Packaging Condition Guide
We grade every sealed set and CMF pack so you know exactly what you're getting. No vague claims, no surprises.
Why we grade
LEGO® boxes pick up wear from the moment they leave the factory — warehouse handling, retail shelves, customs inspections, courier journeys. Some boxes arrive at our door pristine. Others have been through the wringer. We've all seen "mint condition" listings online that turn up looking less than mint, so we're keeping it honest.
We grade the packaging, not the contents. Every sealed set we sell is factory sealed, contents untouched, regardless of grade. The only difference between a Minimal Wear box and a Significant Wear box is what the outside looks like — what's inside is identical. Collectible Minifigures are a special case — see below.
Our three grades
Minimal Wear
What you'd expect from a retail store. Clean condition with no significant damage. There may be very minor shelf wear consistent with sitting on a shop shelf, but nothing that would catch your eye. Seals intact, corners sharp.
Moderate Wear
Visible imperfections — creases, scuffs, worn corners, or retailer security stickers we've left in place. The box is structurally sound and still factory sealed. Any visible retail sticker means Moderate Wear at minimum.
Significant Wear
Notable damage — crushing, corner damage, tears, or in rare cases water marks. Contents are still factory sealed and complete. Ideal for builders who plan to open the box anyway.
How we photograph
For Moderate Wear and Significant Wear items, we include condition photos in the Condition tab on the product page. We photograph the specific damage, not stock images, so what you see is what arrives.
For Minimal Wear items we use standard LEGO® product photography. If you'd like additional photos of a specific Minimal Wear box before purchasing, get in touch and we'll send some.
Pricing reflects condition
Significant Wear boxes are priced lower than Minimal Wear of the same set. Moderate Wear sits in between, with the discount depending on how much wear there is. Where a set is available in multiple grades, you'll see the alternatives listed on the product page.
Collectible Minifigures (CMF)
CMF figures need a word of their own, because identifying the exact figure in a sealed blind bag isn't always reliable — and we're upfront about how we handle that.
New CMF — opened to identify, then rebagged. Collectible Minifigures come in sealed blind bags, and confirming which character is inside without opening isn't reliable. So you get precisely the figure shown — never a mystery figure — we open every one purely to confirm it, then repackage it. You receive it new and complete: the minifigure, its display stand, every accessory and the original collector's leaflet, sealed in a resealable ziplock bag. The figure has never been built for play or display.
Pre-owned CMF. Individually inspected, cleaned and checked for completeness before listing, and supplied in a resealable ziplock bag. Anything significant is noted on the product page.
Each product page confirms exactly what you're getting in the Condition tab.
Blister packs and polybags
Some smaller sets come in blister packs or polybags. Our grading scale applies to these too, with adjusted standards — small dents in foil or blister packaging are normal from factory handling and don't downgrade the grade.
Got a question?
If you're unsure about the condition of a specific item, or want extra photos before buying, contact us. We're collectors too and we want you to be happy with what you receive.