability. This specification matters because it excludes oversized cards like Pokémon-EX or Pokémon GX cards printed on oversize stock, and it excludes heavily damaged cards that might warp or swell beyond normal thickness. If you have a rare card that’s been damaged in storage and has expanded beyond its normal dimensions, MNT will reject it. For most standard-condition Pokémon cards, however, these limitations don’t present a practical barrier to grading.
Turnaround Options and Service Tiers Available
MNT currently offers multiple service tiers with turnaround times ranging from 2 days on the fastest end to 30 days on the standard tier. All pricing is displayed and charged in Canadian dollars, which means collectors paying in USD or other currencies will see fluctuations based on exchange rates. A collector looking to get a valuable card graded quickly can access express options, while those willing to wait can use standard services at lower cost.
The difference in turnaround times reflects the practical reality of their operation: faster services mean cards jump to the front of the queue, while standard services process cards in the order received. For a collector sitting on a stack of cards they want graded for trade or sale, understanding which turnaround option makes sense requires weighing the urgency of getting results against the cost difference. A moderately valuable card might justify a 5-day turnaround, while bulk commons might not be worth expediting at all.
Pricing Structure and Canadian Currency Consideration
All MNT Grading services are priced in Canadian dollars, which is both straightforward and occasionally inconvenient for American or international collectors. The company’s pricing structure reflects the fact that they’re a smaller operation than PSA or BGS, so they typically offer lower per-card costs in exchange for slightly longer turnaround times and less market recognition. When comparing MNT to larger competitors, the pricing advantage becomes apparent, but the trade-off is that cards graded by MNT typically sell for less at auction than identically-graded cards from PSA or BGS.
This isn’t a flaw in MNT’s grading standards—it’s a market reality based on collector preferences and brand recognition. If you’re grading cards for your personal collection, the lower cost makes MNT attractive. If you’re grading cards you intend to sell, you need to factor in whether the cost savings are offset by the lower resale value of MNT-graded cards.
MNT’s Position in the Grading Market
MNT Grading operates in a competitive market dominated by PSA and Beckett, both of which have established reputations and higher market demand for their slabs. Despite this, MNT has maintained operations and even recently refined their service offerings rather than shutting down or consolidating. The company’s decision to lower bulk minimums and discontinue the value service suggests they’re responding to customer demand and market conditions.
The grading market in 2026 is different from what it was during the pandemic boom of 2020-2022, when turnaround times stretched to a year or more and prices soared. MNT’s continued operation and recent service adjustments reflect a market that has cooled somewhat but remains active. For collectors and dealers who have used MNT in the past, the service remains available. For new collectors considering where to submit their cards, MNT is a legitimate option worth evaluating alongside larger competitors.
The Outlook for MNT Grading and Independent Graders
The survival and adaptation of independent graders like MNT matters to the broader hobby because it prevents monopolization of the grading market by the largest companies. A collector’s ability to choose between PSA, BGS, and MNT—along with other smaller graders—provides options based on budget, turnaround needs, and personal preference. As long as MNT continues to maintain reasonable standards and process orders reliably, their existence benefits the market.
Looking ahead, the stability of MNT Grading in 2026 and beyond will depend on their ability to serve a niche market effectively. They’ve already made moves in that direction by adjusting their service tiers and minimum requirements. For Pokémon collectors specifically, MNT remains a viable grading option that shouldn’t be dismissed simply because they’re smaller than PSA or BGS.
Conclusion
MNT Grading is definitely still around in 2026 and continues to offer card grading services from their location in Elmira, Ontario. The company has made recent adjustments to their service structure, most notably lowering bulk minimums and removing their budget-friendly value service tier. For collectors deciding whether to submit their Pokémon cards to MNT, the decision hinges on whether the cost savings and faster turnaround options offset the lower market value of their grades compared to larger competitors.
If you have cards you want graded and are comfortable with MNT’s specifications, turnaround times, and pricing in Canadian currency, the service is active and available. For the most current information on submission requirements and pricing, MNT’s website provides complete details about their services and maintains a verification tool for confirming grades. The choice between MNT and larger graders should be based on your specific needs rather than any concern about the company’s viability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MNT Grading still accepting submissions in 2026?
Yes. MNT Grading is actively operating and accepting card submissions. However, they recently adjusted their bulk minimums (10+ cards for First Class, 20+ cards for other services) and discontinued their lowest-cost Value Service tier.
Can I grade oversized Pokémon cards with MNT?
No. MNT only grades regular-sized cards (2.5×3.5 inches) and cannot grade oversized variants or cards exceeding 180 points in thickness.
How much faster is MNT compared to PSA?
MNT offers turnaround times ranging from 2 to 30 days depending on service tier. PSA’s turnaround times have generally been longer, though this varies based on current backlog conditions.
Why are MNT-graded cards worth less than PSA-graded cards?
Market perception and collector preference drive card values. PSA has significantly higher brand recognition, which translates to higher resale values for PSA-graded cards even with identical condition grades.
Do I need to submit minimum quantities to MNT?
Yes. First Class Services require 10+ cards, while Priority, Rush, and Standard services require 20+ cards minimum.
Is MNT pricing in USD or Canadian dollars?
All MNT Grading pricing is in Canadian dollars (CDN), so exchange rates will affect the final cost for American and international collectors.
