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Choose PSA’s service level from the card’s expected value after grading, then adjust for the wait you can tolerate. As of November 2026, Value is the cheapest public option at $39.99 with a $500 Maximum Insured Value (MIV) and a 90–100-business-day estimate; Standard costs $59.99, covers up to $1,000 and estimates 70–80 business days. Priority, Express and the premium tiers buy progressively higher value limits and faster queues—not a better numerical grade. Value reopened worldwide on October 29, 2026, while Value Bulk remains paused. Check PSA’s live trading-card grading menu immediately before submitting because prices, open tiers and estimates can change.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | U.S. price / status | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | Cards worth up to $500 when you can wait | $500 MIV; 90–100 business days | $39.99; open | Nov 2026 |
| Standard | Up to $1,000 or a shorter queue than Value | $1,000 MIV; 70–80 business days | $59.99; open | Nov 2026 |
| Priority (formerly Regular) | $1,000–$1,500 cards | $1,500 MIV; 50–60 business days; fitted sleeve | $79.99; open | Nov 2026 |
| Express | $1,500–$2,500 cards or U.S. Grader Notes | $2,500 MIV; 20–30 business days | $199; open | Nov 2026 |
| Super Express | $2,500–$5,000 cards needing speed | $5,000 MIV; 10–15 business days; premium imaging | $349; open | Nov 2026 |
| Premier (formerly Walk-Through) | $5,000–$10,000 cards | $10,000 MIV; 7–10 business days; premium imaging | $599; open | Nov 2026 |
| Premium 1 | Cards valued at $10,000–$25,000 | Up to $25,000 MIV; 5–7 business days | $999; open | Nov 2026 |
| Premium 2 | Cards valued at $25,001–$50,000 | Up to $50,000 MIV; 5–7 business days | $1,999; open | Nov 2026 |
| Premium 3 | Cards valued at $50,001–$100,000 | Up to $100,000 MIV; 5–7 business days | $2,999; open | Nov 2026 |
| Premium 5 | Cards valued at $100,001–$250,000 | Up to $250,000 MIV; 5–7 business days | $4,999; open | Nov 2026 |
| Premium 10 | Cards worth more than $250,000 | $9,999 up to $350,000, then +$399 per $10,000 (or fraction) | From $9,999; open | Nov 2026 |
| Value Bulk | Collectors Club bulk submissions when available | $500 MIV; no current estimate | Paused; no reopen date | Nov 2026 |
What does a PSA service level actually control?
A service level is the paid processing queue, insurance ceiling and included extras. It does not buy a higher grade. Cards go through authentication and the same 1–10 grading scale at every open level; the tier determines how much PSA will cover, how quickly it estimates completion and whether features such as Grader Notes or premium images are included.
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PSA first checks originality and possible doctoring such as trimming or recoloring. An acceptable card receives a numerical grade, then a tamper-evident sonic-welded holder with a LightHouse label and certification number. A PSA 10 is the top grade, generally requiring sharp corners, sharp focus, full gloss, no staining and centering around 55/45 or better on the front and 75/25 on the reverse, with limited print flaws that do not harm overall eye appeal. Altered or questionable cards are not numerically graded.
Required qualifiers include MK (marks) and MC (miscut). Optional qualifiers such as OC, ST, PD and OF can be chosen when you prefer a qualified higher number over a lower, clean grade. Minimum Grade is offered only on selected levels, so do not assume a cheap tier includes it.
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How do I choose the right tier?
Use this sequence: estimate the card’s fair-market value after PSA grades it, match that value to the MIV cap, and then pay for additional speed or features only if they have a purpose.
- Estimate the post-grade value. PSA’s FAQ defines MIV as your estimate of the item’s value after grading. Use PSA Photograde, the PSA Price Guide, auction prices realized, trade publications or reputable dealers. Assisted Submission can suggest a level from PSA’s estimated graded value, but review that estimate yourself; Classic Submission lets you set coverage manually.
- Pick an MIV above the estimate. PSA’s terms say the selected MIV should be greater than your estimate of post-grading fair-market value. For a card expected to sell for $420 in the likely grade, Value’s $500 cap is eligible. A $1,200 card belongs in Priority, not Value or Standard.
- Buy speed only when the date has value. You may select a level above the value requirement to shorten the queue. The upgrade is worthwhile when a show, sale listing, loan or cash-flow deadline justifies it—not because it improves the grade.
- Add features deliberately. Priority adds a fitted sleeve protector. Express is the first level with Grader Notes for eligible U.S. trading-card orders. Super Express and higher replace standard images with high-resolution Premium Imaging.
For a $1,200 card, moving from Priority ($79.99, 50–60 business days) to Express ($199, 20–30 business days) costs $119.01 more. That is a calculation about roughly a month of estimated queue time, not a grading advantage.
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What are PSA’s current prices and turnaround estimates?
The following are U.S. public card-service prices read from PSA’s live menu on October 29, 2026. Turnaround figures are estimates in business days, not guarantees, and exclude the time before PSA scans the submission into its system.
| Service | Price/card | MIV | Estimated turnaround | Included extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $39.99 | $500 | 90–100 business days | Standard imaging |
| Standard | $59.99 | $1,000 | 70–80 business days | Standard imaging |
| Priority | $79.99 | $1,500 | 50–60 business days | Standard imaging; fitted sleeve |
| Express | $199 | $2,500 | 20–30 business days | Standard imaging; fitted sleeve; Grader Notes |
| Super Express | $349 | $5,000 | 10–15 business days | Premium imaging; fitted sleeve; Grader Notes |
| Premier | $599 | $10,000 | 7–10 business days | Premium imaging; fitted sleeve; Grader Notes |
| Premium 1 | $999 | $25,000 or less | 5–7 business days | Premium imaging; fitted sleeve; Grader Notes |
| Premium 2 | $1,999 | $50,000 or less | 5–7 business days | Premium imaging; fitted sleeve; Grader Notes |
| Premium 3 | $2,999 | $100,000 or less | 5–7 business days | Premium imaging; fitted sleeve; Grader Notes |
| Premium 5 | $4,999 | $250,000 or less | 5–7 business days | Premium imaging; fitted sleeve; Grader Notes |
| Premium 10 | $9,999+ | $250,001+ | 5–7 business days | Premium imaging; fitted sleeve; Grader Notes |
Premium 10 starts at $9,999 for an MIV of $350,000 or less, then adds $399 for every $10,000 (or fraction) above $350,000. PSA’s example is $13,191 for a $425,000 MIV: $9,999 plus eight $399 increments.
International Value list prices are $39.99 in the U.S., C$56.99 in Canada, €39.99 in Europe and ¥5,980 in Japan. The cap remains $500; Japan’s estimate is 120 business days rather than 90–100. The October changes apply to cards only; comics, magazines, games, tickets, packs and other categories have separate menus.
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Is PSA Value back, and is Value Bulk available?
Value reopened at 8 a.m. Pacific time on October 29, 2026, in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan. New Value orders join behind cards PSA had already received, so reopening does not accelerate older late orders. Value Bulk, the Collectors Club-only bulk level, is still paused with no published restart date. Do not treat Value Plus, Value Max or other paused bulk names in older videos as bookable unless PSA’s live menu shows them.
PSA reported 7.2 million units in its active backlog on October 20, down from 8.2 million on October 6, while its stated target for a fuller cheap-tier reopening was 5 million. PSA says global output is now about 90,000 cards per day, versus about 15,000 in 2021, with six hubs and additional investment. Those figures explain why low-cost queues remain long, but they do not turn an estimate into a promise.
When does the PSA turnaround clock start?
The clock starts at Order Prep, when PSA scans the submission barcode, not when a carrier accepts your parcel. “Order Arrived” only means the package reached the facility. Weekends and U.S. holidays are excluded because all stated days are business days. A 90–100-business-day estimate therefore spans several calendar months, and shipping, intake delays and return transit add time.
PSA’s terms state that every turnaround figure is an estimate only. Payment is requested after grading is completed; grades are released once payment is received, and an unpaid order can be held. A small independent 2026 sample of 13 mixed-tier orders averaged 117 calendar days from submission to completion, but that is not a PSA promise or a tier-specific benchmark.
What happens if PSA says my card is worth more than the tier I selected?
PSA can reprice that individual card to a higher service level if, after grading, it determines the fair-market value exceeds your chosen MIV. You pay the difference and the card’s coverage rises to the new cap. PSA does not lower the grade because you estimated too low.
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If you refuse or cannot pay the adjusted fee, PSA returns the item unprocessed at your cost and still charges the original service-level fee. Under-declaring is therefore not a safe way to save money: the possible outcome is a surcharge or an ungraded return, not a discounted submission.
Which extras are actually included?
- Value and Standard: standard front-and-back imaging; no fitted sleeve is listed on PSA’s current menu.
- Priority: standard imaging plus a fitted sleeve protector.
- Express: fitted sleeve and Grader Notes, the first tier eligible for notes.
- Super Express and above: high-resolution Premium Imaging, fitted sleeve and Grader Notes.
Grader Notes are currently limited to eligible U.S. orders. PSA excludes PSA 10s, No Grades, Reholders, autograph-only orders, the autograph side of Dual Service submissions and orders submitted outside the United States. Notes cannot be added to a below-Express order after the fact.
Do I need Collectors Club membership?
No. Anyone can submit to the public Value, Standard, Priority, Express, Super Express, Premier and Premium levels. Membership is for member-only specials and historically bulk services, plus PSA Magazine; Premium membership includes Card Ladder Pro.
The published membership prices are $149 per year for Standard and $199 per year for Premium. The join page advertises bulk “starting at $24.99/card,” but bulk is marked temporarily paused, so membership does not currently guarantee that rate or access. PSA has said memberships active on May 14, 2026 that remain active would be extended during the Value Bulk pause; confirm the treatment shown in your account before relying on it.
How should I pack cards for PSA?
Use a penny sleeve inside a semi-rigid holder, not a toploader. PSA’s shipping guide specifies standard holders measuring 3 5/16 by 4 7/8 inches and says both sides must remain visible. A 50-count pack of PSA x Cardboard Gold Card Saver 1 holders was listed at $11.99 in the PSA Store on October 29, 2026; equivalent Card Saver 1 semi-rigid holders and clear penny sleeves are the relevant supplies.
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- Put each card in a clear, non-opaque penny sleeve.
- Slide the sleeved card into a semi-rigid holder with both sides visible.
- Stack cards in exactly the order shown on the submission form.
- Place cardboard dividers on both sides and secure with two or three snug rubber bands; do not crush the stack.
- Wrap the stack in bubble wrap, place it in a new box, fill empty space and include the printed form.
- Tape every seam, put the tracking-label ID on the outside with the barcode visible, and use the correct PSA address.
Do not use toploaders, tape, pull tabs, sticky notes, hard acrylic cases or screw-down holders. Such packaging can delay processing, and cases may not be returned. For cards, USPS mail goes to CU Receiving, P.O. Box 6180, Newport Beach, CA 92658; UPS, FedEx and DHL go to CU Receiving, 1600 E. St Andrew Place, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Verify addresses on the current form before shipping.
Inbound transit is your risk; PSA is responsible once the items are in its possession. Use an insured carrier, retain tracking and pack so cards cannot move. Each service level, holder size and submission type needs its own form. Mixed levels may share an inbound box, but write the highest-priced level on the outside; out-of-order items can incur a 5% service charge and longer processing. PSA returns split service levels as separate shipments, and mail-in submitters pay return shipping.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Express or Super Express worth it?
Express makes sense when a 20–30-business-day estimate, Grader Notes or a $2,500 cap solves a real deadline. Super Express is for cards up to $5,000 when 10–15 business days and Premium Imaging justify another $150 per card over Express. If you are holding a card for long-term collection and have no sale or event date, Value, Standard or Priority usually preserves more of the card’s eventual net value.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCompare the incremental fee with the opportunity cost. A card needed for a convention in six weeks cannot realistically rely on Value’s 90–100-business-day estimate, while a card bought for a multi-year hold may not benefit from paying hundreds of dollars for queue position. Choose the cheapest eligible level that meets both your MIV and your deadline.
Should I use another grading company instead?
Cost and speed alone do not determine resale results because grading scales, holder designs and buyer liquidity differ. An independent October 2026 snapshot listed CGC Bulk at $17 with a 25-card minimum and about 150 working days, while PSA Value was $39.99 and 90–100 business days. The same snapshot listed a CGC WalkThrough estimate near two working days at $300 versus PSA Premier at 7–10 business days and $599. Those are different companies’ posted estimates and day-count conventions, not a guarantee that one slab will sell for more.
If your buyers specifically seek PSA certification, switching firms to save the submission fee can reduce the eventual sale price or lengthen the sale. Compare recent sales for the exact card, grade and holder before changing companies.
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How we picked the recommendations
The recommendations use PSA’s published MIV caps, U.S. prices, estimated business-day queues and listed extras as of October 29, 2026. The decision order is eligibility first (post-grade value below the cap), then deadline, then useful features and geography. No tier is described as producing a better grade, and all turnaround figures remain PSA estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put different PSA service levels in one box?
Yes. PSA allows multiple service levels in one inbound shipment, but each level needs its own form and cards must remain in form order. Write the highest-priced service level on the outside; PSA sends the completed levels back as separate return shipments.
When will PSA show my grade?
PSA requests payment after grading is complete and reveals the grades once payment is received. An order can be held if the payment method fails, so keep the card available and monitor the submission status after the estimate window.
What if PSA gives my card a No Grade?
Cards with trimming, recoloring, restoration or questionable authenticity are not numerically graded. A No Grade is also one of the cases excluded from Grader Notes, even when the order was submitted at Express or higher.
Does PSA cover a card while it is being shipped to them?
No. PSA’s shipping language places the risk of inbound transit on the submitter. The selected Maximum Insured Value governs claims for loss or damage while the card is in PSA’s possession and the return-shipping coverage, so insure the outbound parcel separately.
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