Pokémon PSA grading fees in 2025 are a hot topic for collectors, investors, and hobbyists alike. If you’re thinking about getting your Pokémon cards graded by PSA, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re paying for, how much it costs, and what’s changed in the last year. PSA, which stands for Professional Sports Authenticator, is still the most popular grading company for Pokémon cards, but things have shifted quite a bit in 2025. The fees, turnaround times, and even the way PSA structures its pricing have all evolved, and this affects everyone from casual collectors to serious investors.
First, let’s break down what PSA grading actually means. When you send a Pokémon card to PSA, they inspect it, assign it a grade from 1 to 10, and then encapsulate it in a tamper-proof holder. The grade reflects the card’s condition, with 10 being the highest possible score, often called a “Gem Mint.” A higher grade can dramatically increase a card’s value, especially for rare or popular cards. This is why so many people choose to get their cards graded. But PSA doesn’t do this for free, and the fees can add up quickly depending on the value of your cards and how fast you want them back.
In 2025, PSA’s grading fees are tiered based on the declared value of the card. This means the more valuable your card is, the more you’ll pay to have it graded. The tiers are as follows: Economy for cards valued at $0 to $499, Regular for $500 to $999, Express for $1,000 to $2,499, Premium for $2,500 to $9,999, and Super Express for cards valued at $10,000 and above. Each tier has a different fee, and these fees have gone up compared to previous years.
For the Economy tier, the fee is $25 per card. This is for cards that are worth less than $500. If you have a bulk submission of lower-value cards, this is the rate you’ll pay. However, if you’re not a PSA member, the cheapest option for bulk cards is now $28 per card, with a turnaround time of 45 business days. This is a recent change, and it’s made bulk submissions more expensive for non-members. For example, if you have 34 bulk cards to submit, that would cost $952 just for grading, plus around $55 for shipping. That’s over $1,000 for a single submission, which many collectors find hard to justify, especially if the cards aren’t extremely valuable.
The Regular tier, for cards valued between $500 and $999, costs $50 per card. This is up from previous years, and it’s a noticeable increase for collectors who have mid-range cards. The Express tier, for cards valued between $1,000 and $2,499, is $100 per card. This is for higher-value cards that need a faster turnaround. The Premium tier, for cards valued between $2,500 and $9,999, is $200 per card. This is where the fees start to get steep, especially if you have multiple high-value cards. The Super Express tier, for cards valued at $10,000 and above, is $300 per card. This is the most expensive option, but it’s designed for the rarest and most valuable cards that need the fastest possible turnaround.
In addition to the base grading fee, there are other costs to consider. PSA charges extra for declared value, insurance, and expedited processing. If you want your cards insured for their full value, that’s an additional fee. If you want your cards graded faster, that’s also an extra cost. These add-ons can significantly increase the total price of your submission, especially if you’re grading multiple high-value cards.
Turnaround times have also changed in 2025. PSA’s standard turnaround for the Economy tier is now 45 business days, which is much slower than it used to be. For higher tiers, the turnaround is faster, but it’s still not as quick as it once was. This is a major concern for collectors who want to get their cards graded quickly, especially for modern cards where market timing is crucial. The slower turnaround times mean it can take months to get your cards back, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to sell or trade them.
PSA’s pricing and turnaround times have led many collectors to consider other grading companies, like BGS (Beckett) and CGC. BGS is known for its subgrades, which give a more detailed assessment of a card’s condition. CGC is gaining popularity because it offers competitive pricing and faster turnaround times. In fact, CGC is now grading 50% to 70% as many Pokémon cards as PSA, and that number is growing each month. Many collectors are switching to CGC because it’s cheaper and faster, especially for bulk submissions.
Despite the changes, PSA is still the most widely recognized grading company for Pokémon cards. Cards graded by PSA tend to command higher prices in the market, especially for rare and valuable cards. However, the increasing fees and slower turnaround times are making some collectors think twice about using PSA. For lower-value cards, the cost of grading may not be worth it, especially if the card’s value doesn’t increase enough to cover the fee. For higher-value cards, the fee is still justified, but the slower turnaround can be a problem.
It’s also worth noting that PSA’s market share is declining. In the past, PSA graded over 70% of all Pokémon cards, but that number is dropping as more collectors turn to other companies. This could have long-term implications for the value of PSA-graded cards. If PSA loses its dominant position, the premium that collectors are willing to pay for PSA-graded cards could decrease.
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In summary, Pokémon PSA grading fees in 2025 are higher than they’ve ever been, with tiered pricing based on the declared value of the card. The cheapest option for bulk cards is now $28 per card for non-members, with a 45-business-day turnaround. Fees for higher-value cards range from $50 to $300 per card, depending on the tier. Additional costs for declared value, insurance, and expedited processing can further increase the total price. Turnaround times are slower than in previous years, which is a concern for collectors who need their cards graded quickly. Many collectors are now considering other grading companies like BGS and CGC
