Choose a PSA service level by your card’s realistic value after grading, how long you can wait, and whether you want the extras offered at faster levels. The service level determines the queue, Max Insured Value and included features; it does not change the 1–10 grading scale. As of PSA’s card menu updated on October 29, 2026, Value is open again at $39.99 per card, while Standard is $59.99 and has a shorter posted estimate. These prices and estimates can change, so confirm the current PSA trading-card grading menu before submitting.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Price per card | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value Bulk | Collectors Club members seeking a bulk option, when available | Paused; $500 Max Insured Value | Not available while paused | Nov 2026 |
| Value | Eligible cards when cost matters more than speed | $500 Max Insured Value; 90–100 business days (120 in Japan); standard imaging | $39.99 | Nov 2026 |
| Standard | Cards valued up to $1,000 when you want a shorter posted wait than Value | $1,000 Max Insured Value; 70–80 business days; standard imaging | $59.99 | Nov 2026 |
| Priority | Cards valued up to $1,500; a fitted sleeve is included | $1,500 Max Insured Value; 50–60 business days | $79.99 | Nov 2026 |
| Express | Cards valued up to $2,500; first level with Grader Notes | $2,500 Max Insured Value; 20–30 business days | $199 | Nov 2026 |
| Super Express | Cards valued up to $5,000 when speed and premium imaging matter | $5,000 Max Insured Value; 10–15 business days | $349 | Nov 2026 |
| Premier | Cards valued up to $10,000 needing a faster queue | $10,000 Max Insured Value; 7–10 business days | $599 | Nov 2026 |
| Premium 1 | Cards valued at $25,000 or less | 5–7 business days; premium imaging, fitted sleeve and Grader Notes | $999 | Nov 2026 |
| Premium 2 | Cards valued at $50,000 or less | 5–7 business days; premium imaging, fitted sleeve and Grader Notes | $1,999 | Nov 2026 |
| Premium 3 | Cards valued at $100,000 or less | 5–7 business days; premium imaging, fitted sleeve and Grader Notes | $2,999 | Nov 2026 |
| Premium 5 | Cards valued at $250,000 or less | 5–7 business days; premium imaging, fitted sleeve and Grader Notes | $4,999 | Nov 2026 |
| Premium 10 | Cards valued at $250,001 or higher | 5–7 business days; price steps up above $350,000 Max Insured Value | $9,999 and up | Nov 2026 |
Prices and estimates in the table are PSA’s U.S. list-menu figures read October 29, 2026; estimates are not guarantees. Value’s listed international prices are $56.99 CAD, €39.99 and ¥5,980, with a 120-business-day estimate in Japan. Premium 10 starts at $9,999 for a Max Insured Value of $350,000 or less; above that, PSA adds $399 for each $10,000 or fraction thereof. PSA’s example for a $425,000 Max Insured Value is $13,191.
Which PSA service level should I choose?
Start with the card’s likely market value in the grade PSA assigns, then select an eligible cap and decide whether a faster queue or a particular extra is worth the added fee. Don’t select a tier by the card’s purchase price or by hoping it receives a particular grade.
1. Estimate value after grading
PSA does not appraise a submitted card. Its FAQ describes Max Insured Value as your estimate of the item’s value after it has received a grade. Make a realistic, educated estimate using the grade you think the card could receive and current evidence of comparable sales. PSA points submitters to Photograde, its Price Guide, auction prices realized, trade publications and PSA dealers as possible references.
If you use Assisted Submission, PSA assigns a service level based on its Estimated Graded Value, which draws on historical sales and an expected grade. Review that estimate yourself before submitting. Classic Submission lets you set coverage, but that does not remove the need to estimate the likely post-grade value accurately.
2. Select a cap above that estimate
PSA’s Submission Services Terms say to choose a Service Level with a Max Insured Value greater than your estimate of the card’s post-grading fair-market value. The cap has three jobs: it sets the maximum item value for a claim involving the card while at PSA, the maximum for return-shipping insurance, and the eligible service level and fee. At a tier boundary, don’t assume a cap equal to your estimate satisfies PSA’s stated “greater than” requirement.
As a practical map for U.S. public tiers, Value is the entry point for estimates up to $500; Standard is the floor above $500 through $1,000; Priority covers the next bracket through $1,500; Express through $2,500; Super Express through $5,000; and Premier through $10,000. Above that, use a Premium level whose cap fits the estimate. Treat these as menu brackets, not a promise that PSA will accept an item at an exact cap boundary without adjustment.
3. Decide whether speed or extras justify paying more
You may choose a more expensive service level than the card’s estimated value requires if you want the shorter posted turnaround. For example, moving a card valued at $1,200 after grading from Priority to Express costs about $119.01 more per card on the current U.S. menu. PSA’s estimates differ by about 30 business days at their midpoints, but the faster fee makes sense only if the time matters enough for a sale, show or cash-flow need. It does not improve the grade.
Extras are another reason to pay above the lowest eligible tier. Value and Standard list standard imaging; Priority adds a fitted sleeve protector. Express is the first tier that includes Grader Notes, subject to eligibility. Super Express and higher levels include high-resolution Premium Imaging rather than standard images.
How much does PSA grading cost?
For open U.S. public card tiers, the listed fee ranges from $39.99 for Value to $9,999 and up for Premium 10. The per-card grading fee is not necessarily the full amount you will pay: mail-in customers also pay return shipping, and the public pages reviewed do not establish a single return-postage total for every order.
The live card menu on October 29, 2026 listed these fees and estimates. PSA’s October 28 update shortened the estimates for new Standard and Priority submissions; it did not change Express or faster estimates. The estimates below are business days, not calendar days, and are not guaranteed.
| Service level | U.S. list price per card | Max Insured Value | Estimated turnaround | Included features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $39.99 | $500 | 90–100 business days; 120 in Japan | 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 protector |
| Express | $199 | $2,500 | 20–30 business days | Standard imaging; fitted sleeve; Grader Notes where eligible |
| Super Express | $349 | $5,000 | 10–15 business days | Premium Imaging; fitted sleeve; Grader Notes where eligible |
| Premier | $599 | $10,000 | 7–10 business days | Premium Imaging; fitted sleeve; Grader Notes where eligible |
| Premium 1 | $999 | $25,000 or less | 5–7 business days | Same extras as Premier |
| Premium 2 | $1,999 | $50,000 or less | 5–7 business days | Same extras as Premier |
| Premium 3 | $2,999 | $100,000 or less | 5–7 business days | Same extras as Premier |
| Premium 5 | $4,999 | $250,000 or less | 5–7 business days | Same extras as Premier |
| Premium 10 | $9,999 and up | $250,001 or higher | 5–7 business days | Same extras as Premier |
Prices and service details checked Nov 2026; U.S. list prices are from PSA’s card menu as read October 29, 2026. Value Bulk is excluded from the priced rows because it was paused with no price or reopening date in the October 28 notice.
Is PSA Value back, and how long does it take?
Yes. PSA reopened Value worldwide at 8 a.m. PT on October 29, 2026, for the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan. The U.S. list price is $39.99 per card, with a $500 Max Insured Value. The estimate is 90–100 business days outside Japan and 120 business days in Japan.
New Value orders go behind cards PSA had already received, so reopening the tier does not put new submissions at the front of the queue. PSA also said the reopening would not change estimates for orders already at the company, including orders already running late. Value Bulk remains paused; the reopening of regular Value is not a reopening date for that membership-only bulk option.
Why the cheaper tier has a longer wait
PSA paused Value-family tiers on June 2, 2026, after a submission spike, and has reopened capacity in phases. Its backlog tracker reported 7.2 million active units on October 20, down from 8.2 million on October 6, but still above the 5 million target PSA set in May for a fuller cheap-tier reopening. PSA has not published a date for Value Bulk’s return, and reaching that target is not an automatic reopening promise.
The scale helps explain why a cheap tier can remain slow despite additional capacity. PSA said it was grading about 90,000 cards per day globally in 2026, compared with about 15,000 per day in 2021, and reported that its backlog remained substantial. The 90–100-day figure is still an estimate for the new Value queue, not a guaranteed delivery window.
Does PSA grading take business days or calendar days?
PSA turnaround estimates use business days unless otherwise stated, so weekends and U.S. holidays do not count. The clock does not start when you mail the package or when the carrier delivers it; PSA’s FAQ identifies Order Prep, when the submission barcode is scanned, as the point that starts the estimate.
That distinction matters for planning. A 90–100-business-day estimate spans several calendar months, and inbound transit plus the time before the Order Prep scan adds time before the estimate begins. PSA’s terms say all service time frames are estimates, not guarantees.
What happens if my card is worth more than the tier I picked?
PSA may move that individual card to a higher service level and charge the difference if it determines the card’s fair-market value exceeds the selected tier’s Max Insured Value. The card’s grade is not affected by an understated value, but the fee and processing path can be.
Under PSA’s terms, if you refuse or cannot pay the adjusted fee, PSA can return the item unprocessed at your expense and still charge the original service-level fee. The adjustment applies to the item that exceeds the cap, not automatically to every card in the order. Declaring a low value to try to save money therefore does not guarantee the lower fee or faster handling.
Is PSA Standard the same as PSA Value?
No. Standard and Value are separate service levels. Standard costs $59.99, has a $1,000 cap and a 70–80-business-day estimate; Value costs $39.99, has a $500 cap and a 90–100-business-day estimate outside Japan.
Standard opened on September 14, 2026, as a new public tier. It is not a renamed Value, and Value’s October reopening did not replace Standard. For a card estimated above $500, Standard is the lowest public tier in the current U.S. menu that fits the stated cap; for a lower-value card, it may still be an option if you want its shorter posted estimate.
Are Express and Super Express worth the extra cost?
They are worth considering when the card’s value requires the higher cap, the return timing has real value to you, or the included features matter. They are not a way to obtain a better grade. Compare the actual fee difference with the cost of waiting, and remember that PSA’s clock begins at Order Prep rather than the day you ship.
When Express makes sense
Express is the first tier that includes Grader Notes, a written description of defects, and has a $2,500 Max Insured Value with a 20–30-business-day estimate. PSA currently limits Grader Notes to eligible U.S. trading-card orders: they are not available for PSA 10s, No Grades, Reholders, autograph-only submissions, the autograph side of Dual Service, or orders submitted outside the United States. The feature is not a reason to choose Express if your order is ineligible.
When Super Express or higher makes sense
Super Express is where the menu switches from standard imaging to high-resolution Premium Imaging, alongside the fitted sleeve and eligible Grader Notes. Premier and Premium levels include the same listed extras, with progressively higher caps and corresponding fees. If all you need is a grade and standard images, those extras may not justify paying for a faster queue.
Do I need Collectors Club to submit?
No. PSA’s public Value, Standard, Priority, Express, Super Express, Premier and Premium levels are open without a Collectors Club membership. Membership is relevant for member-only services and offers, not a prerequisite for these public tiers.
PSA’s membership page lists Standard at $149 per year and Premium at $199 per year; Premium includes Card Ladder Pro. The Value Bulk service is a separate, membership-only offering and is currently paused. PSA’s marketing copy mentions a starting bulk price of $24.99 per card, but that is not a currently bookable rate while Value Bulk is unavailable. Do not buy a membership on the assumption that you can submit at that paused rate.
How do I pack cards for PSA?
Use a clear penny sleeve and a semi-rigid holder, with the card visible from both sides. PSA says not to use toploaders, tape, pull tabs or sticky notes; its older submission instructions also warn against hard acrylic cases and screw-down holders. PSA’s Shipping Guide specifies standard-size semi-rigid holders measuring 3 5/16 by 4 7/8 inches.
- Put each card in a clear penny sleeve, then slide it into a semi-rigid holder. Do not use an opaque sleeve.
- Arrange cards in the order shown on the submission form. Keep the stack aligned between two cardboard dividers and secure it with two or three snug rubber bands without crushing the cards.
- Wrap the protected stack, place it in a new shipping box and fill empty space so the contents cannot shift. Put the printed submission form inside the box.
- Tape all box seams. Place the tracking label ID on the outside with its barcode visible; PSA says not to use a label pouch.
- Address the shipment to the correct receiving location for your carrier. For cards, USPS 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.
PSA’s store listed its PSA x Cardboard Gold Card Saver 1 semi-rigid holders in a 50-count pack for $11.99 on October 29, 2026. That is a supply cost, not a grading fee; equivalent Card Saver 1-style semi-rigid holders and penny sleeves are the relevant supplies. PSA says it is not liable for damage or loss during inbound shipping, so use a tracked, insured carrier and pack the cards so they cannot move. Return postage is paid by the submitter, but the exact amount depends on the submission and is not established as one universal public price.
Keep the paperwork and box organized
Each service level, holder size and submission type needs its own form. PSA’s How-To Submit PDF warns that items submitted out of list order can incur a 5% service charge and longer processing. For a mixed-tier box, write the highest-priced service-level name on the outside. Cards with different service levels can travel together inbound, but PSA returns them in separate shipments.
What does the service level change—and what does the grade mean?
The service level sets the queue, coverage cap and features; the grade is a separate assessment of the card. PSA first evaluates authenticity, including signs of doctoring such as trimming or recoloring, then assigns a numerical grade from 1 to 10 when the item is eligible for numerical grading. A graded card is placed in a sonic-weld, tamper-evident holder with a LightHouse label and certification number.
PSA’s Gem Mint 10 standard describes four sharp corners, sharp focus, full original gloss, no staining and centering no worse than about 55/45 on the front and 75/25 on the reverse. A slight printing imperfection may be allowed if it does not detract from the card’s overall appeal. A 10 is not promised by choosing a premium service level.
PSA will not assign a numerical grade when it finds evidence of trimming, recoloring, restoration or questionable authenticity. Qualifiers include required MK (marks) and MC (miscut), plus optional OC, ST, PD and OF qualifiers that a submitter may choose instead of a lower unqualified grade. Minimum Grade is available only on select service levels, so check the current form rather than assuming every tier supports it. If you disagree with an assigned grade, PSA offers a paid Review resubmission; its Financial Guarantee of Grade and Authenticity has restrictions and does not apply to tickets.
When is PSA Value Bulk coming back?
PSA has not announced a Value Bulk reopening date. It said it would reopen lower-priced capacity in phases, and the October 28, 2026 notice still listed Value Bulk as paused. The backlog had fallen to 7.2 million units by October 20 but remained above PSA’s 5 million target; the target is not a scheduled launch date or a guarantee that Value Bulk will reopen as soon as it is reached.
Older forum posts and FAQ entries may refer to retired or paused names. PSA renamed Regular to Priority and Walk-Through to Premier on September 14, 2026; Express also rose to $199 as PSA sought to maintain its posted estimate. Some legacy pages still show Economy, Regular, Walk-Through or Value Plus. Use the live card menu rather than treating those older labels as currently open options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put cards for different PSA service levels in one box?
Yes. PSA permits multiple service levels in one inbound package, but each service level needs its own form and the cards must be arranged in the form’s order. PSA returns different service levels in separate shipments.
When does PSA charge me, and when do I see my grades?
PSA’s FAQ says payment is requested when grading is complete, and grades are revealed after payment is received. An order can be held if the payment method fails.
What if PSA cannot give my card a numerical grade?
A card PSA considers altered or of questionable authenticity may be returned without a numerical grade, and some cards receive a qualifier instead of a clean numerical result. PSA’s paid Review option is a resubmission route for disputing a grade, not a free appeal.