PSA Fee Schedule 2025: Complete Breakdown

If you plan to grade cards in 2025, you need a clear, no‑nonsense read on how PSA pricing actually works, where the costs come from, what changed this year, and how to choose the most cost‑effective tier for your cards. As collectors and graders here at CardChasers, we navigate PSA's fee schedule daily for everything from entry‑level slabs to grail‑tier Express. This guide breaks down PSA's 2025 fee structure, turnaround expectations, policies, and smart strategies, so you pay for speed when it matters and save when it doesn't. And if you want help with submissions, you can always tap our team or start through our Grading page.

What Changed In 2025

New Or Updated Price Tiers

PSA's 2025 fee schedule continues the tiered approach tied to declared value and service level. While PSA's exact price points can shift during the year (especially for promos and bulk), the broad structure remains consistent:

• Entry/value tiers exist for lower-declared-value cards and slower turnaround.

• Mid-tier options (Regular/Express) prioritize speed for mid- to higher-value cards.

• Premium tiers (Super Express/Walk-Through and above) cover high-value cards with expedited handling.

What's new in 2025 is less about brand-new tiers and more about tuned thresholds and occasional limited-time offers that narrow the gap between Value/Economy and Regular. In short: PSA aims to keep entry-level grading accessible while still reserving priority lanes for high-value submissions.

If you're stacking a submission, keep an eye on seasonal promotions (they've been more predictable lately) and the fine print on declared value brackets, which can change where a card lands.

Turnaround Time Adjustments

Turnaround times (TATs) are posted as estimates, not guarantees. In 2025, PSA has refined public TAT windows to better reflect real throughput, meaning the posted ranges line up more closely with actual experience. That's good for planning.

Here's the gist:

• Economy/Value: slower, but more stable than the backlog years.

• Regular: the everyday workhorse tier with consistent, predictable TATs.

• Express and higher: still fast, but final timing depends on volume spikes (show seasons, major releases, etc.).

Policy Changes Affecting Submissions

2025 policy tweaks are mostly clarifications:

• Declared value accuracy matters more. PSA continues to reserve the right to upcharge if a grade would push market value above your selected tier. Expect stricter enforcement on obvious under-declarations.

• Clearer guidance on crossovers and minimum grades: you'll see more explicit options at submission to avoid unwanted outcomes.

• Packaging and shipping standards are emphasized, especially for bulk and high-value tiers. Expect PSA to lean on best practices to limit damage risk.

As always, double-check PSA's live standards before you ship. And if you want a hand choosing tiers or packing properly, we've got you covered on our Grading page.

How PSA Pricing Works

Declared Value And How It Drives Fees

Declared value is your good‑faith estimate of the card's market value after grading. It determines:

• Which tiers are available for that card

• Your insurance/coverage during shipment and while at PSA

• Whether PSA may apply an upcharge if the assigned grade pushes the card's value beyond the selected tier's limit

Two rules of thumb:

1. Don't intentionally lowball declared value to access cheaper tiers. If your card grades higher and the market value exceeds the tier cap, PSA can (and often will) upcharge to the correct level.

2. Use recent sales comps for your estimate. Include set, parallel, serial number, and condition risk.

Service Levels Versus Estimated Turnaround

Service levels are essentially queues. The higher the tier, the faster the line moves. TATs are posted ranges, not promises. Seasonal spikes (new product releases, major shows) can move the needle.

• Value/Economy: Lowest price, longest wait.

• Regular: Balanced pricing vs. speed for most collector cards.

• Express/Super Express/Walk‑Through: Pay for speed and priority handling, ideal for high‑value submissions.

Membership, Submission Types, And Minimums

• Membership: PSA has offered memberships that unlock certain submission types or pricing. If you're grading regularly or planning bulk, membership can pay for itself quickly.

• Bulk: Typically requires card minimums per order and may be restricted to certain eras or categories (e.g., Modern, Ultra-Modern, TCG). Expect tighter declared-value caps.

• Submission type: You'll choose between grading, reholder, crossover, review/regrade, and various authentication services, each with its own pricing logic.

If you want us to package a submission under the most favorable structure for your mix, Modern, Vintage, TCG, we handle it end‑to‑end at CardChasers.

Card Grading Tiers And Turnaround Times

Entry, Value, And Economy Levels

Best for:

• Lower-declared-value cards where you're optimizing cost per slab

• PC cards where speed isn't critical

What to expect:

• Tighter declared-value caps

• Longest TATs among the grading tiers

• Occasional promos that bring costs down if you meet minimums or category rules

Tip: If you're mixing a few high-value cards with a stack of lower-value ones, split the order. One card bumping tiers can complicate billing and timelines.

Regular, Express, And Super Express

• Regular: The sweet spot for many submissions, strong balance of price and speed, broad declared-value ceiling. If you're eyeing resale within a month or two, Regular often makes sense.

• Express: You pay for faster movement through the line and a higher declared-value ceiling. Ideal for cards where timing matters (seasonal hype, show flips, release-week moves).

• Super Express: For higher-value cards that need priority handling and quick turnaround. Expect premium pricing.

Walk-Through And Premium Handling

• Walk‑Through: Fastest service offered for graded cards with very high declared values. You're paying for speed, security, and expert handling.

• Premium/Collectors-level concierge options may exist at major shows or by arrangement, with pricing reflecting white-glove handling.

Add-Ons: Imaging, Pedigrees, And Special Labels

• High-Resolution Imaging: Pay a per‑card fee to receive PSA images, useful for selling or provenance.

• Pedigrees/Player or Event Notations: Custom text requires eligibility and a small fee. Great for set registries or provenance.

• Special Labels/Slab Design Options: Occasionally available for specific promotions or sets: typically priced as add‑ons.

Small add‑ons can be worth it if you plan to sell online, clean PSA images and a clear pedigree can bump trust and price. If you need supplies to prep clean subs, grab sleeves, card savers, and microfiber cloths from our Store.

Bulk, Events, And Specials

Bulk Submission Requirements And Pricing

Bulk is built for volume and value:

• Minimum card counts per order (often 20+), sometimes category-specific

• Declared-value caps per card

• Reduced per‑card pricing compared to à la carte tiers

Bulk works best when your stack is consistent, same era, similar values, and clear grading targets. Mixing wildly different cards can create headaches with declared value and potential upcharges.

Show And On-Site Grading Rates

At major shows, PSA often offers on‑site authentication and grading. It's convenient, faster, and priced higher than mail‑in services. If you're attending shows for quick flips or immediate encapsulation, the premium can make sense.

We're live at shows and daily streams too. If you like the thrill of the chase, join our live breaks on Whatnot and TikTok: we also route hit cards for grading. Check our Card Breaks page to see what's ripping.

Seasonal Promotions And Limited-Time Discounts

PSA routinely runs promos around hobby lulls or big releases, especially for bulk or specific categories (e.g., TCG, Modern rookies). Timing your submission to a promo can shave meaningful dollars per card. Our team tracks these and can advise on whether you should wait, split, or ship now.

Crossovers, Reviews, Reholders, And Encapsulation Services

Crossovers From Other Holders

You can submit a card in another company's slab to cross over into a PSA holder. Key options:

• Crack or No‑Crack: You can ask PSA to only cross if it meets a minimum grade. If it won't, they'll return it in the original holder (no risk of raw exposure).

• Minimum Grade: Set a target (e.g., crossover only if PSA 9 or better). Pricing reflects the service level plus the work involved.

Regrade, Review, And Minimum Grade Options

• Review/Regrade: Submit a PSA‑slabbed card for a potential bump. You can choose to keep the card sealed unless it meets a target increase, minimizing risk.

• Minimum Grade: This instruction lets PSA know not to crack unless your threshold is met.

Use review/regrade when there's a realistic path to a bump, surface clean-up, updated centering standards, or prior-era leniency/toughness.

Reholder, Slab Damage, And Label Corrections

• Reholder: New case, same grade, useful for scratched slabs, older labels, or display upgrades.

• Mechanical/Label Errors: If PSA made a labeling mistake, they'll correct it under their policy. If you made the mistake, expect a small fee.

• Damage Replacement: Slab damage during shipping or handling is addressed under PSA's terms: insurance and declared value come into play.

Authentication-Only And Encapsulation-Only Services

Not every item needs a numeric grade. PSA offers:

• Authentication‑only for autographs, packs, and certain memorabilia

• Encapsulation‑only for items where protection and legitimacy matter more than a number

For display pieces, we also offer custom framing and hobby displays in-store. If you need help deciding what to slab versus what to frame or authenticate, swing by CardChasers in Laval or reach out via our site.

Autograph, Dual-Service, And Pack/Box Authentication Fees

Autograph Authentication And Grading

PSA/DNA handles autographs with separate pricing from card grading. You'll see different fees for:

• Authentication only (is the auto real?)

• Auto grading (numeric grade for the signature quality)

• Combo services when paired with card grading

Autos add cost and complexity but also unlock higher values for on‑card signatures and key signers. For stickers and pack‑pulled autos, card condition and auto condition both matter.

Card + Auto Dual-Service Pricing

If you're grading the card and the autograph together, expect a bundled structure: one fee for the card's service level (based on declared value) plus a fee for the auto authentication/grading. Dual-service is efficient when the signature materially affects value and you want one clean label.

Unopened Pack And Box Authentication

PSA authenticates and grades unopened packs and also authenticates sealed boxes. Pricing depends on era, rarity, and whether grading (for packs) or authentication (for boxes) is requested. This is popular for vintage where seal integrity and authenticity drive value.

Trading Card Game (TCG) And Non-Sport Notes

TCG and non‑sport follow the same declared-value logic but often see category‑specific promos. Bulk TCG deals are common and can dramatically change your per‑card economics. Condition sensitivity, print lines, and centering quirks vary by set, worth factoring into your declared value and service level choices.

Shipping, Insurance, And Value Declarations

Inbound Shipping, Return Shipping, And Insurance Options

You're responsible for shipping to PSA, and PSA charges for return shipping/insurance based on the submission's value and weight. Best practices:

• Ship in Card Savers or semi-rigids with pull tabs: no top loaders for submissions.

• Use team bags to avoid tape touching cards.

• Double-box high-value subs and use adequate bubble protection.

• Insure for declared value, not just your cost basis.

We can pack and ship for you, white‑glove if needed. Start through our Grading page and we'll take it from there.

Declared Value Brackets And Upcharges

PSA places each service level within a declared-value cap. If a card grades into a value that exceeds that cap, PSA may assess an upcharge to align the fee with the appropriate tier. Upcharges are normal and protect both parties: you get coverage at the right value, and PSA allocates the correct resources.

How to avoid surprise bills:

• Use realistic comps when declaring value

• Split your submission by expected ceiling

• Expect potential upcharges on true gem candidates, serial‑numbered rookies, and pop‑control cards

Damage, Loss, And Coverage Considerations

Insurance follows your declared value and PSA's policies. If something happens in transit or at PSA, documentation matters:

• Photograph your cards pre‑pack

• Keep serials and detailed notes

• Use carriers with tracking and signature options

International And Customs Considerations

If you're outside the U.S., factor duties, taxes, and customs forms both ways. Misstated values can cause delays and risk. For our Canadian community, we handle cross‑border logistics regularly, reach out via our site and we'll streamline the process.

Choosing The Right Tier: Strategy And Cost Scenarios

When To Use Value/Economy Versus Regular

Pick Value/Economy when:

• You're grading PC or inventory without time pressure

• The card's upside is modest and stable

• You're batching 10–50+ similar cards (e.g., TCG hits from one set)

Pick Regular when:

• You plan to sell soon and need predictable TAT

• The card's declared value approaches or exceeds Economy caps

• A market catalyst is near (season start, playoffs, call‑ups)

High-End Cards: Express And Above

Use Express/Super Express/Walk‑Through when:

• The card's value comfortably fits those tiers

• Speed, security, and priority handling are essential

• You're listing at a major show or selling into a short hype window

For grails, add imaging. Crisp official photos help close high‑ticket sales.

Bulk Strategy For Modern Versus Vintage

• Modern/Ultra‑Modern: Centering and surface are king. Pre‑screen ruthlessly. One print line can turn a 10 into a 9 and nuke ROI.

• Vintage: PSA tolerances differ: eye appeal can salvage centering. Still, pre‑screen corners and paper stock. Vintage bulk can be excellent if you're realistic about grade distributions.

Sample Cost Breakdowns For Common Situations

Note: The following examples are illustrative. PSA updates pricing and promos periodically: always verify live rates before you ship.

1. 25‑Card TCG Value Submission (bulk promo)

• Declared value per card: low

• Service: Value/Bulk (promo)

• Add‑ons: none

• Example math: If the per‑card rate is X and shipping/insurance adds Y, your total is roughly 25×X + Y. Add sleeves and Card Savers if needed. ROI hinges on expected gem rate: pre‑screen to your standards.

2. Mid‑Tier Rookie Parallel at Regular

• Declared value: mid

• Service: Regular

• Add‑ons: Imaging

• Example math: Regular fee R + imaging I + return shipping share S. If you're targeting a sale within 30–45 days, paying up for Regular can outpace the slower Value tier via earlier cash‑out.

3. High‑End Auto at Express with Dual-Service

• Declared value: high

• Service: Express + autograph authentication/grading

• Add‑ons: Imaging

• Example math: Express fee E + auto fee A + imaging I + S. Here, dual-service consolidates label info and signals confidence to buyers.

4. Vintage Star at Super Express

• Declared value: very high

• Service: Super Express (or Walk‑Through if needed)

• Add‑ons: None

• Example math: Super Express fee SE + S. For true blue chips, the premium makes sense for faster liquidity and top handling.

Pro tip: Split submissions by objective. A flip stack should prioritize speed and comps. A PC/registry stack should favor cost control and promos. If you want help refining the mix, our team at CardChasers does it daily, start on our Grading page or visit us in Laval.

Conclusion

PSA's 2025 fee schedule isn't complicated once you understand the three levers: declared value, service level, and add‑ons. You'll save by batching similar cards, timing promos, and picking the slow lane when speed doesn't matter. You'll win big by paying up for Regular/Express when timing and higher declared values demand it.

If you want a second set of eyes on your declared values, a pre‑screen before you pay fees, or full‑service packing and cross‑border logistics, CardChasers is here to help. We're live every day, in‑store seven days a week, and always chasing with you. Explore grading support on our Grading page, shop supplies and sealed on our Store, or jump into the action via our Card Breaks. And if you're local or just passing through, swing by our shop, because the chase never stops. Visit CardChasers to get started today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changed in the PSA fee schedule 2025 breakdown?

PSA kept its tiered pricing tied to declared value but tightened value brackets and leaned into predictable seasonal promos. Turnaround time estimates were refined to better match real throughput. Policies emphasize accurate declared values, clearer crossover/minimum-grade options, and stricter packaging standards—especially for bulk and high-value submissions.

How does declared value affect PSA pricing and potential upcharges?

Declared value sets your eligible service tiers, shipping/insurance coverage, and upcharge risk. If a card’s grade pushes market value beyond the tier’s cap, PSA may upcharge to align with the correct level. Use recent comparable sales—set, parallel, serial number, and condition—to avoid surprises and ensure proper coverage.

When should I choose Value/Economy vs Regular in the PSA fee schedule 2025?

Pick Value/Economy for lower-value or PC cards without time pressure, or when batching many similar TCG/Modern cards. Choose Regular when you need predictable turnaround, plan to sell within 30–45 days, or your declared value nears Economy caps. Split mixed-value submissions to control timelines and billing.

What are realistic PSA turnaround times in 2025 by tier?

Times are estimates, not guarantees. Economy/Value is the slowest but more stable than prior backlog periods. Regular remains the steady, predictable workhorse. Express and higher tiers are fast, yet can fluctuate with show seasons and major releases. Expect posted windows to track closer to real-world results this year.

Is PSA membership required in 2025, and does it lower grading costs?

Membership isn’t required, but it can unlock access to certain submission types, bulk rates, or periodic promotions. If you grade regularly or plan volume submissions, the savings often offset the membership fee. Casual graders may be fine without it—compare your projected card count against member pricing before deciding.

Can I change my declared value after submitting to PSA in 2025?

Once an order is finalized, declared values are generally locked. If you notice an error, contact PSA support immediately—changes may be possible before grading begins. PSA can still upcharge if the graded value exceeds your tier cap. If significantly off, consider canceling and resubmitting with accurate comps.