Updated August 2026
PSA Grading
The market standard — and, in 2026, the most expensive door in the hobby. Here's what PSA costs now, how long it takes, and when the slab premium still pays for itself.
Updated August 2026 — verify fees on the official site before submitting
Quick verdict: Grade with PSA when the card's Gem Mint comp clears roughly $300 — the PSA-slab resale premium (10–30% over other holders) still covers the fee gap at that level. Below it, CGC or SGC math is usually better while the value tiers stay paused.
PSA fees in 2026
| Tier | Fee / card | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Value Bulk | $24.99 | Paused since June 2, 2026 |
| Value | $32.99 | Paused since June 2, 2026 |
| Regular | $79.99 | ~10–15 business days · max declared value $1,500 |
| Express and up | $149.99+ | Higher declared values, faster |
Excludes shipping and insurance both ways. Declared-value upcharges apply when a card grades above its tier's cap. Full market comparison: card grading costs 2026.
Why fees jumped in 2026
On June 2, 2026 PSA paused its two cheapest tiers, citing a backlog of roughly 14 million cards. Until they return, the effective entry price is the $79.99 Regular tier — which flipped the math for every card worth under ~$150 and pushed a wave of submissions to CGC and SGC.
What you're paying for
- The strongest resale premium in the hobby. Identical cards consistently sell higher in PSA 10 holders than in any other slab.
- The deepest population data and registry. Set collectors bid on PSA slabs partly to compete in PSA's own registry.
- Liquidity. PSA slabs are the easiest to sell fast — buyers don't have to think.
Before you submit — two free checks
- Measure centering. Worse than 55/45 and the Gem Mint is gone before anyone looks at corners.
- Run the grading math. Fee, shipping, selling costs and honest odds — know the expected value before paying.
Buying an already-graded card instead? Verify the slab first: PSA cert lookup.
FAQ
How much does PSA grading cost in 2026?
With the Value tiers ($24.99 bulk / $32.99) paused since June 2026, the effective entry price is the $79.99 Regular tier, plus shipping both ways. Watch for the value tiers to return as the backlog clears.
How long does PSA grading take?
Regular runs roughly 10–15 business days in 2026; the paused value tiers historically ran much longer. Express tiers are faster at higher cost.
Is PSA grading worth it?
For cards whose PSA 10 comp clears about $300, usually yes. Below that, run the numbers in a grading ROI calculator before submitting — at $79.99 a card, borderline submissions lose money.