How to Submit Cards to PSA: Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Before You Start

Submitting cards to PSA is straightforward once you understand the process, but mistakes at any stage - wrong service level, bad packaging, incomplete forms - can cost you time, money, or worse, damage to your cards. This guide walks through every step.

Before you submit anything, make sure you have already inspected your cards. Run through a thorough pre-grading checklist so you are only sending cards with a realistic chance of hitting your target grade. Every card that comes back at a lower grade than expected is money lost.

Step 1: Create a PSA Account

Go to psacard.com and click "Submit" or "Sign Up." You will need:

• A valid email address
• Your full name and mailing address
• A payment method (credit card or PayPal)

Account creation is free. You do not pay anything until you actually submit cards. Once your account is created, you can access the submission portal, track orders, and view your PSA Set Registry (if you choose to participate).

If you plan to submit regularly, consider a PSA Collectors Club membership ($99/year as of 2026). Members receive discounts on grading fees, free submissions at certain service levels, and early access to promotions. For anyone submitting more than 10 cards per year, the membership typically pays for itself.

Step 2: Choose Your Service Level

PSA offers several service tiers that differ in turnaround time and cost. As of early 2026, the main options are:

Value ($20-25/card)

• Turnaround: 60-120 business days
• Max declared value: $499 per card
• Best for: Modern cards with moderate value, batch submissions where speed is not critical

Regular ($50-75/card)

• Turnaround: 20-40 business days
• Max declared value: $999 per card
• Best for: Mid-value cards where you want a reasonable turnaround without premium pricing

Express ($100-150/card)

• Turnaround: 10-15 business days
• Max declared value: $2,499 per card
• Best for: Higher-value cards, time-sensitive submissions (pre-sale, market timing)

Super Express / Walk-Through ($200-600/card)

• Turnaround: 1-5 business days
• Max declared value: $10,000+ per card
• Best for: High-value vintage cards, urgent authentication needs

Important: Declared value must be accurate. PSA can reject or reclassify submissions if the declared value is significantly below market value. They use declared value to determine insurance coverage and service level eligibility.

Which Level to Choose

The math is simple: if the grading fee exceeds 10-15% of the card's expected graded value, you are probably better off at a lower service level or not submitting at all. A $50 card is rarely worth the $50 Regular service - use Value or wait for a promotion. A $500 card absolutely justifies Regular or even Express if timing matters.

Step 3: Fill Out the Submission Form

In the PSA submission portal, you will create a new order and add each card individually. For each card, you need to provide:

• Card year: The year the set was released (e.g., 2024)
• Card brand/manufacturer: The publisher (e.g., Pokemon Company, Topps, Panini)
• Set name: The specific set (e.g., "Prismatic Evolutions," "Topps Chrome Update")
• Card number: The collector number printed on the card
• Card description: Player name or character name
• Attributes: Parallel type, variant, or special designation (e.g., "Holo," "1st Edition," "Refractor")
• Declared value: Your honest assessment of the card's current market value

Getting these details right matters. If PSA cannot identify your card because the information is wrong, they may return it ungraded - and you still pay a handling fee. Double-check card numbers and set names against an online database before entering them.

For Pokemon cards, use the official set name and card number format. For sports cards, include the specific parallel name and any serial numbering.

Step 4: Print and Prepare Your Submission Form

After completing the online form, PSA generates a printable submission summary. Print this and include it in your package. This document is how PSA's receiving team matches your physical cards to your digital order.

Write your PSA submission number on the outside of the shipping box as well. This speeds up processing if the internal paperwork and cards somehow get separated.

Step 5: Sleeve and Package Your Cards

This step is critical. Improper packaging can damage cards in transit, and PSA will grade the card in the condition it arrives - they do not account for shipping damage.

Sleeving

1. Place each card in a penny sleeve (soft, clear sleeve). Insert the card top-first, with the front of the card facing the smooth side of the sleeve.
2. Insert the penny-sleeved card into a Card Saver 1 semi-rigid holder. Card Savers are PSA's preferred holder - they have an open top that allows easy extraction without risking damage. Do not use top loaders unless PSA's current guidelines explicitly permit them; historically, PSA has preferred Card Savers because top loaders require more force to extract cards.

What NOT to Use

• Magnetic cases (one-touch holders): Too thick, PSA will not open them
• Screw-down cases: Can actually damage cards through compression
• Tape on the card or sleeve: Never. Not on the penny sleeve opening, not on the Card Saver. If you must secure the sleeve, use a tiny piece of painter's tape on the outside of the Card Saver, away from the card
• Rubber bands around cards: Creates pressure dents
• Stacking cards without dividers: Cards can rub against each other and cause surface damage

Packing the Box

1. Stack your Card Saver-enclosed cards vertically in a small cardboard box or a PSA-specific submission box.
2. Fill dead space with crumpled packing paper or bubble wrap so cards cannot shift during transit.
3. Include your printed submission form inside the box.
4. Seal the inner box, then place it inside a slightly larger shipping box with additional cushioning.
5. The double-box method protects against drops and compression during shipping.

For detailed supply recommendations, see our card preparation guide.

Step 6: Ship Your Submission

Carrier Selection

Use USPS Priority Mail with tracking and insurance, or UPS/FedEx with declared value coverage. Never use standard First Class mail for grading submissions - there is no tracking, no insurance, and no recourse if the package is lost.

Insure the package for the full declared value. Ship to PSA's current receiving address (verify on psacard.com - their primary facility is in Santa Ana, California). Ship early in the week to avoid weekend warehouse delays.

Step 7: After Submission - What Happens Next

Once PSA receives your package: Receiving (1-5 days) - your order status changes to "Received." Research - PSA verifies authenticity and card identification. Grading - professional graders evaluate each card. Assembly - cards are encapsulated in slabs. QA and Shipping - final check, then shipped back to you.

Log into your PSA account to track status updates at each stage.

Step 8: Receiving Your Graded Cards

When your cards arrive back:

1. Open the package carefully. Do not cut through the inner box with a blade.
2. Check each slab against your submission form to verify all cards are present.
3. Verify the grades on each label.
4. Inspect the slab itself for any cracks or defects (rare but possible).
5. Log your results - track your grades over time to improve your pre-screening accuracy.

If you disagree with a grade, PSA offers a review/resubmission process, though grades rarely change. A better approach is to crack the slab and resubmit as a fresh submission, though this only makes sense if you are confident the grade was wrong and the card's value justifies the additional fee.

Pro Tips for First-Time Submitters

Start with a small batch. Submit 5-10 cards at Value service to learn the process before committing a large batch.

Track your gem rate. After your first few submissions, calculate what percentage of your cards hit your target grade. If it is below 50%, your pre-screening needs work.

Use technology for pre-screening. ZeroPop's scanner gives you subgrade-level analysis before you submit, helping you build higher-yield batches from the start.

Time your submissions. PSA occasionally runs promotions with reduced fees or bonus services. Follow their social media and email list for announcements.

Join a submission group. Many local card shops and online communities organize group submissions, which can qualify for bulk pricing discounts.