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Box damage · dent damage

LEGO box dent damage grading.

AI dent-detection grading for sealed LEGO boxes.

What dent damage is

How the AI sees it.

A dent is a localized inward deformation on a box face — typically from a point impact (corner of another box, dropped item, finger pressure). Dents can be cosmetic (surface paper only) or structural (cardboard substrate compressed).

Why it matters

The grader perspective.

Cosmetic dents drop the surface axis 1–2 points; structural dents that change the box geometry drop the structural axis and often the corners axis too because they typically originate at or near a corner. Graders treat dents on the front face more punitively than back or side.

↦ Scored on the BrickGauge surface axis.

Severity tiers

Dent damage by tier.

Each tier maps to a defect signal and the grade ceiling it forces. Pre-grade your box with BrickGauge to see which tier yours lands in.

TierSignalGrade cap
MINTNoneAFA 90+
NM≤5mm sub-1mm depth, back/side onlyAFA 85
EX5–15mm dent, any faceAFA 80
VG>15mm or structural deformationAFA 75 or below
Prevention

Don’t create the damage.

  • 01Never stack hard objects on a LEGO box — the corner of another box is the most common dent source.
  • 02Ship with 3+ inches of padding on every face; air pillows alone aren't enough for heavy sets.
  • 03Avoid grip pressure when picking up the box — the cardboard substrate dents from sustained finger pressure even without visible cosmetic damage.
  • 04Inspect deliveries on arrival and document any dents before opening the outer carton.
Get the verdict for your box

See your dent damage scored.

Upload six photos and BrickGauge measures the dent damage on your specific box, scores it on the surface axis, and rolls it into an overall verdict. Two free inspections on signup — credits never expire.

Dent damage FAQ

Frequent questions about dent damage.

Will a small dent on the back of a LEGO box affect grading?

Sub-5mm dents on the back face with no depth — usually no impact. Larger or deeper dents — caps you at EX 8.0 regardless of face. Graders aren't generous about ignoring back-face damage on high-tier submissions.

How do I tell if a LEGO box dent is structural?

Look from the side. A cosmetic dent is visible only on the affected face; a structural dent shows on the adjacent side too — meaning the cardboard has deformed through the substrate. Structural dents drop two grade tiers; cosmetic dents drop one.

Does dent damage reduce LEGO box value?

10–25% typical impact depending on size, face, and depth. Front-face dents on flagship sets (UCS, Modulars) often drop value enough that grading is no longer worth it.

LEGO Box Dent damage Grading — Value Impact & AI Detection | BrickGauge