Declared value is the value you state for a card when choosing a grading service level. It affects fees, insurance assumptions, and sometimes the grader’s liability limits. It is not a guaranteed sale price, and it is not automatically the value the card will have after grading. If you submit through a local grading shop, ask who chooses the declared value and what happens if the grading company believes the card belongs in a higher tier.
Use recent sales for the same card in plausible grades, then choose a value that matches the service rules and your risk tolerance. Understating value can create insurance problems; overstating value can push a low-upside card into a costly tier. The declared value grading guide goes deeper on examples. Keep a copy of the submission paperwork and photos of the card before it leaves your possession. Declared value is part of the logistics decision, not a shortcut for deciding whether grading is profitable.