Ship Cards to PSA for Grading: A Step-by-Step Guide

Shipping your cards to PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) for grading is an essential process for collectors who want to authenticate and preserve the value of their cards. PSA is one of the biggest sports card grading companies and their certification will greatly add value or your cards. But here is one fact – getting your cards to PSA safely and efficiently needs a lot of attention and preparation. Here in this guide, I will take you through all the steps so that the process is quite clear on the part of how to ship cards to PSA for grading most effectively.

Why PSA Grading Matters

PSA assigns a numerical grade to each card, ranging from 1 to 10, based on its condition. In the market, cards that are graded by the PSA will sell at a considerably higher price than normal cards that are ungraded especially those that have been graded. The grading scale of PSA has been adopted by most collectors and sellers to ensure that the value of their cards is not compromised.

Step 1: Online Submission Process

Create a PSA Account

Visit the PSA Website: The first step is to navigate to PSA’s official website.
Sign Up: In case you do not hold a PSA account, click on the ‘register’ tab and follow the necessary procedures to create one.
Provide Personal Information: Make sure that when filling out a form, you enter the right details such as your name, shipping address, or contact details.

Start a New Submission

Log In: After the creation of your account, you can now log in to start the submission process.
Select “Start a New Submission”: You’ll find this option on your account dashboard.
Choose Submission Type: You will need to choose the service type depending on the value of the card you have as well as the time you wish for the card to be delivered (Regular Service, Express, Super, etc).

Fill Out Card Details

Enter Card Information: Provide information about the card(s) being sent for grading like manufacturer, year, the player or subject featured, and declared value of the card.
Select Grading Options: Select the type of grading service like general grading or authentication of autographs if any.
Review Submission: Ensure that all the information supplied is accurate to prevent making mistakes or taking longer to process them.

Generate a Shipping Label

Generate Label: After filling out this submission form, the PSA will provide you with an option to print the shipping label.
Print the Label: Print the shipping label that is to be affixed to your package and keep it safe.

Step 2: Preparing Your Cards

Protect Your Cards in Sleeves

Use Penny Sleeves: Sleeves are very important to be used to ensure that the cards are safe from dust or any other thing that may damage their surface.
Use Card Savers or Top Loaders: Put each card into a penny sleeve to help reduce fingerprints, dust, and minor scratches on the cards. These sleeves are made of soft material and reduce the possibility of damage to the surface of a card.
Avoid Tape on Top Loaders: In cases where you use top loaders, do not cover the top end with tape as this can harm the card when you want to remove it.

Organize Your Cards

Match Submission Form: Stack your cards in the same order in which they are arranged on the PSA submission form you completed. This assists PSA in processing your submission more efficiently.

Securing Your Cards

Cardboard Protection: Put your sleeved cards between two thick cardboard pieces. This offers an extra safety measure while in transit.
Rubber Bands: Wrap the rubber bands to prevent the cards from getting out of order but do it gently so that they don’t harm the cards.

Step 3: Packaging Your Cards for Shipment

Use Proper Wrapping Material

Wrap in Bubble Wrap: Place the cards inside cardboard and cover them with layers of bubble wrap. This offers support and also acts as a buffer against any shocks that may occur while in transit.

Choose the Right Box

Select a Sturdy Box: Use a sturdy cardboard box that’s slightly larger than the stack of cards. A larger box reduces the risk of the cards being crushed in transit.
Avoid Envelopes: Do not use padded envelopes, as they don’t offer enough protection for valuable cards.

Fill Gaps in the Box

Use Packing Material: Closely pack the box with packing peanuts, crumpled paper, or foam to cover the empty spaces in the box. This minimizes the chances of the cards moving during transportation, which may cause damage to some of the cards.

Secure the Box

Seal with Packing Tape: Once the box is packed, seal it tightly with packing tape. Be sure to tape along all edges to prevent the box from opening during shipment.

Step 4: Attach the Shipping Label

Print and Attach the Label

Print the PSA Shipping Label: Make sure that the label that was created during the online submission is legible.
Place the Label on the Box: Attach the shipping label in a conspicuous spot on the outside of the box being used. See that the barcode is readable and not obscured by any tape.

Double-Check Address

Verify the Address: Double-check the shipping address provided by PSA and ensure it matches the label. Errors in the address can result in delayed deliveries or lost packages.

Step 5: Ship Your Cards to PSA

Choose a Shipping Carrier

Recommended Carriers: Choose a good shipping company like USPS, FedEx, or UPS to ensure safe shipment of the products. All these carriers provide tracking services and insurance solutions vital when sending fragile goods.

Purchase Insurance

Protect Against Loss or Damage: Make sure to purchase insurance for your shipment depending on the value you declare your cards to cost. This helps to guarantee that if your package gets lost or damaged during the delivery process, then you can at least recuperate some or all of the value.

Obtain Tracking Information

Keep Your Tracking Number: Never leave your carrier without asking for a tracking number. This enables a tracking process of the package to confirm its safe destination at PSA or Postal Services Authority.

Step 6: What to Do After Shipping

Cardboard containers sealed with sticky tape for relocation placed near window on sunny day

Track Your Shipment

Check Carrier’s Website: Track your package through the tracking number offered by your carrier. Check the updates in this case to ensure that the package gets to PSA on time.

Wait for PSA Confirmation

Processing Time: The grading may take anything from a few weeks to a few months after your package has been received by PSA.
Confirmation of Receipt: Once PSA receives your cards, they will update your account with the new information. You can log in to check the status of your submission at any time.

Track Submission Status

Check PSA Status: Your PSA account helps you track your submission status. To clarify further, PSA will contact your account to provide information such as when the cards are being graded when they are done, and when they will be back with you.

Additional Tips for Shipping Cards to PSA

Read the PSA Submission Guidelines

Refer to PSA’s Official Guidelines: Before shipping, it is wise to go through the submission guidelines laid down by PSA to avoid getting a raw deal. PSA gives specific advice on what type of packaging to use, how to protect cards, and what shipping companies to use.

Consider Expedited Services

Faster Turnaround: If you need your cards graded quickly, consider paying for expedited services such as PSA Express or Super Express.

Be Patient

Processing Time: PSA grading can still last for weeks or even months, especially during the busy season. Do not be always anxious and do not check your submission status frequently as it may take some time to change.

Conclusion

Selling your cards for grading to PSA entails a bit of preparation and strict adherence to some guidelines. They range from how you generate your PSA account and prepare the cards in penny sleeves to correctly boxing and choosing the right shipping company since everything counts when it comes to getting your cards to PSA and hoping to get them graded well. By doing the suggested steps above, you make sure that your cards are submitted to PSA in mint condition for grading.