PSA Grading Costs: A Comprehensive Guide for 2024

Sports card grading is a crucial step for collectors and investors who want to authenticate and preserve the value of their cards. Regarding grading, PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) stands out as one of the most trusted names in the industry. However, before you decide to grade your cards, you must understand the costs involved in the process.

In this blog, I’ll guide you through What Sports Card Grading from PSA Costs. The different service levels, and additional expenses you should know when grading your sports cards. This will help you decide if you plan to submit your cards to PSA for grading.

What Is PSA Sports Card Grading?

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is a well-established company specializing in grading, authentication, and preservation of sports cards. Their grading system has become a gold standard in the industry, providing a universal scale that collectors and dealers rely on to determine the value and authenticity of a card. PSA grades cards on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being Gem Mint, a perfect card.

For many collectors, PSA-graded cards can command a significantly higher price in the market compared to ungraded ones. But, the process involves a fee that depends on several factors, which I’ll break down in this blog.

Service Level	Cost per Card	Turnaround Time (Estimated)
Value	$14.99	45 Business Days
Economy	$24.99	45 Business Days
Regular	$74.99	10 Business Days
Express	$129.00	5 Business Days
Super Express	$249.00	5 Business Days
Walk-Through	$499.00	5 Business Days

PSA Grading Service Levels: What You Need to Know

1. Regular Service

The Regular Service is PSA’s standard option. It is best suited for cards with moderate value and provides a reasonable turnaround time, usually between 3-6 months. This service is ideal for collectors who are not in a rush but still want their cards evaluated within a decent time frame.

Cost and Turnaround:

• Card Value: Up to $2,499
• Turnaround Time: 3-6 months
• Cost: $74.99, depending on membership and declared value

2. Express Service

The Express Service is a more premium option that offers a faster grading time. If you have valuable cards and need them graded quickly, this service is a good choice.

Cost and Turnaround:

• Card Value: Up to $4,999
• Turnaround Time: 1-2 months
• Cost: $129.00

3. Ultra Express Service

This is one of the fastest services PSA offers. It is designed for high-value cards that need immediate grading. While it’s much more expensive, collectors often use this service for extremely rare and valuable cards.

Cost and Turnaround:

• Card Value: Up to $9,999
• Turnaround Time: 1 week
• Cost: $249.00

4. Walk-Through Service

The Walk-Through service is PSA’s most expensive and exclusive grading option. This service is designed for cards valued above $10,000, offering same-day or next-day grading.

Cost and Turnaround:

• Card Value: Above $10,000
• Turnaround Time: Same-day or next-day service
• Cost: $499.00

Factors Affecting PSA Grading Costs

1. Card Value

• Primary determinant: The value of the card is the most important factor in determining the PSA grading fee.
• Tiered pricing: PSA has different pricing tiers based on the declared value of your card. For example, a high-value card (such as a rare Michael Jordan rookie card) will cost more to grade compared to a low-value card.
• Card appraisal: You will need to declare the card’s value when submitting it, and PSA may adjust the cost based on their appraisal if the declared value doesn’t align with market standards.

2. Card Type

• Different sports: The type of card—whether it’s baseball, basketball, football, or any other sport—can impact grading fees.
• Vintage vs. modern cards: Cards from earlier eras (e.g., pre-1972 cards) might have different pricing, especially when factoring in their rarity or potential condition concerns due to age.

3. Number of Cards Submitted

• Bulk submission discounts: Grading multiple cards at once can lower the per-card cost, as PSA often provides discounts for bulk submissions. This is ideal if you have a large collection to grade.
• Membership benefits: PSA offers club memberships, which give discounts on grading fees when submitting cards in bulk.

4. Service Level

• Speed matters: The speed at which you want your cards graded impacts the cost. PSA offers several service levels, with faster services costing more.
• Turnaround times: Depending on how quickly you want the card graded and returned, you can select from standard, express, or ultra-express services.

Read Also: Michael Jordan Basketball Cards: Top 30 Most Valuable

Additional Costs to Consider

In addition to the base grading fee, there are several other costs that you should be aware of when grading your cards with PSA.

1. Shipping Costs

You will need to pay for shipping your cards to PSA and for their return after grading. This cost varies depending on the number of cards and the insurance coverage you choose.

Shipping Costs:

• Shipping to PSA: You are responsible for shipping the cards to PSA, and the cost will depend on the number of cards and their value.
• Return Shipping: PSA charges for return shipping based on the value and number of cards.

2. Insurance

Given the value of sports cards, it’s highly recommended that you insure your cards during shipping. PSA offers insurance options for return shipping, but you will need to arrange insurance for sending the cards.

Insurance Options:

• Insurance for Sending Cards: You’ll need to select an insurance provider when mailing your cards to PSA.
• Return Insurance: PSA offers insurance for return shipping based on the declared value of the cards.

3. Case Fees

PSA encapsulates graded cards in tamper-evident cases, which helps protect them from damage and maintain their value. While the case is usually included in the grading fee, certain cases (like special labels or customized holders) may incur additional costs.

How to Submit Cards for PSA Grading: Step-by-Step

If you’re ready to get your cards graded, follow these steps to ensure the process goes smoothly:

Step 1: Evaluate Your Cards

Before you submit, evaluate the condition of your cards. PSA will grade based on centering, corners, edges, and surface condition.

Checklist:

• Look for any surface scratches.
• Check for frayed edges or worn corners.
• Ensure the card is well-centered.

Step 2: Choose Your Service Level

Decide which service level best fits your needs, based on the value of your cards and the turnaround time you want.

Key Considerations:

• The value of your card.
• How quickly do you need the card graded?

Step 3: Prepare Your Submission

Fill out the submission form on PSA’s website and declare the value of your cards.

Information to Provide:

• Card details (name, year, and type).
• Declared value for each card.
• Shipping and insurance preferences.

Step 4: Pack and Ship Your Cards

Carefully pack your cards and send them to PSA. Make sure to use secure packaging and insurance for valuable cards.

Packing Tips:

• Use a rigid cardholder or top loader.
• Include your submission form.
• Ensure the package is secure and insured.

Read Also: Caleb Williams Card Craze: Top 30 Most Valuable

Final Thoughts

The cost of PSA grading varies significantly based on the value of your cards and the service level you choose. While it may seem expensive, the value added to your cards through professional grading can be well worth the investment. For rare or high-value cards, grading is almost essential to maximize resale value and protect your collection.