How Much Does It Cost to Grade Pokemon Cards in 2025?

Whether you're sitting on a vintage Charizard or a modern alt art from recent sets, understanding Pokemon card grading costs is crucial before sending your cards off for authentication. With grading prices ranging from $9 to over $600 per card depending on the service and tier, making the wrong choice can significantly impact your return on investment.

In 2025, the grading landscape has evolved considerably. PSA updated their turnaround times in November, CGC implemented new fee structures in May, and SGC continues to offer the fastest service in the industry. This comprehensive guide breaks down every cost you'll encounter when grading Pokemon cards, helping you choose the right service for your collection.

Understanding Pokemon Card Grading Costs

The cost to grade Pokemon cards extends beyond just the grading fee. When budgeting for grading submissions, you need to account for:

• Grading fees: The base cost charged by the grading company
• Shipping costs: Sending cards to the grading facility (often $15-50)
• Return shipping: Getting graded cards back safely (typically $20-75 with insurance)
• Insurance: Protecting valuable cards during transit
• Membership fees: Some services require annual memberships
• Card sleeves and protection: Proper submission materials ($10-30)

For a single card submission, these additional costs can add $50-150 to your total expense, making it essential to understand the complete financial picture before submitting.

PSA Grading Costs 2025

PSA remains the most recognized grading company in the Pokemon card market, commanding premium prices for graded cards. Here's their complete pricing structure:

PSA Service Tiers

Budget Options:

• TCG Bulk: $18.99/card (requires 20-card minimum + Collectors Club membership)
• Value Bulk: $21.99/card (requires 20-card minimum + membership)
• Value: $25/card (no minimum, most popular for individual submissions)

Premium Tiers:

• Value Plus: $40/card (for cards valued $500-$1,499)
• Value Max: $75/card (for cards valued $1,500-$2,499)
• Regular: $100/card (for cards valued $2,500-$4,999)
• Express: $200/card (20 business day turnaround)
• Super Express: $300/card (faster service)
• Walk-Through: $600/card (premium service for high-value cards)

PSA Membership Requirements

To access bulk pricing, you'll need a PSA Collectors Club membership at $149/year. This membership pays for itself if you're submitting 10+ cards annually at bulk rates versus Value tier pricing.

PSA Turnaround Times (Updated November 2025)

PSA recently updated how they measure turnaround times—now calculated from when cards arrive at their facility:

• Bulk/Value: 65 business days (increased from 45 days in April 2025)
• Value Plus: 45 business days
• Express: 20 business days
• Super Express and above: Expedited processing

GameStop Partnership

GameStop offers PSA submissions at discounted rates:

• $15.99-$19/card depending on service tier
• Convenient drop-off at retail locations
• Limited to specific service levels

CGC Grading Costs 2025

CGC has become increasingly popular among Pokemon collectors, offering competitive pricing and often faster turnaround times than PSA.

CGC Service Tiers (Updated May 2025)

• Bulk: $12/card (25-card minimum, max declared value $250)
• Economy: $15/card (max declared value $1,000)
• Standard: $40/card (max declared value $2,500)
• Express and Premium: Higher tiers available for valuable cards

CGC Membership Benefits

CGC offers two membership levels that provide significant discounts:

• Associate Membership: $39/year = 10% off all grading fees
• Elite Membership: $329/year = 20% off all grading fees

For collectors submitting 20+ cards annually, Elite membership can save hundreds of dollars. A 25-card bulk submission at $12/card ($300 total) becomes $240 with Elite membership—an immediate $60 savings.

CGC Turnaround Times

• Bulk: Typically 30-50 business days (often faster than quoted)
• Economy: 25-35 business days
• Standard: 15-20 business days

CGC has consistently delivered faster turnaround times than their estimates, making them attractive for collectors who want reasonably quick service without paying express fees.

BGS (Beckett) Grading Costs 2025

Beckett Grading Services is known for their subgrade system, which provides detailed scoring across four categories: Centering, Corners, Edges, and Surface.

BGS Pricing Structure

• Base Service (no subgrades): $14.95/card
• Standard (with subgrades): $34.95/card
• Express: $79.95/card
• Subgrade Addition: $3-5 extra if added to base service
• Autograph Grading: Additional $5

Why Choose BGS?

BGS subgrades are particularly valuable for:

• High-end vintage cards where condition details matter
• Cards approaching BGS 10 "Black Label" status (extremely rare)
• Collectors who want comprehensive condition information

BGS Turnaround Times

• Standard: 20-25 business days
• Express: 10-15 business days

SGC Grading Costs 2025

SGC has emerged as a budget-friendly option with the fastest turnaround times in the industry.

SGC Pricing

• TCG Cards: $9/card (special promotional pricing)
• Modern Sports Cards: $15/card
• No upcharges: SGC doesn't charge extra for modern cards (2001-present), regardless of value

SGC's Speed Advantage

SGC offers the fastest standard turnaround in the industry:

• Standard Service: 5-10 business days from receipt

This speed makes SGC ideal for:

• Flipping newly pulled cards while hype is high
• Quick authentication for sales
• Collectors who don't want to wait months for returns

SGC Market Acceptance

While SGC graded cards typically sell for less than PSA equivalents, the gap is narrowing. For modern cards and budget submissions, SGC offers excellent value.

TAG Grading: AI-Powered Alternative

TAG Grading uses artificial intelligence for consistent grading, offering a modern approach to card authentication.

TAG Pricing

• Bulk (20-card minimum): $12-15/card
• Turnaround: 30-45 days for bulk submissions

TAG's Value Proposition

TAG appeals to collectors who:

• Want consistent, technology-driven grading
• Are budget-conscious
• Grade modern cards where market acceptance is growing

Hidden Costs of Grading Pokemon Cards

Beyond the grading fee itself, factor these expenses into your budget:

Shipping and Insurance

Sending Cards:

• USPS First Class with tracking: $5-10
• USPS Priority with $100 insurance: $15-25
• USPS Priority with $1,000+ insurance: $30-50

Return Shipping:

• Standard return: $20-30
• Insured return (high-value cards): $50-150+

Submission Supplies

• Card savers: $10-15 per 50-count box
• Team bags: $5-10 per 100-count
• Bubble mailers: $10-20 per pack
• Submission forms and labels: Free to print

Membership Fees Annual Comparison

• PSA Collectors Club: $149/year
• CGC Associate: $39/year
• CGC Elite: $329/year
• SGC: No membership required
• TAG: No membership required

When Is Grading Worth the Cost?

Not every Pokemon card benefits from grading. Before submitting cards, consider using a Grading ROI Calculator to determine if the potential value increase justifies the cost.

Cards Worth Grading

Vintage Cards (1999-2003):

• Base Set holos in excellent condition
• First Edition cards
• Shadowless variants
• Popular cards like Charizard, Blastoise, Venusaur

Modern High-Value Cards:

• Alt art cards from recent sets (valued $100+)
• Rainbow rares and secret rares
• Character cards (Lillie, Marnie, etc.)
• Tournament-exclusive cards

Cards in Exceptional Condition:

• Pack-fresh pulls that appear flawless
• Cards with strong centering and no visible defects
• Cards likely to grade PSA 9 or 10

Cards NOT Worth Grading

• Common/uncommon cards with low market value
• Cards with visible damage or wear
• Cards valued under $50 in raw condition
• Off-center or poorly cut cards
• Cards with whitening, scratches, or dents

The Break-Even Calculation

For a card to be worth grading:

Total Grading Cost (grading fee + shipping + supplies) < Graded Value - Raw Value

Example: A raw card worth $100 that costs $50 to grade needs to sell for at least $150 graded to break even. If PSA 9 versions sell for $200, you have a $50 profit margin.

Cost Comparison: Which Service Offers Best Value?

Here's how the services compare for different submission scenarios:

Budget Submissions (Modern Cards Under $200)

Winner: SGC ($9/card)

• Fastest turnaround (5-10 days)
• No membership required
• No upcharges
• Best for quick flips

Runner-up: CGC Bulk ($12/card with 25-card minimum)

• Excellent value with membership discounts
• Growing market acceptance
• Reasonable turnaround times

Mid-Range Submissions ($200-$1,000 Cards)

Winner: CGC Economy ($15/card)

• Competitive pricing
• Strong market acceptance
• Reliable turnaround

Runner-up: PSA Value ($25/card)

• Best resale value
• Industry-leading reputation
• Longer wait times

High-Value Submissions ($1,000+ Cards)

Winner: PSA ($40-100/card depending on value)

• Highest resale premiums
• Best market liquidity
• Most trusted by serious collectors

Runner-up: BGS with Subgrades ($34.95/card)

• Detailed condition information
• Potential for BGS 10 premium
• Excellent for vintage cards

Money-Saving Tips for Grading Pokemon Cards

1. Maximize Bulk Submissions

Submit 20-25 cards at once to access bulk pricing. Even if you don't have that many cards ready, waiting to accumulate submissions saves significantly:

• PSA TCG Bulk: $18.99/card vs. $25/card individual
• CGC Bulk: $12/card vs. $15/card economy
• Savings of $150+ on a 25-card submission

2. Join Grading Groups

Many local card shops and online communities organize group submissions:

• Split shipping costs among multiple collectors
• Access bulk rates without submitting 20+ cards yourself
• Benefit from experienced submitters' knowledge

3. Time Your Submissions

Grading companies occasionally offer promotional pricing:

• Watch for special events and shows
• Submit during slower periods for faster service
• Take advantage of new service tier launches

4. Choose the Right Service Level

Don't pay for express service unless necessary:

• Standard turnaround is sufficient for long-term holds
• Express only makes sense for time-sensitive flips
• A 65-day wait saves $175/card (PSA Value vs. Express)

5. Pre-Grade Your Cards

Before submitting:

• Use a jeweler's loupe to inspect carefully
• Compare to graded examples online
• Only submit cards likely to grade 8+
• Avoid borderline cards that might grade poorly

6. Optimize Shipping

• Combine multiple submissions in one shipment
• Use USPS Flat Rate boxes for heavy submissions
• Insure appropriately—not too much, not too little
• Consider group shipping with other collectors

Special Considerations for Japanese Pokemon Cards

Japanese Pokemon cards have unique grading considerations:

Pricing Differences

Most services charge the same rates for Japanese cards, but market values differ:

• PSA 10 Japanese cards often command premiums over English equivalents
• CGC and BGS have strong Japanese card communities
• Consider where you plan to sell when choosing a grader

Language and Authentication

All major grading companies authenticate Japanese cards:

• PSA has extensive Japanese card expertise
• CGC offers competitive pricing for Japanese submissions
• Ensure proper declaration of language on submission forms

Future of Pokemon Card Grading Costs

Several trends are shaping grading costs in 2025 and beyond:

Increasing Competition

• New grading companies entering the market
• AI-powered grading reducing labor costs
• Price pressure on established companies

Technology Integration

• Digital certification and blockchain authentication
• Automated grading reducing turnaround times
• Enhanced fraud detection

Market Dynamics

• Growing Pokemon card market increasing submission volumes
• Service tier adjustments based on demand
• Potential for dynamic pricing models

Making Your Grading Decision

Choosing the right grading service depends on your specific goals:

Choose PSA if:

• You're grading high-value vintage cards
• Maximum resale value is your priority
• You can wait 65+ business days
• You have 20+ cards for bulk submission

Choose CGC if:

• You want competitive pricing with good resale value
• You're grading modern cards
• You prefer faster turnaround than PSA
• You submit regularly and can benefit from membership discounts

Choose BGS if:

• You want detailed subgrade information
• You're grading high-end vintage cards
• You're pursuing BGS 10 "Black Label" grades
• Detailed condition reporting matters to you

Choose SGC if:

• Speed is your top priority
• You're on a tight budget
• You're grading modern cards for quick resale
• You don't need maximum resale premiums

Choose TAG if:

• You want AI-powered consistency
• You're grading modern cards in bulk
• You're comfortable with a newer grading company
• Technology-driven grading appeals to you

Conclusion: Calculating Your True Grading Costs

The cost to grade Pokemon cards in 2025 ranges from as low as $9 per card with SGC to $600+ for premium PSA services. However, the grading fee is just one component of your total investment.

When budgeting for grading:

1. Calculate total costs including shipping, insurance, and supplies
2. Factor in membership fees if submitting regularly
3. Consider turnaround time value for your specific goals
4. Evaluate potential return on investment before submitting
5. Choose the service that aligns with your budget and objectives

For most collectors, the sweet spot is CGC bulk submissions at $12/card for modern cards, PSA Value at $25/card for higher-value cards with maximum resale potential, or SGC at $9/card when speed matters most.

Remember: grading should enhance your card's value, not diminish your returns. By understanding the complete cost structure and choosing wisely, you can maximize the value of your Pokemon card collection while minimizing unnecessary expenses.

Note: Grading prices and turnaround times are subject to change. Always verify current pricing on the grading company's official website before submitting cards.