You have a Pokémon card that looks unusually clean.

Maybe it is a Charizard you pulled yourself. Maybe it is an older Pikachu that has been sitting in a binder for years. You check recent graded sales and notice something interesting: PSA 10 copies can sell for significantly more than raw ones.

That naturally leads to the next question:

How do you actually get a Pokémon card PSA graded?

The process is not difficult once you understand it, but there are several places where first-time submitters can make expensive mistakes. Choosing the wrong service level, estimating the card's value incorrectly, using outdated packaging advice, or submitting a card that never had realistic grading upside can turn a promising submission into wasted time and money.

This guide walks through the entire PSA submission process as it stands in 2026—from deciding whether your card is worth grading to selecting a service level, packaging your cards correctly, shipping them safely, tracking the order, and calculating whether grading makes financial sense.

If you are completely new to grading, start with our guide to PSA graded Pokémon cards to understand how PSA grades, slabs, authentication, population and card value fit together.

PSA Service Update — September 2026

PSA's Value service tiers have been temporarily paused since June 2, 2026. On September 14, PSA introduced a new Standard service priced at $59.99 per card with an estimated 90–100 business-day turnaround time and a $1,000 Maximum Insured Value.

Value and Value Bulk remain unavailable for new submissions as of September 2026. They have not been permanently discontinued.

Part 1 — Current PSA Grading Costs and Service Levels in 2026

Before submitting anything, understand what PSA currently charges.

For U.S. submissions, PSA's main open trading-card grading levels as of September 2026 are:

PSA also offers higher-priced Premium tiers for cards whose values exceed $10,000.

These prices and turnaround times can change, and international pricing may differ, so always check PSA's current service page immediately before submitting.

What Happened to PSA Value and Value Bulk?

This is important because many grading tutorials still show older Value pricing.

In May 2026, PSA reported a roughly 20% increase in submissions that added about 1.6 million cards to its active backlog, pushing that backlog toward 10 million cards.

PSA responded by temporarily pausing new submissions across its Value tiers beginning June 2.

The pause included:

• Value Bulk
• Value
• Value Plus
• Value Max

PSA later launched the new Standard level on September 14 at $59.99 per card.

Standard did not permanently replace Value. PSA has said it intends to reopen additional service levels in phases as capacity and backlog conditions improve.

That distinction matters.

If you see another 2026 guide telling you that PSA Value still costs $20–$30 per card, the information is outdated. But it is also inaccurate to say Value grading is gone forever.

For now, Standard is simply the lowest-priced generally available U.S. grading level.

What Does Maximum Insured Value Mean?

One of the most confusing parts of submitting to PSA is Maximum Insured Value, or MIV.

MIV is not simply your card's raw market price.

Instead, you should estimate what the card could reasonably be worth after grading and choose a service level whose MIV can accommodate that value.

For example, imagine a raw Pokémon card is worth approximately $500, but comparable high-grade copies suggest it could be worth around $1,300 after grading.

Standard has an MIV of $1,000.

Priority has an MIV of $1,500.

In that situation, Priority may be the more appropriate service level even though the raw card itself is worth less than $1,000.

PSA automatically assigns the MIV associated with the service level you choose. You are not manually purchasing an arbitrary PSA insurance limit.

If PSA determines after grading that a card's value exceeds the MIV of the selected service level, it may move that individual card to a higher service level and charge the corresponding additional fee.

For loss or damage while the card is in PSA's care, coverage is generally limited to the lower of the card's fair market value or the applicable MIV.

Do You Need a PSA Collectors Club Membership?

For a normal submission at an open public service level, no paid membership is required.

You can create a free PSA account and submit cards through PSA's Online Submission Center.

PSA also offers paid Collectors Club memberships:

• Standard: $149 per year
• Premium: $199 per year

Paid memberships include additional benefits, and historically one of the biggest attractions has been access to Bulk pricing and member grading specials.

However, both Bulk access and member-exclusive grading specials are currently listed as temporarily paused.

So if you are a beginner submitting only a few Pokémon cards through Standard, Priority or another open level, there is no need to buy a membership simply to make your first submission.

Part 2 — Before You Submit: Is the Card Actually Worth Grading?

A common beginner rule says:

"If the raw card is worth more than $50, grade it."

That rule is too simplistic.

Whether grading makes sense depends on three things:

condition + grade premium + total grading cost

A $300 raw card can still be a bad grading candidate if a PSA 9 sells for roughly the same amount and the card has little realistic chance of PSA 10.

Meanwhile, a less expensive card can sometimes make sense if high-grade examples are scarce and collectors pay a large premium for them.

The age of the card is not the deciding factor.

The economics of the specific card are.

Check the Card's Condition First

Before paying PSA anything, examine the card carefully under good lighting.

Pay particular attention to:

• Centering
• Corners
• Edges
• Surface scratches
• Print lines
• Whitening on the back
• Dents or indentations
• Stains or marks

For a PSA 10 candidate, small flaws matter.

A card can look perfect inside a binder and still reveal edge whitening, a surface line or weak centering when viewed under direct light.

PSA 10 is PSA's Gem Mint grade. If you are specifically targeting a 10, understanding the difference between PSA 9 and PSA 10 is more important than simply deciding whether the card "looks clean."

Take Photos Before Shipping

Before placing the card into its final submission holder, photograph it.

Take clear images of:

• Front
• Back
• Corners
• Any existing defects

This gives you a basic condition record before the card enters the shipping process.

For particularly valuable cards, keeping detailed photographs and shipping documentation is simply good collecting practice.

Don't Try to "Improve" the Card Before Grading

Be careful with online advice about cleaning cards before PSA submission.

PSA will not numerically grade cards when it finds evidence of certain alterations or restoration. Its grading standards specifically identify issues such as trimming, recoloring, pressing, scratch removal, enhanced gloss and the use of foreign substances.

Cleaning solutions or substances applied to the surface can also create problems.

The safest approach for a beginner is simple:

Do not attempt to restore the card before submission.

Do not polish it.

Do not use cleaning chemicals.

Do not try to remove scratches.

Do not press bends or wrinkles.

Handle the card carefully by the edges and focus on protecting its existing condition rather than trying to manufacture a better one.

Part 3 — How to Submit Pokémon Cards to PSA Step by Step

Once you have decided the card is a reasonable grading candidate, the actual submission process is relatively straightforward.

Step 1: Create a PSA Account

Create a free PSA customer account and open the Online Submission Center.

PSA guides you through the submission process electronically.

For ordinary trading-card grading, you no longer need to fill out an old carbon-copy paper submission form.

Step 2: Identify the Exact Pokémon Card

This is more important than it sounds.

Do not think of your card as simply:

Charizard

You need to identify the exact version.

Check details such as:

• Year
• Set
• Card number
• Character
• Variant
• Language
• Holo or non-holo version
• Parallel or special treatment, if applicable

For example:

2023 Pokémon Obsidian Flames Charizard ex #125/197

is far more useful than simply:

Charizard ex

Pokémon frequently has multiple cards featuring the same character in the same era, so accurate identification helps prevent research and labeling delays.

Step 3: Choose the Appropriate Service Level

Next, estimate what the card could reasonably be worth once graded.

Do not automatically choose the cheapest service.

Use the service tier whose MIV appropriately covers the card's expected graded value.

For many typical collector submissions under $1,000 in expected graded value, Standard may be sufficient.

For more valuable cards, you may need Priority, Express or a higher tier.

Remember:

Service level selection is based on expected graded value—not simply what you paid for the raw card.

Step 4: Complete the Submission and Print the Paperwork

Once your submission is complete, PSA provides the confirmation paperwork and the label/barcode information needed for the shipment.

Print the required submission form and include it inside the box.

PSA also provides a tracking or submission label that should be attached to the outside of the package according to its current instructions.

One important clarification:

Your card does not already have its final PSA certification number at this stage.

The certification number appears later in the grading and encapsulation process.

Part 4 — How to Package Pokémon Cards for PSA

This is one part of the process where following old YouTube tutorials can cause unnecessary problems.

PSA has a specific current packaging process.

The supplies you will generally need are:

• Clear penny sleeves
• Semi-rigid card holders
• Two cardboard dividers
• Rubber bands
• Bubble wrap or protective packing material
• A new shipping box
• Packing tape
• Printed submission paperwork

For standard trading cards, PSA currently specifies semi-rigid holders measuring approximately 3 5/16" × 4 7/8".

The Correct PSA Packaging Order

1. Put the Card in a Clear Penny Sleeve

Carefully insert the card into a clear penny sleeve.

Avoid opaque or solid-colored sleeves because PSA needs the card to remain easy to inspect and identify during intake.

2. Put the Sleeved Card in a Semi-Rigid Holder

Insert the sleeved card into a semi-rigid holder.

PSA specifically instructs submitters not to use toploaders, tape, pull tabs or sticky notes around individual cards.

That means advice such as:

"Put painter's tape across your Card Saver so PSA can pull it out"

should no longer be followed.

3. Put Multiple Cards in Submission Order

If you are submitting multiple cards, stack them in the exact same order shown on your submission form.

Item #1 goes on top.

Do not reorganize the cards after completing the online submission.

4. Sandwich the Stack Between Cardboard

Place the stack between two cardboard dividers.

The cardboard should protect the cards without crushing them.

5. Secure the Stack With Rubber Bands

PSA recommends using two to three rubber bands.

They should be tight enough to keep the stack from moving, but not so tight that they place pressure on the holders.

6. Wrap and Box the Cards

Wrap the secured stack in bubble wrap or similar protective packing material.

Place it inside a new cardboard shipping box, not an envelope.

Fill empty space so the card stack cannot move freely inside the box.

7. Include the Submission Form

Place the printed submission paperwork inside the box.

If multiple submissions are traveling inside one outer package, keep each submission separately bundled and organized.

8. Seal the Shipping Box

Use proper packing tape on the outside of the shipping box.

This is different from taping individual card holders.

PSA specifically advises against using painter's tape, thin Scotch tape or reused tape to seal the shipping box.

9. Apply the PSA Tracking/Submission Label

Attach the barcode or tracking label supplied on the confirmation page to the outside of the package.

Keep the barcode clearly visible.

Part 5 — Ship the Package and Protect It in Transit

Once the package is ready, use the shipping address PSA provides for your submission and carrier.

This matters because PSA has different receiving addresses depending on the shipping method and type of collectible.

Do not rely on an address copied from a five-year-old forum post.

Check the current PSA shipping instructions immediately before mailing.

Use tracking and retain:

• Tracking number
• Shipping receipt
• Submission number
• Photos of the cards
• Photos of the packed shipment if appropriate

PSA's MIV Does Not Automatically Cover Your Package on the Way to PSA

This is one of the most important details for valuable submissions.

PSA does not automatically insure your cards while they are traveling to PSA.

PSA's included MIV coverage begins after PSA confirms that the item has arrived in its care.

That means:

If a carrier loses your package before PSA receives it, PSA's MIV does not automatically reimburse you.

Collectors can choose appropriate third-party inbound shipping insurance.

For eligible U.S. FedEx submissions, PSA currently also allows customers to add inbound insurance from its insurance partner during checkout.

Before sending a valuable raw card, check whether your chosen shipping protection actually covers ungraded collectibles and how the insurer determines their value.

Do not assume that every carrier's ordinary declared-value program protects collectibles in the same way.

Part 6 — How Long Does PSA Grading Take?

The cheapest currently available U.S. service, Standard, has an estimated turnaround time of 90–100 business days.

Priority is estimated at 70–80 business days.

Express is significantly faster at 20–30 business days.

The important word is:

estimated

PSA does not guarantee those turnaround times.

Submission volume, intake capacity and other operational conditions can affect processing.

Also, do not start counting from the moment you hand your package to FedEx, UPS or USPS.

Shipping time to PSA and PSA's intake process are separate from the carrier drop-off date. PSA's published turnaround estimates are tied to the order being received, scanned or entered into its processing system.

In other words:

90–100 business days does not mean "I mail it Monday and definitely have it back 100 business days later."

Treat the published number as a planning estimate.

What Happens After PSA Receives the Cards?

PSA's process includes more than a grader simply looking at the card and putting it into plastic.

After intake, the order moves through stages that can include:

Research and identification → authentication/grading → label production → encapsulation → grade checks → quality assurance → shipping

The exact status labels shown in your account can evolve as PSA updates its workflow.

Once grading is completed, PSA encapsulates graded cards in its tamper-evident holder and displays the assigned grade and certification number on the label.

Part 7 — Should You Actually Grade the Card? Use Grade Spread Analysis

Submitting a card correctly does not answer the bigger question:

Was grading it financially sensible in the first place?

This is where many collectors focus too much on PSA 10.

They see:

Raw: $100
PSA 10: $400

and immediately assume grading is profitable.

But there is a missing number:

What happens if the card gets PSA 9?

Or PSA 8?

That downside matters.

Question 1: How Strong Is the Card's Condition?

Start with the physical card.

Look at:

• Centering
• Corners
• Edges
• Surface
• Print quality

A freshly pulled card can still have factory defects.

An older card can occasionally survive in exceptional condition.

Do not use age alone to assign an arbitrary "PSA 10 probability."

Instead, inspect the individual copy.

Question 2: What Is the PSA 10 vs. PSA 9 Price Gap?

For some Pokémon cards, PSA 10 carries a large premium.

For others, the difference is surprisingly small.

That is why the comparison between PSA 9 and PSA 10 matters so much when deciding whether to submit.

Imagine two different cards.

Card A

Raw value: $150
PSA 9 value: $170
PSA 10 value: $500

There is meaningful upside if the card earns a 10.

Now consider:

Card B

Raw value: $150
PSA 9 value: $160
PSA 10 value: $220

Even a PSA 10 may not create much profit after grading, shipping and selling costs.

The raw value is identical.

The grading decision is completely different.

Question 3: Calculate Expected Value Instead of Dreaming About PSA 10

A useful way to think about grading is:

Expected Graded Value = Sum of each possible grade value × your estimated probability of that outcome

The probabilities will never be perfectly precise.

The point is not to predict the grader.

The point is to stop evaluating every submission as if PSA 10 were guaranteed.

Consider a hypothetical modern Pokémon card:

Raw sale value: $120

Potential graded values:

• PSA 10: $320
• PSA 9: $140
• PSA 8: $90

Now assume, purely for illustration, that after inspecting the specific card you estimate:

• 30% chance of PSA 10
• 60% chance of PSA 9
• 10% chance of PSA 8

The calculation is:

Expected Graded Value
= (0.30 × $320)
+ (0.60 × $140)
+ (0.10 × $90)

= $96 + $84 + $9
= $189

At first glance, $189 looks better than selling the card raw for $120.

But now subtract the grading-related costs.

Suppose grading, allocated shipping, packing and insurance together cost $85.

$189 expected graded value
- $85 grading-related costs
= $104 expected value after grading costs

The raw card could have been sold for $120.

Under those assumptions, grading actually produces a lower expected result.

That is the insight most beginner guides miss.

A large PSA 10 premium does not automatically make a card worth grading.

You have to consider the downside grades too.

If resale is the goal, also remember to account for marketplace fees, taxes and other selling costs where applicable.

Part 8 — Why Modern Pokémon Cards Face a Higher Grading Bar

Modern cards are not automatically bad grading candidates.

But with Standard currently starting at $59.99 per card, the economics are less forgiving for inexpensive cards.

A modern card becomes more interesting to grade when several factors line up:

• Strong raw value
• Excellent physical condition
• Meaningful PSA 10 premium
• Limited high-grade supply
• Strong collector demand
• Enough margin to absorb a PSA 9 outcome

A low-value common card may look flawless and still make little financial sense to grade.

Likewise, "vintage" does not automatically mean "worth grading."

A heavily worn older card can have limited graded upside even if the set itself is desirable.

A better rule is:

Card first. Condition second. Grade economics third.

Do not grade something merely because it is old.

Do not grade something merely because it is modern and freshly pulled.

And do not grade something merely because a PSA 10 listing looks expensive.

Study the exact card.

For a good example of how condition scarcity and collector demand can affect Gem Mint pricing, see our guide to Pikachu PSA 10 cards.

Part 9 — Five PSA Submission Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid

Mistake 1: Choosing a Service Level Based Only on Raw Value

Your $700 raw card might be worth substantially more after grading.

Choose the tier based on a reasonable estimate of its graded value and make sure the service level's MIV is appropriate.

If PSA determines the card exceeds the chosen tier's MIV after grading, it may move the card into a higher service level and charge the difference.

Mistake 2: Following Old Packaging Tutorials

PSA's submission procedures change.

An older tutorial might tell you to use a toploader, add painter's tape or attach pull tabs.

PSA's current guidance instead calls for:

clear penny sleeve → semi-rigid holder → cardboard dividers → rubber bands → protective packing material → shipping box

Always check the current PSA Shipping Guide before mailing a valuable submission.

Mistake 3: Trying to Improve the Card Before Submission

Do not treat grading preparation like restoration.

Scratch removal, enhanced gloss, pressing, recoloring and foreign substances can all create alteration problems.

Protect the condition that already exists.

Do not try to manufacture a better grade.

Mistake 4: Assuming PSA Covers Inbound Shipping

It does not automatically do so.

Your cards need separate protection while traveling to PSA if you want inbound shipping insurance.

Check the terms carefully, especially for expensive ungraded cards.

Mistake 5: Treating Turnaround Time as a Guaranteed Delivery Date

A 90–100 business-day estimate is not a promise that the card will be back in your hands within exactly that period from the day you ship it.

Allow time for shipping, intake and possible operational fluctuations.

If timing matters enough to justify the additional cost, compare Priority, Express and higher service levels rather than relying on an unrealistic deadline for Standard.

Part 10 — How Much Does PSA Grading Really Cost?

The PSA fee is only one part of the total.

A better formula is:

True Grading Cost
=
PSA Service Fee
+ Packaging
+ Inbound Shipping
+ Inbound Insurance
+ Return Shipping
+ Applicable Taxes or Customs

If you are grading specifically for resale, your financial calculation may also need to include marketplace selling fees.

For a Standard submission, the only universal number in that calculation is currently the $59.99 PSA grading fee per card.

Everything else varies.

Shipping a single card domestically is different from shipping ten cards internationally.

A $200 card requires a different insurance decision than a $5,000 card.

That is why statements such as:

"PSA grading costs exactly $80 per card"

are misleading.

There is no single universal all-in cost.

Does Submitting More Cards Save Money?

It can reduce your logistics cost per card, but that is different from receiving a lower PSA grading fee.

As of September 2026, Value Bulk remains temporarily paused.

That means sending 20 cards together does not currently turn the $59.99 Standard fee into the old Bulk rate.

However, batching cards may still allow you to spread:

• Shipping
• Packing materials
• Insurance-related costs

across more cards.

So there can still be an economy of scale in shipping.

There is simply no currently active Value Bulk grading rate available to new submitters.

If PSA reopens Value Bulk later, this calculation may change again.

Part 11 — What If You Want a Graded Pokémon Card Without Submitting One?

There are really two different collector goals.

The first is:

"I own this exact raw card and want PSA to grade it."

For that goal, submitting the card yourself makes sense.

But another collector may simply be thinking:

"I want graded Pokémon cards in my collection."

Those are not the same problem.

If your goal is the second one, you do not necessarily need to:

buy a raw card → inspect it → pay the grading fee → package it → insure it → ship it → wait months → accept whatever grade comes back.

You can buy an already graded card directly.

Or, if you enjoy the surprise element of mystery boxes, HapaBox offers another route.

The HapaBox PSA GRADED CARD box can feature graded Pokémon cards across different characters, sets, grades and grading companies.

The important distinction is that you are not sending your own personal card away and hoping for a specific grade.

You are exploring an existing prize pool of collectible cards.

Because mystery-box inventory and probabilities can change, always review the current box details, available items and odds before participating.

Explore the HapaBox PSA Graded Card Box →

If Pikachu is one of the cards you specifically collect, our Pikachu PSA 10 guide also explains why some Gem Mint Pikachu cards carry much stronger premiums than others.

FAQ: Getting Pokémon Cards PSA Graded

How long does it take to get a Pokémon card PSA graded?

As of September 2026, PSA lists Standard at an estimated 90–100 business days, Priority at 70–80 business days, Express at 20–30 business days, Super Express at 10–15 business days and Premier at 7–10 business days.

These are estimates, not guarantees.

Also allow for shipping and intake rather than counting from the moment you hand the package to a carrier.

What is the cheapest PSA grading option in 2026?

For new U.S. submissions as of September 2026, Standard is the lowest-priced generally available level at $59.99 per card.

Value and Value Bulk remain temporarily paused.

Because PSA has said it plans to reopen additional tiers in phases, check current pricing before submitting.

Do I need a paid PSA membership to grade Pokémon cards?

No.

A free PSA customer account can be used for generally available service levels such as Standard.

Paid Collectors Club memberships offer additional benefits, but Bulk access and member grading specials are currently temporarily paused.

Can I submit Pokémon cards to PSA from outside the United States?

Yes, but your submission route depends on your region.

As of 2026, PSA directs many APAC collectors through its Hong Kong Submission Center. Japan and mainland China use separate regional procedures.

Beginning September 15, 2026, collectors across the European Union can submit directly to PSA's Frankfurt facility for local grading.

International procedures can change, so check PSA's current regional submission instructions before shipping.

Does PSA insure my cards while I ship them to PSA?

Not automatically.

PSA does not provide its standard MIV coverage while a package is still traveling inbound to PSA.

You can arrange appropriate third-party shipping protection. Eligible FedEx customers may also see an inbound insurance option during PSA checkout.

Should I clean my Pokémon card before PSA grading?

Avoid harsh cleaning or attempts to improve the card's condition.

PSA may decline to assign a numerical grade when it finds evidence of alteration, restoration, scratch removal, enhanced gloss, chemical cleaning or other foreign substances.

For beginners, preserving the card's current condition is safer than attempting restoration.

Can I send cards in toploaders?

PSA's current shipping instructions specify clear penny sleeves and semi-rigid holders for standard trading cards.

The current guide tells submitters not to use toploaders, tape, pull tabs or sticky notes around the individual cards.

What happens if PSA thinks my card is worth more than my service level allows?

If PSA determines after grading that the card's value exceeds the Maximum Insured Value associated with your selected service level, PSA can move that individual item to a higher service level.

You may then be charged the additional service fee.

Can PSA review a card if I disagree with the grade?

Yes.

PSA offers a Review service for cards already encapsulated in PSA holders.

The card must remain inside its current PSA holder when submitted for Review.

If PSA does not upgrade the card, the original grade and labeling remain intact, and the certification number stays the same.

Will PSA put my Pokémon card in a protective case?

Yes.

After authentication and grading, PSA encapsulates eligible graded cards in its tamper-evident holder.

The PSA label displays information about the card, its assigned grade and its certification number.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to get Pokémon cards PSA graded is not really about learning how to mail a card.

The shipping process is the easy part.

The harder—and more valuable—skill is learning which cards deserve to be submitted in the first place.

Before you grade a Pokémon card:

Check the condition.

Compare raw, PSA 9 and PSA 10 values.

Estimate the downside as well as the upside.

Choose a service tier that fits the card's expected graded value.

Follow PSA's current packaging instructions rather than an old tutorial.

Protect the shipment before it reaches PSA.

And calculate the full cost before assuming grading will add value.

A PSA 10 can create a significant premium.

But a PSA 10 is never guaranteed.

That is why the smartest grading decision is not:

"How much is this worth if it gets a 10?"

It is:

"Does grading still make sense if it doesn't?"

If the answer is yes, you probably have a much stronger submission candidate.

For more background on grading standards and collectible value, read our complete guide to PSA graded Pokémon cards.

And if your goal is simply to explore graded Pokémon cards without submitting a raw card yourself, you can browse the HapaBox PSA Graded Card Box.

PSA pricing, service levels, turnaround estimates and submission procedures can change. This guide reflects information available in September 2026. Always confirm current PSA requirements before shipping valuable cards.