How to Get Pokemon Cards Graded: Step-by-Step Guide (2026) | CardGrading.app

Whether you have pulled a rare Charizard from a booster pack or unearthed a first edition collection from your childhood, getting your Pokemon cards professionally graded is one of the best ways to protect their value and boost their resale price. A graded card in a tamper-proof slab carries far more trust in the marketplace than a raw card ever will, and top-graded cards can sell for multiples of their ungraded value.

In this guide, we will walk through every step of the grading process with the three major grading companies -- PSA, CGC, and BGS -- including their costs, turnaround times, and how to prepare your submission. We will also introduce a faster AI-powered alternative that lets you pre-screen your cards in seconds before committing to the traditional route.

What Is Pokemon Card Grading?

Pokemon card grading is the process of sending your cards to a professional authentication and grading company, where expert evaluators assess the card's condition on a standardized scale. The grader examines four main attributes: centering, corners, edges, and surface. Based on the assessment, the card receives a numeric grade -- typically on a 1 to 10 scale -- and is then sealed inside a hard plastic case called a "slab."

Collectors and investors grade their Pokemon cards for several reasons. First, grading provides an objective, third-party assessment of the card's condition. This eliminates guesswork and protects both buyers and sellers in transactions. Second, the slab itself physically protects the card from further wear, UV damage, and accidental bending. Third, and perhaps most importantly, graded cards command significantly higher prices. A raw near-mint Charizard VMAX might sell for $80, but the same card with a PSA 10 grade could easily fetch $200 or more.

For a deeper dive into the grading scales used by each company, check out our complete guide to the Pokemon card grading scale.

How to Get Pokemon Cards Graded by PSA

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is the most recognized and popular grading company for Pokemon cards. PSA-graded cards generally carry the highest resale premium, making it the top choice for most collectors. Here is how the submission process works.

Step 1: Create a PSA Account

Head to the PSA website and register for a free account. You will need to provide your name, email, shipping address, and payment information. Once verified, you gain access to the PSA submission portal where you can manage all of your orders.

Step 2: Choose Your Service Level

PSA offers several service tiers, each with different turnaround times and costs per card:

• Value ($19/card) -- 65+ business days turnaround. Best for bulk submissions of lower-value cards.
• Economy ($25/card) -- 45-65 business days. A solid middle ground for most collectors.
• Regular ($35/card) -- 20-45 business days. Faster processing without a steep price jump.
• Express ($75/card) -- 5-10 business days. Ideal for high-value cards you want back quickly.

Keep in mind that PSA also charges higher fees for cards with declared values above $499. For a complete breakdown of all grading fees, see our Pokemon card grading cost guide.

Step 3: Fill Out the Submission Form

Using PSA's online submission portal, enter the details for each card you are sending. This includes the card name, set, card number, year of release, and your declared value. PSA uses the declared value for insurance purposes, so be accurate. Double-check every entry -- errors can delay processing or result in your card being returned ungraded.

Step 4: Pack and Ship Your Cards

Proper packaging is critical. For each card, place it in a penny sleeve first, then slide it into a semi-rigid card holder (commonly called a "Card Saver 1"). Do not use top loaders, as PSA prefers Card Savers for easier extraction. Stack your cards neatly, wrap them in bubble wrap, and place them inside a small box with additional padding. Include your printed submission form inside the box. Ship via USPS Priority Mail, UPS, or FedEx with tracking and insurance.

Step 5: Wait for Grading and Return

After PSA receives your submission, you can track its progress through your account. Cards move through stages: "Received," "Grading," "Assembly," and "Shipped." Once graded, PSA encapsulates each card in its iconic red-label slab and ships them back to you. Turnaround depends on your chosen service level -- budget an extra week for return shipping.

How to Get Pokemon Cards Graded by CGC

CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) has quickly become a popular alternative to PSA, especially for collectors on a budget. Originally known for comic book grading, CGC expanded into trading cards in 2020 and has built a strong reputation for consistency and affordability.

CGC Submission Process

The process is similar to PSA. Create an account on the CGC website, then start a new submission. CGC offers these service tiers for trading cards:

• Economy ($15/card) -- 50+ business days. The most affordable option from any major grading company.
• Standard ($25/card) -- 25-50 business days.
• Priority ($50/card) -- 10-25 business days.
• Express ($75/card) -- 5-10 business days.
• Walkthrough ($100/card) -- 1-2 business days for urgent submissions.

One advantage of CGC is the inclusion of sub-grades on the label for centering, corners, edges, and surface at no extra cost. This added transparency helps collectors understand exactly where a card excelled or fell short. CGC cards may not yet command the same resale premium as PSA, but the gap is narrowing, making CGC an excellent value play.

CGC also accepts top loaders (unlike PSA), which makes packaging slightly easier for first-time submitters. Otherwise, the packing and shipping process is nearly identical -- penny sleeve, rigid holder, padding, and tracked shipment.

How to Get Pokemon Cards Graded by BGS (Beckett)

BGS (Beckett Grading Services) is another well-established name in the grading world. Beckett is known for its sub-grading system and the prestigious "Black Label" designation, where a card receives a perfect 10 in all four sub-categories. A BGS Black Label 10 is considered one of the highest honors in card collecting.

BGS Submission Process

The process mirrors the others. Register for a Beckett account, select your service level, and fill out the submission form. BGS pricing tiers include:

• Standard ($20/card) -- 40-60 business days.
• Express ($50/card) -- 10-20 business days.
• Premium ($100/card) -- 2-5 business days.

BGS uses a half-point grading scale (9, 9.5, 10), which allows for more granularity than PSA. The sub-grades printed on every BGS label break down the centering, corners, edges, and surface scores individually. This is particularly useful for Pokemon cards where centering issues are common due to printing tolerances.

For a head-to-head comparison of all three companies, read our guide to the best Pokemon card grading companies.

The Faster Alternative: AI Card Grading

What if you could get a predicted grade for your card before spending $19 to $100 and waiting weeks for results? That is exactly what AI-powered card grading offers.

CardGrading.app uses advanced computer vision and machine learning to analyze a photo of your Pokemon card and predict its PSA grade in about 30 seconds. Instead of shipping your cards off and waiting 20 to 65 business days, you simply snap a picture, upload it, and receive a detailed condition report covering centering, corners, edges, and surface -- the same four criteria that professional graders evaluate.

This approach is ideal as a pre-screening tool. Rather than paying to grade every card in your collection and risking disappointment on cards that come back as a PSA 7 or 8, you can use AI grading to identify which cards are most likely to earn a PSA 9 or 10 -- and only send those to PSA, CGC, or BGS. This saves you significant money and ensures your grading budget is spent on the cards with the highest upside.

Try it free -- you get 3 complimentary AI grades with no credit card required. After that, additional grades are available at a fraction of traditional grading costs. Check out our pricing page for full details.

Tips for Getting the Best Grade

The condition of your card is locked in before you ever submit it, but how you handle and prepare it can make a meaningful difference in the final grade. Here are the most important things to get right.

Handle Cards with Clean Hands

Always wash and thoroughly dry your hands before touching raw cards. Even trace amounts of oil or moisture from your fingers can leave marks on the surface that a grader will catch under magnification. Some collectors wear lint-free cotton gloves for extra precaution, especially with high-value vintage cards.

Use Penny Sleeves Immediately

Every card you intend to grade should be stored in a clean penny sleeve at all times. Penny sleeves prevent surface scratches from contact with other cards or hard surfaces. When inserting a card into a penny sleeve, slide it in gently -- do not force it, as bending the corners during insertion is a common and avoidable mistake.

Inspect Before You Submit

Before committing to a grading submission, examine your card carefully under bright, direct light. Look for surface scratches, whitening on the edges and corners, print lines, and centering issues. Flip the card over and inspect the back as well -- graders evaluate both sides equally. If you spot notable flaws, the card may not be worth the grading fee.

Check Centering Carefully

Centering is one of the most common reasons cards lose points during grading. PSA requires roughly 60/40 centering on the front and 75/25 on the back to qualify for a PSA 10. You can eyeball this by comparing the border widths on opposite sides, or use an AI tool like CardGrading.app to get a precise centering measurement from a photo.

Avoid Over-Cleaning

While it can be tempting to try to wipe away minor surface imperfections, aggressive cleaning often does more harm than good. Using microfiber cloths or erasers on a card surface can introduce new micro-scratches. A very gentle wipe with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust is acceptable, but anything beyond that risks lowering your grade.

How Much Does Grading Cost?

Here is a quick comparison of the major grading companies' pricing as of early 2026:

Service Level	PSA	CGC	BGS
Budget / Economy	$19 (Value)	$15 (Economy)	$20 (Standard)
Standard	$25 (Economy)	$25 (Standard)	--
Mid-Tier	$35 (Regular)	$50 (Priority)	$50 (Express)
Express / Premium	$75 (Express)	$75-$100	$100 (Premium)
Turnaround Range	5-65+ days	1-50+ days	2-60 days

These prices are per card and do not include shipping costs, which can add $10 to $30+ depending on the size of your submission and the carrier you choose. For a deep dive into all pricing tiers, membership discounts, and bulk submission strategies, read our full Pokemon card grading cost breakdown.

For comparison, AI grading with CardGrading.app starts at free for your first card, making it an incredibly cost-effective way to pre-screen before investing in traditional grading.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get Pokemon cards graded?

Turnaround times depend on the company and service level you choose. PSA's Economy tier takes 45-65 business days, while their Express service runs 5-10 business days. CGC and BGS have similar ranges. If you need an instant answer, AI grading with CardGrading.app delivers a predicted grade in about 30 seconds.

How much does it cost to grade a Pokemon card?

Professional grading ranges from $15 to $100+ per card. PSA starts at $19 (Value tier), CGC starts at $15 (Economy), and BGS starts at $20 (Standard). These prices do not include shipping. AI grading alternatives start free -- CardGrading.app offers 1 free credit to get started.

Is PSA or CGC better for grading Pokemon cards?

PSA is the most widely recognized brand in the Pokemon market, and PSA-graded cards generally sell for a premium over CGC-graded equivalents. However, CGC offers lower prices, faster turnaround at some service levels, and the inclusion of sub-grades on every label. For most collectors, PSA is the stronger choice for resale value, but CGC is an excellent option if you want to grade on a budget. Read our full grading company comparison for more details.

Can I grade Pokemon cards without sending them away?

Yes. AI-powered tools like CardGrading.app let you take a photo of your card and receive a predicted PSA grade instantly. While this is not a replacement for an official graded slab, it is perfect for pre-screening your collection to identify which cards are worth submitting to PSA, CGC, or BGS.

What Pokemon cards are worth grading?

As a general rule, a card should be worth at least $50 ungraded before you consider paying for professional grading. The best candidates are vintage cards (Base Set, Jungle, Fossil), first edition printouts, full-art and alternate-art cards, and chase rares from modern sets. The card should also appear to be in excellent condition -- ideally near-mint or better -- since a low grade rarely adds enough value to justify the grading fee.