Card grading
Card Grading Costs 2026: PSA vs BGS vs CGC vs SGC
Updated Wednesday, September 16, 2026 · by the CardsNearby team
Every grading company prices the same way: a per-card fee tied to the card's declared value, with faster turnaround costing more. The differences that matter are the entry price, the declared-value ceiling at each tier, and how each company handles bulk submissions.
The table below reflects published rates as of September 2026 — including the biggest pricing story of the year: PSA paused its budget Value tiers ($24.99–$64.99) in June 2026 while it works through a reported backlog of roughly ten million cards, making the ~$79.99 Regular tier its effective entry point. Many older guides still quote the paused $25 tier — confirm the live rate card before submitting anywhere.
Key facts
- ▸PSA paused its Value grading tiers ($24.99–$64.99) in June 2026 amid a reported ~10-million-card backlog; Regular (~$79.99) is the current entry point.
- ▸CGC's bulk tier (from ~$12/card, 20-card minimum) is the lowest published grading rate as of September 2026.
- ▸A realistic all-in cost per graded card — fee plus insured round-trip shipping — is $18–35 on economy paths.
- ▸Rule of thumb: don't grade modern cards unless the expected-grade comp exceeds $50–75.
2026 fee comparison at a glance
Starting tiers for standard-size trading cards. Declared value (DV) is your estimate of the card's post-grading worth — exceed the tier's ceiling and the grader bumps you to a pricier tier.
Published starting rates, early 2026 — confirm current pricing before submitting
| Company | Cheapest tier | Typical DV ceiling | Bulk option | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | ~$80/card (Regular) — Value tiers ($25–65) paused since June 2026 | $1,500 (Regular) | Value/TCG bulk tiers suspended during backlog | Largest registry, strongest resale premium |
| BGS (Beckett) | ~$20–25/card (Base) | $500 | Limited bulk pricing | Subgrades; Black Label premium |
| CGC Cards | ~$12–18/card (Bulk/Economy) | $400–500 | Bulk from ~$12 with 20+ cards | Lowest entry price, fast modern turnaround |
| SGC | ~$15–18/card | $1,500 on base tier | Volume discounts via dealers | Vintage specialty, tuxedo slab, fast turnaround |
What actually drives your total cost
The per-card fee is only part of the bill. Four other line items decide what you really pay:
- Declared value bumps — grade a card that comes back worth more than your tier's ceiling and you owe an upcharge.
- Shipping both ways, insured — often $20–40 per submission, which is why small submissions have brutal per-card economics.
- Turnaround upgrades — cutting weeks off routinely doubles or triples the per-card fee.
- Minimums — bulk tiers require 20+ cards at most companies, so the cheap rates only apply at volume.
The break-even rule of thumb
Grading only pays when the graded price exceeds the raw price by more than your all-in cost per card. With shipping amortized, a realistic all-in floor is $20–30 per card on bulk tiers. A common collector heuristic: don't grade modern cards unless a gem copy comps for at least $50–75, because anything less than a top grade usually destroys the margin.
For vintage, the math is more forgiving — authentication alone adds value, and even mid-grade vintage often carries a slab premium.
Submitting without shipping: local drop-offs
Hundreds of card shops act as authorized dealers or group submitters — you drop cards at the counter, they batch submissions, and you skip the shipping risk. Group rates often beat retail rates too. CardsNearby tracks shops with verified grading drop-off service by city and state.
Good to know
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to get cards graded in 2026?
Bulk tiers with 20+ card minimums — CGC's bulk rate (from around $12/card) is the lowest published entry point, and SGC's base tier stays under $20. With PSA's Value tiers paused since June 2026, PSA is currently the premium-priced option. Group submissions through a local shop can beat retail rates further.
Is PSA worth the premium over CGC or SGC?
For resale value, PSA slabs usually command the highest premium in sports and Pokémon. For personal collections, speed, or vintage, CGC and SGC frequently deliver better value per dollar.
How long does grading take in 2026?
Bulk and economy tiers typically run several weeks to a few months depending on volume; express tiers compress to days at several times the price. Every company publishes current estimates — check before submitting.
Can I drop cards off for grading instead of mailing them?
Yes — authorized dealers and group submitters accept in-person drop-offs in most metros. CardsNearby's grading directory lists shops with verified drop-off service.
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CardsNearby, “Card Grading Costs 2026: PSA vs BGS vs CGC vs SGC,” updated Wednesday, September 16, 2026. https://www.cardsnearby.com/guides/card-grading-costs
Free to cite with attribution and a link. Data pages update as the CardsNearby directory grows.