Effective: September 2026 · Last updated: September 2026 · VAT MT33048217
These Terms & Conditions apply to all services provided by CardLab Malta. By submitting, delivering, posting or otherwise providing a card to CardLab Malta and requesting a service, the customer confirms that they have read, understood and accepted these Terms & Conditions.
CardLab Malta provides independent trading-card care and preparation services. Services may include:
CardLab Malta will use reasonable care and skill when carrying out an accepted service. However, because every card and every form of existing damage is different, results cannot be guaranteed.
By submitting a card for treatment, the customer expressly authorises CardLab Malta to perform the service selected or otherwise agreed with the customer. The customer confirms that:
Trading cards are fragile collectibles. Cleaning or restoration cannot be completely risk-free. Depending on the card's age, materials, printing, foil, previous damage, storage conditions and previous treatments, work may result in unintended changes or may reveal damage that was previously less visible.
Possible risks include:
By authorising treatment, the customer acknowledges these inherent risks. CardLab Malta does not guarantee that a damaged card can be restored to its original condition.
CardLab Malta will take reasonable care when handling customer property. However, where damage or a change in condition results from an inherent and disclosed risk of an authorised treatment, from the card's pre-existing condition, fragility, hidden defect, previous alteration, deterioration or another circumstance outside CardLab Malta's reasonable control, CardLab Malta will not be responsible for that loss to the extent permitted by law. This does not exclude liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable Maltese law.
Before-and-after results vary from card to card. CardLab Malta does not guarantee:
CardLab Malta may stop a treatment if continuing is reasonably considered likely to cause unnecessary damage.
CardLab Malta is not responsible for damage, defects or weaknesses that existed before the card was received. This includes defects that were not visible during an ordinary inspection. Examples include:
Where reasonably practical, CardLab Malta may photograph cards before beginning work to document their condition.
CardLab Malta is not a grading company. Any grade, estimated grade, condition assessment or pre-grade supplied by CardLab Malta represents CardLab Malta's opinion only. A pre-grade is not a guarantee of the grade the card will receive. PSA, Beckett/BGS, CGC and other grading companies apply their own standards and make their own independent decisions. A card estimated by CardLab Malta at one grade may receive a higher grade, lower grade, no numerical grade or an altered/authentic designation. The customer accepts this before purchasing a pre-grading service.
CardLab Malta cannot control and accepts no responsibility for decisions made by independent grading companies. This includes:
Any third-party grading service is also subject to that company's own terms and conditions.
Customers should understand that some grading companies may consider certain treatments to constitute alteration or restoration. CardLab Malta does not guarantee that any work performed will be accepted by PSA, BGS, CGC or another grading company. The customer is responsible for deciding whether they wish to submit a treated card for third-party grading.
Where a customer asks CardLab Malta to remove a card from a graded holder/slab, the customer expressly authorises CardLab Malta to break or open that holder. The customer understands that this process carries additional risk. Once removed:
CardLab Malta does not guarantee preservation of the original slab or label unless this is specifically agreed beforehand.
The collectible-card market can change rapidly. CardLab Malta does not guarantee or insure: market value, resale value, future value, potential grading value, investment value, sentimental value, or potential profit. Any discussion regarding potential value is an opinion and does not constitute financial or investment advice.
Customers are responsible for informing CardLab Malta before treatment if a card is particularly rare, valuable or of significant sentimental importance. Submitting a high-value card does not remove the inherent risks associated with the selected service. Customers should only authorise treatment if they are comfortable with those risks.
Shipping and postal services are provided by independent third parties, not CardLab Malta. This includes MaltaPost and any courier, postal operator or delivery company used by either CardLab Malta or the customer. Once a parcel is accepted into the possession or control of the relevant postal operator or courier, transportation is performed by that independent provider.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, CardLab Malta is not responsible for:
This applies to both customer → CardLab Malta and CardLab Malta → customer.
Customers are strongly encouraged to use tracked and adequately insured shipping. Where the customer selects or approves a shipping method, the customer accepts the coverage limits and conditions associated with that shipping service. If a customer chooses an uninsured or insufficiently insured service, the customer accepts the financial risk associated with that decision. Where a shipment is lost or damaged while under the control of an independent courier/postal provider, any available compensation may be limited by that provider's terms and insurance. CardLab Malta will reasonably assist the customer with available shipping information required for a legitimate claim.
Where CardLab Malta arranges return shipping, CardLab Malta will take reasonable steps to package the cards appropriately and provide the parcel to the selected postal/courier provider. Once the parcel has been accepted into that provider's possession or control, the risks associated with transportation by that provider are subject to the provider's service and applicable law. CardLab Malta cannot guarantee delivery dates provided by third-party couriers.
When sending cards to CardLab Malta, the customer is responsible for packaging them securely. CardLab Malta is not responsible for damage caused before receipt due to: poor packaging, insufficient protection, loose cards, inappropriate sleeves, inappropriate holders, water exposure caused by inadequate packaging, or other packaging choices made by the sender. CardLab Malta's responsibility for handling the card begins when CardLab Malta actually receives possession of the card.
Where cards are delivered through an independent shop, event, collection point or other third party, customers acknowledge that the third party is separate from CardLab Malta unless expressly stated otherwise. Responsibility for loss or damage will depend on who had possession/control of the card when the event occurred and applicable law. Customers should ensure cards are properly identified and packaged when using a collection point.
CardLab Malta accepts local and international card submissions.
Customers are responsible for securely packaging their cards and selecting an appropriate delivery service. We strongly recommend:
Do not send valuable cards using ordinary untracked post. Customers should retain their tracking number and proof of postage.
A card is considered received by CardLab Malta when it has actually entered CardLab Malta's possession. Courier tracking showing delivery to another location or person does not automatically establish receipt by CardLab Malta. Where applicable, customers will be notified when their submission has been recorded.
Customers may select from the available return-delivery options during their order. Available services may depend on destination. We strongly recommend tracked and appropriately insured return delivery for valuable cards.
Postal and courier companies are independent third-party providers. Once a properly packaged parcel has been accepted into the possession or control of the selected carrier, transportation is performed by that carrier. Loss, theft, delay, misdelivery or damage occurring while the shipment is under the carrier's control will be handled in accordance with the carrier's terms, insurance and applicable law. CardLab Malta will reasonably assist customers with available documentation required for a legitimate carrier claim.
Customers must provide a reasonable declared value for cards submitted to CardLab Malta. The declared value helps determine appropriate handling and shipping requirements. A declared value does not constitute an independent CardLab Malta valuation or guarantee that the stated amount will be recoverable from a carrier or insurer.
International customers are responsible for understanding any customs, import, export, tax or declaration requirements that apply to their shipment. Any applicable customs duties, taxes or charges remain the responsibility of the person legally responsible for those charges. CardLab Malta will not intentionally falsify customs declarations or shipment values.
Customers are responsible for providing complete and accurate return-delivery information. Additional costs caused by incorrect customer-supplied delivery information may be charged to the customer where permitted by law.
Delivery estimates supplied by postal and courier providers are estimates unless that provider expressly guarantees otherwise. CardLab Malta cannot guarantee third-party delivery times.
CardLab Malta may photograph cards on receipt, before treatment, during treatment, and after treatment. These photographs may be retained for condition records, quality control, customer communication and dispute resolution. Customers are also encouraged to photograph valuable cards before submission.
CardLab Malta may ask customers for permission to use before-and-after images for social media, website content, advertising or educational purposes. Personal customer information will not intentionally be displayed without permission. A customer may tell CardLab Malta that they do not want their cards used for promotional purposes.
All turnaround times are estimates unless CardLab Malta expressly agrees otherwise. Completion times can vary because of: number of cards, condition, complexity, treatment required, workload, material availability, third-party delays, courier delays, grading-company delays, or circumstances outside CardLab Malta's reasonable control. CardLab Malta is not responsible for delays caused solely by independent couriers, postal operators or grading companies.
The customer agrees to pay the price agreed for the requested service. Additional work that materially changes the agreed price will not be carried out without customer approval where reasonably practicable. CardLab Malta may retain completed cards until amounts properly due for the agreed service have been paid, subject to applicable law.
If you are a consumer ordering from within the EU/EEA, you generally have a statutory right to withdraw from this distance contract within 14 days without giving a reason, in accordance with applicable consumer protection law.
Because our services involve physical work on your card, you have two options when placing an order:
This choice is presented as part of the online order process. Nothing here removes any withdrawal or cancellation right that cannot lawfully be excluded under Maltese or EU consumer law.
[Business owner note: this section reflects the general EU Consumer Rights Directive framework for services. Have it confirmed by a lawyer before relying on it, particularly around refund timing and how partial performance is calculated.]
Once physical work has begun on a card, that work cannot be reversed simply because the customer changes their mind. If a customer asks CardLab Malta to stop work after treatment has begun, CardLab Malta will stop where reasonably possible. Where the customer requested early performance under Section 22, the customer remains responsible for charges relating to work already performed. Any statutory cancellation or withdrawal rights that cannot legally be excluded remain unaffected.
CardLab Malta does not attempt to exclude any liability that Maltese law does not permit it to exclude. Subject to that important qualification, CardLab Malta will not be liable for losses resulting solely from:
Nothing in these Terms removes CardLab Malta's responsibility to perform its own services with reasonable care and skill or removes any consumer right that cannot legally be excluded.
CardLab Malta is an independent trading-card service. Unless expressly stated otherwise, CardLab Malta is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by PSA, Beckett/BGS, CGC or any other grading company. All third-party names and trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.
If a customer believes there is an issue with a service, they should contact CardLab Malta as soon as reasonably possible and provide: their name/order details, details of the card, description of the issue, and relevant photographs or evidence. CardLab Malta will review the matter and attempt to resolve legitimate complaints reasonably.
These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of Malta. Nothing contained in these Terms affects mandatory rights available to consumers under Maltese or applicable European Union law. If any individual provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply to the extent permitted by law.
By submitting a card and instructing CardLab Malta to perform a service, the customer confirms that they:
Before an online order can be submitted, the customer is required to tick the following on our submission form:
For restoration, crease reduction, dent reduction, scratch reduction, pressing or slab cracking, CardLab Malta additionally requires:
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