Where to Get Pokémon Cards Graded

So, you've heard that having your Pokémon cards graded can add value, but where do you actually send them? You have three options: submit them directly to a grading company, go through a bulk submitter such as a local card shop, or drop them off in person at a grading company's submission centre.

Should You Grade It?

Stop. Before you submit your card for grading, do you know whether it's worth spending the money and the wait? If you haven't checked yet, now is the time.

Graders assess four main areas: centering, corners, edges, and surface. All four affect the grade your card receives, which in turn drives its potential value. Of course, if the card is low-value to begin with, a high grade won't turn it into a four-figure card.

Knowing what graders look for doesn't mean you can predict the final grade by eyeballing it. A free place to start is CardTrack's AI Card Grader: upload a photo of your card and it assesses the condition and gives you an estimated grade. It isn't a guarantee of what a professional grader will award, but it helps you spot problems before you pay for a submission.

If the result looks promising, run the card through our Grading ROI Calculator to estimate the return after grading costs, or check whether it appears among the best Pokémon cards to grade, ranked by expected profit after fees.

The Graders

If all three checks say your card is worth grading, the next step is choosing a grader. When you research Pokémon card graders you'll keep running into four names: PSA, CGC, Beckett (BGS) and TAG. Each has different fees, turnaround times and grading standards — our grading cost breakdown will help you budget before you submit. Here's a closer look at each.

PSA

PSA, short for Professional Sports Authenticator, has been grading cards since 1991 and has built a reputation as one of the leading grading companies — and yes, it grades far more than Pokémon. PSA uses a 1-to-10 grading scale, with 1 the lowest and 10 (Gem Mint) the highest.

PSA-graded Pokémon cards tend to attract the strongest resale demand, partly through name recognition. The trade-off is cost: PSA's entry-level tier costs more than CGC's, and its cheapest tiers can come with long waits.

CGC

CGC, or Certified Guaranty Company, also uses a 10-point scale, with its Pristine 10 gold label reserved for the very best cards. CGC is a popular alternative to PSA because its fees are easier on the pocket and its turnaround times are often shorter, which is why many collectors use it for cards they plan to keep. On resale, PSA slabs still generally command more, but CGC has been closing the gap.

Fun fact: some CGC slabs carry individual scores for the card's centering, corners, edges and surface, so don't be surprised if you spot subgrades on a CGC label.

Beckett (BGS)

If you want subgrades, Beckett Grading Services (BGS) is known for them: centering, corners, edges and surface are each scored individually. A card that scores a perfect 10 on all four subgrades earns the rare Black Label.

TAG

Lastly, there's TAG, a newer grader known for its transparency. Instead of leaving you with a number and little explanation, TAG gives you a detailed report on why your card received its score, which you can pull up from the code on the slab's label.

Direct vs Bulk Submitters

Once you've picked a grading company, you'll need to decide whether to submit directly or use a bulk submitter.

Submitting directly means you control everything, from choosing the service tier and completing the submission form to packing and shipping your cards. It sounds like a hassle, but for a high-value card you'll want that control — we've written up the full submission process step by step.

Bulk submitters are usually local shops that collect cards from many customers and send them to a grading company together. They handle the submission for you and charge a fee for the service. The upside is convenience: you hand over your card, they take care of everything including shipping, and you wait for it to come back graded.

The downside is that your card is out of your hands for longer, with more chances for it to be lost or damaged along the way. That's why collectors tend to use bulk submitters for lower-value cards and submit their most valuable cards themselves.

Tip: if you're joining a bulk submission, ask whether it's insured and how claims for lost or damaged cards work.

Drop-off

If you'd rather not pay for shipping or join a bulk submission, you can drop your card off in person at a grading company's submission centre. That doesn't mean you can walk in whenever you like: centres run set hours or work by appointment, and you'll usually need to complete the submission form online beforehand, so check the grader's website before you go.

If there's no submission centre near you, keep an eye on card shows and conventions coming to your area. Grading companies sometimes attend and accept submissions on-site, and some events even offer on-site grading, so check what's available before you go.

FAQ

Is a Graded Card Worth More?

Not always. A graded card can sell for more than a raw copy, but the difference depends on the card, the grade and demand. A low-value card might not gain enough to cover grading and shipping costs, even with a high grade. For the fuller argument, read whether grading is worth it.

Is It Cheaper to Drop Off a Card for Grading?

Dropping a card off saves you the cost of insured shipping to the grading company, but it doesn't reduce the grading fee itself. If the submission centre is a long drive away, factor in your travel costs too — it isn't much of a win if getting there costs more than the postage.

Is a Group Submission Faster Than Submitting Directly?

Not necessarily. A group submission saves on shipping, but turnaround still depends on the grading company, the service tier and its current backlog. The submitter may also need time to collect cards and organise the shipment before it reaches the grader.

Grading times range widely: premium tiers can come back in days, while economy and bulk tiers can run to 90 days or more. Ask the submitter whether their own handling time is included in the turnaround they quote.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Pokémon Card Graded?

It depends on the grading company, the service tier and the card's declared value. As a rule of thumb, faster turnaround and higher declared values mean a more expensive tier, and you'll need to add shipping, insurance and any submission fees on top. For current rates, use our grading cost comparison for PSA, CGC and BGS before you submit, as fees and service options change.