Cheap Grading Is Gone: PSA's Value-Tier Shutdown and Where Pokémon Collectors Should Send Cards Now
PSA paused its four Value grading tiers in June 2026 with its backlog near 10 million cards. The guide compares PSA, CGC and TAG prices.
On June 2, 2026, PSA paused all four of its Value grading tiers to new submissions: Value Bulk, Value, Value Plus and Value Max. PSA said its backlog was approaching 10 million cards and set a goal of 5 million before reopening them. Its cheapest open tier is now Standard, at 90 to 100 business days. Below: how PSA's prices moved over the past year, what each grader charges for its cheapest open tier, and where a Pokémon collector can send cards.
PSA graded Pokémon cards
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How we got here: five months of tightening
The pause followed a year of higher prices and longer turnarounds:
- First increase: Value Bulk, Value and Value Plus rise, and Value Bulk's turnaround stretches to 95 business days.
- Second increase, across all four Value tiers and Regular, with longer turnarounds.
- PSA announces an 18-month investment and 1,000 new team members, lengthens turnarounds on every tier (Value Bulk to 140 to 160 business days) and raises Super Express.
- All four Value tiers paused to new submissions, with the backlog approaching 10 million cards; Regular turnaround extends to 40 to 50 days.
- A new lineup: Standard and Priority replace Regular as the entry tiers, and Express rises. The Value tiers stay paused.
PSA's prices, tier by tier
PSA's price per card for each tier over the past year. Tap a column to sort.
| Tier | Aug 2025 | Feb 2026 | Jul 2026 | Oct 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value Bulk | US$19.99 | US$24.99 | Paused | Paused |
| Value | US$24.99 | US$32.99 | Paused | Paused |
| Value Plus | US$39.99 | US$49.99 | Paused | Paused |
| Value Max | US$59.99 | US$64.99 | Paused | Paused |
| Standard | None | None | None | US$59.99 |
| Regular | US$74.99 | US$79.99 | US$79.99 | None |
| Priority | None | None | None | US$79.99 |
| Express | US$149 | US$149 | US$149 | US$199 |
| Super Express | US$299 | US$299 | US$349 | US$349 |
US dollars per card, from PSA's price page as archived on August 7, 2025, February 15, 2026, July 15, 2026 and October 8, 2026.
Where to send cards right now
The cheapest open tier at each grader, with its turnaround and limits. Tap a column to sort.
| Service | Price per card | Wait | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSA Value tiers | Paused | None | Paused since June 2, 2026 |
| PSA Standard | US$59.99 | 90 to 100 business days | Cheapest open PSA tier; insured to US$1,000 |
| PSA Priority | US$79.99 | 70 to 80 business days | Insured to US$1,500 |
| CGC Bulk Economy | US$17 | 150 business days | 25-card minimum; cards worth up to US$500 |
| CGC Economy | US$20 | 90 business days | Cards worth up to US$1,000 |
| TAG Base | US$39.95 | About 60 days | 5-card minimum; TAG's Value and Bulk services are paused |
US dollars per card: PSA from its price page as archived on October 8, 2026; CGC and TAG from their own price pages on October 17, 2026.
Who owns the graders
Collectors owns PSA and SGC, which work independently, and agreed in December 2025 to acquire Beckett, which it said stays an independent brand. CGC and TAG are separate companies.
What to watch next
PSA expected the pause to last up to four months and promised a monthly Backlog Tracker. Its price page still listed the Value tiers as paused on October 8, 2026. When they reopen, expect a new wave of submissions, and later more freshly graded modern Pokémon on the market.
PSA grading questions
Is PSA Value grading still available?
No. PSA paused Value Bulk, Value, Value Plus and Value Max on June 2, 2026, and its price page still listed them as paused in October 2026. Its cheapest open tier is Standard, at 90 to 100 business days.
Why did PSA pause its Value tiers?
PSA said its backlog was approaching 10 million cards and paused the tiers to bring it down to 5 million. It expected that to take up to four months.
What is the cheapest way to grade Pokémon cards now?
Of the graders above, CGC's Bulk Economy tier has the lowest fee per card, for US submissions of at least 25 cards worth up to its value cap, at about 150 business days.
Who owns PSA, SGC and Beckett?
Collectors owns PSA and SGC, and agreed in December 2025 to acquire Beckett, which it said stays an independent brand.
Skip the grading queue
Already-graded PSA Pokémon slabs, from PSA 5 to PSA 10, in stock at Quaza Collect.
Sources
- PSA: service level update, the Value-tier pause and the backlog goal (May 28, 2026)
- PSA: the investment, new turnarounds and 2025 volume (May 14, 2026)
- PSA: trading card grading tiers and prices
- PSA: new grading hubs, and SGC under Collectors
- Collectors: agreement to acquire Beckett (December 15, 2025)
- CGC: Bulk and Economy tier update (March 10, 2026)
- CGC: card grading tiers, prices and turnarounds
- TAG: grading tiers and prices
