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If you have any questions that have not been answered here, please feel free to e-mail us at [email protected] or contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 325-1121, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
Q: What types of cards and tickets does PSA authenticate/grade?
A: PSA will grade most items that are cataloged in major publications including, but not limited to, the PSA Price Guide and the Standard Catalog by Krause.
PSA also grades major sporting event tickets such as those from the MLB regular season, All-Star games, Playoffs, World Series, NFL regular season, Super Bowl, NBA regular season, NCAA Finals, etc. Since entertainment tickets are serviced on a case-by-case basis, please fill out a ‘Research Request’ in the Customer Request Center to see if your ticket is eligible.
PSA will begin authenticating and grading tickets from Ticketmaster, TicketTron, Tickets.com and other select 3rd party ticket providers for sporting events. Special designations may be added to labels to distinguish 3rd party ticket providers. PSA will not be processing any print-at-home tickets.
Due to the printing process and type of paper stock used on some tickets, fading of the ink may occur, which could affect the grade if re-submitted under one of our review or reholder services. As a reminder, tickets are not covered by the PSA Financial Guarantee of Grade & Authenticity, nor is PSA responsible for any type of fading that may occur once a ticket is encapsulated in a PSA holder.
Q: How do I submit my cards, packs, tickets, pins, and/or coins?
A: If you are looking to submit multiple items, it is probably in your best interest to join the PSA Collector’s Club. As a Collector’s Club member, you would be able to take advantage of the Collectors Club Value Pricing and/or Quarterly Grading Specials that PSA offers exclusively to Collector’s Club members. You can view more information on joining the Collector’s Club here.
If you are only looking to submit a few items, you may submit as a non-member. You can find more information on the PSA Grading Services here.
Once you are ready to submit, you will need to fill out a submission form via the Online Submission Center. Once completed and printed, you must mail the submission form, along with your item(s) and method of payment, to PSA. To determine the appropriate shipping address, please refer to “Step 4” of the Submission Center.
Autographed cards dated pre-1998 and/or those not certified directly by the manufacturer must be submitted through the Card and Autograph Dual Service. With this service, PSA will authenticate both the card and autograph. You also have the option to grade the condition of the card and/or autograph with this service. You can find more information on this service here.
Autographed cards that are certified through the manufacturer and dated 1998-present can be submitted at any regular service level, Collectors Club Value pricing or Quarterly Grading Specials that it qualifies under. However, please note that under these services, only the card will be evaluated.
Q: What if I want both the autograph and card/ticket authenticated and graded?
A: By selecting the Card and Autograph Dual Service, both the quality of the card/ticket and autograph will be notated on the label with individual numerical grades on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being best. This service is available for most licensed autographed cards, regardless of the era, whether the card came direct from a manufacturer or was signed afterwards. As part of the service, each signature will be certified by our autograph authenticators prior to assigning the numerical grade, so you get the best of both worlds from the world’s leading brand.
Q: How much do I pay, and what is a Declared Value?
A: Once you are prepared to fill out a submission form, you will need to select a Service Level, which is determined by your Declared Value. The Declared Value is your estimate of the value of the item after it has been assigned a grade by PSA. We understand you will not know the true value of the item until it has been graded, so we ask that you form a realistic, educated estimate based on your own research, keeping in mind that the Declared Value acts as a maximum value for shipping insurance purposes and in the event of a claim related to the item.
To determine your value, we recommend you start by referencing PSA’s Photograde Online to obtain a general, visual illustration of each card grade; this may help you gauge the quality of your card. Based on this assessment, we then advise you to reference various pricing sources to determine the estimated value of your item. We also recommend you refer to a wide variety of trade publications, auction prices realized and/or even contact a dealer in your area (Dealer Directory) for additional assistance.
It is important that you spend the time, utilize the available resources, and take the necessary steps to accurately estimate the Declared Value. The Declared Value you provide establishes:
Once you arrive at a Declared Value, please refer to the submission form or Pricing for PSA Services to determine the Service Level for which your item is eligible, based on your Declared Value. The price listed will be what you will pay per item.
Note that if you desire a faster turnaround time on your order, you may select a Service Level above the Declared Value for your item.
Q: What happens if my Declared Value is understated?
A: If PSA determines, in its sole discretion and at any point in the process, that the submitted Declared Value has been understated relative to the market value of the item, PSA reserves the right to decline your stated Declared Value. If PSA declines the Declared Value of an item, PSA may require you to pay for the accurate Service Level as a condition of PSA completing the authentication and grading process as to the subject item. If you refuse, or are unable, to pay PSA for the accurate Service Level, then PSA will return the item to you unprocessed at your cost, and you will be charged for the Service Level at which you submitted the item. PSA’s determination that you have understated the Declared Value will affect only the Service Level charge, it will not change the Declared Value for purposes of establishing the maximum item value for claim or shipping insurance purposes.
Q: How can I update or change my address on a current PSA order?
A: If you need to update or change your address on any current orders, please call Customer Service at 1-800-325-1121 or email [email protected]. Please have your order number(s) and new address ready before you call or provide it in your email. Changing your address in your account does not affect orders currently in the grading process. Once your order is completed, we cannot update or change your address.
Q: What is SecureScan and what service levels are eligible for this free service?
A: To provide better security for its growing customer base, PSA added a cost-free “SecureScan” service in 2019. The imaging feature involves taking front and back scans of PSA-encapsulated items with high-resolution scanners and making those images available on the PSA website. At present, the free benefit is available to all customers across each of the following service levels: Economy, Regular, Express, Super Express, Walk-Through, and all Premium.
Currently, PSA is imaging cards, tickets, and packs only, and uploading them to its online Certification Verification site (www.PSAcard.com/cert). This is extremely useful for collectors looking to verify the details of an item, including its cert number, before making a purchase. SecureScan provides collectors with high-quality images to use on the PSA Set Registry as well as for their records including insurance purposes. Customers need to download the images directly from the Cert Verification page. PSA is not accepting any images from customers for uploading to the Cert Verification page; the item must be in-house and imaged by PSA to be uploaded.
Q: Where and how can I submit my collectibles?
A: Once you are ready to submit your items, you must fill out a submission form via the Online Submission Center. Once completed, you will mail in the item(s) with your form(s) directly to PSA. To determine the appropriate shipping address, please refer to “Step 4” of the Submission Center. Keep in mind that if you are a Collector's Club member, you will have access to our Collectors Club Value Pricing (listed under our Pricing Schedule for PSA Services) and Quarterly Grading Specials (listed on our Collector Club Specials page). If you are not a member, you can read more about joining the Collector’s Club here.
You also have the option of submitting your items to us at a trade show, where we will have a booth set up to accept submissions. The Show Schedule, which is always available online, is regularly updated and also lists the services we will be performing at each event.
If you would like to drop off your items at one of our offices, this can be arranged. However, please know that we only accept submissions at our Woodbridge, NJ, office by appointment only and on a limited, case-by-case basis for high-value items and high-volume submissions at our Southern California location. If you would like to set up an appointment, please visit https://www.psacard.com/newjerseyoffice or call Customer Service at (800) 325-1121 for further assistance.
Please be advised that if your item fails to pass our process, you will still be responsible for the charges. Additionally, prior to submitting items to PSA for encapsulation, we recommend you check here for the most up-to-date list of items that PSA grades and our available holder sizes.
Q: Can I submit all of my items together, or would they need to be submitted separately?
A: Each Service Level, Holder Size and Type of Submission will need to be submitted separately, with their own submission form and charges. However, you may ship all of these submissions to us in the same box, bearing in mind that they will have to be shipped back separately. Please make sure you go back to your Online Submission Center Dashboard to generate a Multi-Submission ID packing Label.
For more information on how to ship your items, please refer to the Packing Guidelines page on our website. Be advised that if the item is not easily retrievable through the packaging, is poorly packed and/or is damaged in transit, your package may be refused.
Q: How do I know if you will authenticate/grade my cards, tickets, packs, pins, and/or coins?
A: If you are uncertain about whether or not PSA can authenticate and/or grade your cards, tickets, packs, pins, and/or coins, you can do one of the following:
Note: Although we may have authenticated and/or graded an item in the past or may have previously stated that we could create specifications for the type of item you are submitting, we will not know for certain whether the item can be authenticated until it is physically in our possession.
Q: What if my item is returned and I believe it is mislabeled?
A: PSA will correct any mislabeled item(s) free of charge. If you believe your item is mislabeled, please submit a Label Correction Request via the Customer Request Center. You can do so by logging into your account and clicking on Customer Request Center. You will need to provide front and back photos of your item. This will be sent directly to the research team and they will verify whether the item is mislabeled. If they confirm, they will provide instructions on how to send the item back for correction at no cost.
As part of these instructions, we will email you a pre-paid FedEx shipping label to spare you the additional cost of mailing your item(s) back, but please note that you may only include the mislabeled item(s) in this package. The label will expire within 30 days of issuance. If it is determined that the item(s) have no errors, then you will be responsible for the full return shipping fee.
If your order is still in process with PSA, you will receive an email to “Review Your Order” once it finishes Research and ID. This will allow you to report any errors for correction before the order is completed.
Q: Do you guarantee the grades for my cards?
A: PSA guarantees that all cards submitted to it shall be graded in accordance with PSA grading standards and under the procedures of PSA. If PSA, in fact, concludes that the card in question no longer merits the PSA grade assigned or fails PSA’s authenticity standards, PSA will either: 1) Buy the card from the submitter at the current market value if the card can no longer receive a numerical grade under PSA's standards, or 2) Refund the difference in value between the original PSA grade and the current PSA grade if the grade is lowered. In this case, the card will also be returned to the customer along with the refund for the difference in value.
Restrictions apply. Read the full PSA Financial Guarantee of Grade & Authenticity for complete details.
Q: In regards to the holder, what does "tamper-evident" mean?
A: Tamper-evident means that if someone does attempt to violate the holder, it will leave some evidence that the holder has been compromised. There are different ways that the holder will show evidence of such tampering. Since 1991, PSA has utilized a tamper-evident holder to encapsulate collectibles such as trading cards, tickets, autographs, etc. Click here for additional information about the PSA Holder.
Q: What is the PSA Dealer Program?
A: The PSA Dealer Program is designed for PSA customers who desire to be licensed to either (i) use the PSA trade and service marks, (ii) advertise with PSA, (iii) act as PSA’s representative in accepting cards from the public for grading by PSA, (iv) collect the grading fees charged by PSA and/or (v) participate in PSA’s Preferred Pricing Program.
Q: How do I join the PSA Dealer Program?
A: Customers interested in joining the PSA Dealer Program are required to fill out an application, which includes a formal background check, as the first step in the consideration process. To determine eligibility, PSA will weigh heavily the applicant’s ability to meet our basic prerequisites and the results of the background check. Providing specific details related to past submissions, advertisements, sales of PSA products, and support of PSA services in general will assist us when reviewing the application. If you would like to apply for the Program, please visit the PSA Sales page and fill out the “Contact Sales” form.
Note: Any entity or individual who 1) has, or has key employees who have, been convicted of a felony in the last five years, 2) has spent less than $25,000 per year, or 3) otherwise fails to meet PSA standards for honesty, integrity, financial responsibility and general reputation is disqualified from further consideration for the PSA Dealer Program.
Q: What if I disagree with PSA’s opinion/grade?
A: It can be frustrating when there is a difference in opinion regarding the condition of your item. However, it is important to note that we have a minimum of two or more, professional graders review your item and they must agree upon a grade. Although their opinion may differ from your personal perception of the item in question, please know that differences of opinion can occur when determining the quality of any item. Nevertheless, PSA is here to provide a third-party, unbiased opinion to ensure that our customers (whether a buyer, seller or collector) receive the most accurate estimation of the item. Please read through the PSA Grading Standards available online to gain insight as to why our graders may have provided the result listed on the item.
If you still disagree with the results, you may resubmit it for Review; however, this is a paid-for service, and you will be responsible for the full grading fee and shipping charges.
PSA can review any card(s) that you feel warrants a different grade. To utilize our Review service, please fill out a submission form via the Online Submission Center and select “Review” as the Submission Type. Then select the appropriate Service Level.
Q: What are “Qualifiers” and “No Grades”?
A: A “Qualifier” is a term used when an item meets all of the criteria for a particular grade but may still have one significant flaw. There are six PSA Qualifiers, two of which are required, and four that are optional.
Required Qualifiers
MK (Marks)
Any and all cards with writing, ink marks, pencil marks, etc. or evidence of the impression left from the act of writing will be designated "MK"
MC (Miscut)
Any and all cards that exhibit an atypical cut for the issue, which may result in portions of the subject card being cut off or more than one card being visible, will be designated "MC"
Optional Qualifiers
OC (Off Center)
Cards that are off center will either by designated “OC” or will have a numerical grade that reflects the minimum centering allowed for the grade
ST (Staining)
Cards with staining will either by designated “ST” or will have a numerical grade that reflects the minimum staining allowed for the grade
PD (Print Defect)
Cards with printing defects will either be designated "PD” or will have a numerical grade that reflects the minimum print defects allowed for the grade
OF (Out of Focus)
Cards that are out of focus or out of register with either be designated "OF” or will have a numerical grade that reflects the minimum focus standards allowed for the grade
The “No Grade” term is used when an item cannot be graded by PSA for a variety of reasons. For example, PSA will not grade items that bear evidence of trimming (N1), restoration (N2), recoloration (N3), questionable authenticity (N4), altered stock (N5) or cleaning (N7). In the event that PSA rejects an item for any of these reasons, it will be returned not encapsulated, however the full grading price is still charged, as the determination to reject a card requires review by PSA's authenticators and graders. PSA will also not grade items that do not meet the minimum size requirement (N6), were miscut by the manufacturer (N8), or items we do not grade due to being an obscure issue or not fitting in our holders (N9). Items that receive N6, N8 or N9 results will not be charged grading.
For more information, please review the PSA Grading Standards available online.
Q: What happened to minimum grade?
A: As part of PSA’s continuous efforts to improve the PSA backlog, the minimum grade option has been suspended for all card, dual, ticket and pack authentication and grading services. We will make an announcement when the minimum grade option returns.
Q: How do I submit my Autographs for authentication?
A: You may submit autographed items to PSA/DNA at any trade show where we will be providing on-site authentication (our Show Schedule can be found online) or by shipping your items directly to our office.
If you are looking to mail the item(s) directly to us, you must fill out the appropriate PSA/DNA submission form(s) first. Forms are available via the Submission Center in PDF format or you may call/email Customer Service to have hard copies of the appropriate form(s) mailed to you. Our authentication prices are based on who signed the items and can be found on the PSA/DNA Pricing Schedule online.
Once you have completely filled out the submission form, you are now ready to mail it to us along with your item(s) and method of payment. Our shipping address can be found on the top-left corner of the form.
If you would like to drop off your items at one of our offices, this can be arranged. However, please know that we only accept submissions at our Woodbridge, NJ, office by appointment only and on a limited, case-by-case basis for high-value items and high-volume submissions at our Southern California location. If you would like to set up an appointment, please visit https://www.psacard.com/newjerseyoffice or call Customer Service at (800) 325-1121 for further assistance.
Q: How much do I pay?
A: The PSA/DNA authentication fees are based on the signer of the item or, if multi-signed, the most premier on the item and total number of signatures. (Please note that the “Premier Autograph” is the signer that has the highest authentication price.)
If the item is single-signed, search the last name of the signer under section #1 of the online PSA/DNA Pricing Schedule. This will provide a list of signers with that last name and you should be able to find your signer on the list with the authentication price noted next to it.
If the item is multi-signed, you first will need to determine who the Premier signer is on your item. Once the Premier Autograph has been determined, please enter the last name of that signer and the total number of signatures under section #2 of the online PSA/DNA Pricing Schedule. This will provide the combined Authentication price for your multi-signed item.
If you are submitting at least 50 multi- or single-signed items, please email a list of item type and signers to [email protected] to inquire about a bulk discount.
Q: What is a Declared Value?
A: When submitting these items, you will also be required to enter a Declared Value. We understand you will not know the True Value of the item until it is authenticated, so we ask that you form a realistic, educated guess based on your own research, keeping in mind the Declared Value is also used for insurance purposes.
Also, please note that any item with a declared value of $1,000 or more is subject to a Premium Item charge in addition to the authentication price; this is so we may properly insure the item for you. To calculate the Premium Item charge, please refer to the chart on the back of the PSA/DNA submission form or visit the online PSA/DNA Pricing Schedule.
To determine your values, you may use the PSA Price Guide, which is a comprehensive price guide for PSA and PSA/DNA-certified collectibles. You may also refer to other trade publications, auction prices realized and/or even contact a PSA Dealer for additional assistance.
Q: How do I know if you will authenticate/grade my signed items?
A: If you are uncertain about whether or not PSA/DNA can authenticate and/or grade your signed item(s), we recommend you check the list of signatures we have previously authenticated online under section #1 of the PSA/DNA Pricing Schedule. You may search this list by entering the last name of a signer in the indicated space or by selecting a specific category to search in.
If you are unable to find the name of your signer here, please email us the name of the signer and a link to their bio at [email protected]. A Customer Service representative will then inquire with the PSA/DNA staff to determine whether we can/cannot authenticate a particular autograph and you will be duly notified.
Q: How do you document my item once it is certified as authentic?
A: As part of our Autograph Authentication service, you will have the option of having the item encapsulated in one of our tamper-evident holders (holder sizes permitting) or certified with documentation. With that said, please make sure you are completing the appropriate form as there is one form for items you wish to be encapsulated (“Autograph Encapsulation Submission”) and one for items that do not require encapsulation (“Autograph Submission”). Please refer to the top-right corner of the form for the submission type.
When an item is certified with documentation (not encapsulation), we will apply our invisible, synthetic, DNA-laced ink to the item, in conjunction with our tamper-evident label and matching Certificate of Authenticity (COA) or Letter of Authenticity (LOA). This PSA/DNA security matrix will identify your collectible as certified.
We also use a tamper-evident label that can be applied to an object only once and cannot be reapplied to any other object. The label can be removed but will tear apart upon removal, leaving behind fragments of the label. If the label has been removed accidentally or intentionally, PSA/DNA can re-issue a label and COA at a discounted rate once we are able to verify the DNA daub on your item.
If you do not want the tamper-evident label on your item(s), you can request that the label be placed on the Letter of Authenticity (LOA). Be aware that items with an Authentication price lower than $50.00 will require the label on the item unless you upgrade the COA to an LOA and check the appropriate box on the submission form. An LOA upgrade of this fashion will also require an additional $10 charge.
Q: If I take an encapsulated item out of the tamper-evident PSA/DNA holder, is it still considered authentic?
A: By choosing the Autograph Encapsulation service, the certificate/letter of authenticity, PSA/DNA tamper-evident label, and DNA daub are forfeited. Therefore, once the item is removed from the holder, or the holder shows signs of tampering, there is no way of validating that the item had been previously authenticated by PSA/DNA, so the certification of the item becomes null and void.
Q: Whose DNA is used to mark the autographed items?
A: The DNA that is used to tag the item is synthetically engineered without human cells. It is chemically synthesized specifically for PSA/DNA by DNA Technologies, Inc. The same process was used as the official security mark for tickets and passes at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
Q: How can I protect myself against counterfeit autographs and bogus certification?
A: To start, it is next to impossible to replicate the DNA that our company uses to tag each item it certifies as authentic. PSA/DNA has contracted DNA Technologies, Inc. to create a DNA trace liquid with a code that is known only to PSA and DNA Technologies. The chances are 1 in 33 trillion that someone would be able to randomly recreate the exact sequence of the DNA strand that is used for the PSA/DNA tag.
The most obvious way to tell if an item has been certified is to look at the tamper-evident PSA/DNA label. It is a half-inch, oval sticker displaying a unique, six-digit, alphanumeric certification number that is used to identify the certified item in our database. This tamper-evident label can be applied to an object only once and cannot be reapplied to any other object. The label can be removed but will tear apart upon removal, leaving behind fragments of the label.
In addition to the label, all PSA/DNA-certified items come with either a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) or a Letter of Authenticity (LOA) stating that PSA/DNA authenticators have examined and deemed genuine the autograph. The COA or LOA also features the six-digit, alphanumeric certification number that matches the tamper-evident label, plus they both include a detailed, color-changing PSA/DNA embedded hologram logo for added security.
LOAs, in particular, also feature a high-resolution image of the exact item that was examined and authenticated by our staff. In this case, you have the image PSA/DNA took in-house to compare to the item in question. Furthermore, the images featured on the LOAs are also displayed on our website and are viewable when you search the certification number under the Cert Verification page.
As a final step, the item can be sent directly to PSA/DNA so we can verify, with one of our specially-calibrated infrared lasers, the presence of the invisible PSA/DNA ink that is applied to all certified items.
Aside from the above, we also recommend that you read PSA Security: A Buyer’s Guide and our Ten Tips for Building a Collection. Prior to purchasing any collectible, big or small, it is critical that you first educate yourself as a consumer. These two sources will provide a wealth of information, but if nothing more, always keep in mind that you should buy from a reputable seller and buy items that have been authenticated/graded by an established third-party service such as PSA and PSA/DNA.
Q: How can I determine if a Letter of Authenticity is legitimate?
A: Letters of Authenticity (LOAs) produced by PSA/DNA have a detailed, color-changing hologram logo embedded into the paper, as well as double watermarks depicting the helix design of a DNA strand and the PSA/DNA logo. Additionally, all LOAs have a high-resolution image of the very item that was examined and authenticated by our staff, which matches the photo on our online database, and a handwritten signature from a PSA/DNA representative. Counterfeiters would have to illegally replicate the hologram technology used and spend a huge amount of money to manufacture the paper. These unique security features make it very difficult to counterfeit.
The PSA/DNA tamper-evident labels and Certificates/Letters of Authenticity have undergone gradual design changes over the years as we’re always looking for ways to make improvements to our products to combat forgeries and counterfeiting. Whether it’s changing the shape of the label from square to oval to better adhere to rounded items, or adding additional watermarks and an embedded hologram to the LOA, you can count on PSA/DNA to provide you with the most state-of-the-art technology to protect your certified items.
If you would like to upgrade your item to the new hologram LOA, please email your request to [email protected] or call Customer Service at (800) 325-1121 for further instruction.
Q: I have a team ball where the majority of names are on your autograph list. If not all of the autographs are on your list, will you still certify my baseball?
A: Yes. In most cases our team of authenticators will be able to authenticate all the autographs of a team ball even if less common autographs are present.
Q: I sent my baseball in for the Autograph Authentication and Baseball Grading service, but my baseball came back without a grade. Why wasn’t my baseball graded?
A: Under the Autograph Authentication and Baseball Grading service, PSA/DNA takes into account both the condition of the autograph and the condition of the baseball when determining the grade. Therefore, neither the autograph nor the baseball can bear evidence of restoration and/or enhancement. In the event it is determined that either the signature has been traced over (by someone other than the signer) or the baseball shows evidence of restoration (such as signature removals, painting, re-stitching, etc.), a grade will not be issued by PSA/DNA.
Q: Can I submit my signed baseball under the Autograph Grading service?
A: Yes. PSA/DNA gives collectors the option to submit their signed baseballs under the general Autograph Grading service in order to place the emphasis on that which they value most: the autograph itself. However, if the condition of the baseball is of consequence, collectors are also able to submit under the full, Autographed Baseball Grading service, which not only assigns individual grades to the autograph and baseball, but provides an overall grade for the item as a whole.
Q: What is the difference between the Autographed Baseball Grading and Autograph Grading services?
A: Under the general Autograph Grading service, the autograph itself is the only element of a signed item that receives a grade, whereas under the Autographed Baseball Grading service, both the autograph and the baseball are assigned grades. Keep in mind that the service you selected will determine which category in the Set Registry your item will qualify for. To learn more, please visit the Autograph Grading Guide.
Q: Where and how can I submit my collectibles?
A: Once you are ready to submit your items, you will complete the appropriate submission form(s); forms can be obtained through the Online Submission Center or by calling/emailing Customer Service to have hard copies mailed to you. Once completed, you must mail in the submission form(s) along with your item(s) and method of payment to the address listed in the top-left corner of the form.
You also have the option of submitting your items to us at a trade show, where we will have a booth set up to accept submissions. The Show Schedule, which is always available online, is regularly updated and also lists the services we will be performing at each event.
If you would like to drop off your items at one of our offices, this can be arranged. However, please know that we only accept submissions at our Woodbridge, NJ, office by appointment only and on a limited, case-by-case basis for high-value items and high-volume submissions at our Southern California location. If you would like to set up an appointment, please call Customer Service at (800) 325-1121 for further assistance.
Please be advised that if your item fails to pass our process, you will still be responsible for the fees. Additionally, prior to submitting items to PSA/DNA under the Autograph Encapsulation service, we recommend you check here for the most up-to-date list of available holder sizes.
Q: Can I submit all of my items together or would they need to be submitted separately?
A: Each Type of Submission will need to be submitted separately, with their own paid return shipping. However, you may ship all of these submissions to us in the same box, bearing in mind that they will have to be shipped back separately.
For example, you can include all of the items eligible for the Autograph Authentication service and Autograph Encapsulation service in the same package. However, they will need to be written up on their own separate submission forms and must be shipped back separately as well.
Q: What if I don’t know the Declared Value of my item or I am wrong?
A: Since PSA is a third-party authentication and grading company, we do not value or appraise items. Therefore, we ask that you form a realistic, educated guess based on your own research, keeping in mind that the Declared Value is also used for insurance purposes. To determine your values, you may use the PSA Price Guide, which is a comprehensive price guide for PSA and PSA/DNA-certified collectibles. You may also refer to other trade publications, auction prices realized and/or even contact a PSA Dealer for additional assistance.
If the item is found to be worth significantly more than your Declared Value based on the evaluation we provide, we will contact you to pay the difference in service level pricing/premium item and shipping charges, which are adjusted to properly insure and handle your item(s).
Q: What is the turnaround time for my submission, and what if doesn’t complete within this timeframe?
A: Please remember that the estimated turnaround time is not guaranteed, and it does depend on the Service selected. For PSA services, you can view the current processing times on the Pricing page. These estimates will reflect the average processing time for orders recently completed. Please log into your account page on PSAcard.com to view your order status. Email updates will also be sent, when the order is entered for processing, when label descriptions are ready for review, when grades are available and finally, when the order has shipped. For DNA services, please see the submission form for the estimated turnaround time, as each service may differ. Once the order is entered for processing, the estimated turnaround time will begin. Your account page at PSAcard.com will be updated with the outcome of the authentication and grading (if applicable). Since the turnaround time is estimated in business days, please allow a grace period of 3-7 business days before contacting Customer Service regarding a late order.
Q: How should I package my items for mail-in submissions? What are the shipping costs?
A: You will be responsible for shipping both ways. You can calculate the return shipping cost by using the chart listed on the back of the submission form or by checking the appropriate chart on the Return Postage page online. If you have your own FedEx or USPS account, you may enter your account information on the submission form to charge your account directly.
For detailed information on how to package and ship your items, please refer to the Packing Guidelines page on our website. Otherwise, please make sure to package the items in a manner that will not risk damage to the item in transit or upon removal. Be advised that if the item is not easily retrievable through the packaging, is poorly packed and/or is damaged in transit, your package may be refused.
Q: What if I am an international customer?
A: If you have an international submission, please be advised you will be subject to international shipping rates and extended shipping timeframes. International shipping rates can be calculated by referencing the chart on the back of the submission form. Please contact Customer Service at (800) 325-1121 if you have any questions.
To use FedEx for the return shipment of your submissions, you must have your own account and third-party insurance, with the understanding you are liable for any loss or damage to the package. On the submission form, please enter your FedEx account number, insurance value limit and delivery option under the appropriate section.
You are also responsible for paying any duty or tax fees on your incoming or outgoing shipments. On the airway bills and commercial invoices, please mark “Bill Sender” on all. When using your own FedEx account, you are releasing PSA from all liabilities due to loss or damage to the package.
We only use US Postal Service or FedEx. We do not use the following couriers on incoming or outgoing shipments: UPS, DHL or any other.
To ship internationally, please use one of the following addresses depending on your method:
Q: How will my order ship back to me?
A: For domestic shipments, PSA uses multiple carriers and determines the best service based on various factors when shipping your order back to you. These carriers currently include:
Please note that the carriers PSA uses may change in the future. All packages are shipped using PSA’s insurance and require signature confirmation for delivery.
If you would like to guarantee that your order ships via a certain carrier, please create a shipping account with that carrier (FedEx or USPS Express Mail) and provide PSA with the account number and shipping information for that account.Outside of specifying a carrier account number that bills directly to you, due to the high volume of PSA Shipping, we are unable to accommodate special requests for specific shipping carriers or methods.Please also note that once an order is shipped, PSA is unable to reroute and/or redirect the address or intended recipient of that package.
Q: What are Complete Through Dates?
A: Complete Through Dates (CTDs) present factual data on order completion progress for every PSA service level. A service level’s Complete Through Date is the day before the date of the oldest open order in the PSA system for that particular service level. The CTD is based on order entry date, which means the day the order was formally entered into the PSA system for authentication and grading.
Q: How do I use Complete Through Dates to check my order’s progress?
A: Use CTDs to check the progress on your order by comparing the “Entered” date on your My Orders page to the service level’s Complete Through Date to get an idea as to the remaining time before your order will be completed. Posted CTDs update daily and you can follow along as the CTD advances closer to your order’s Entered date.
Q: I sent in my order before the posted Complete Through Date. Why isn’t it done?
A: CTDs are referring to the date orders are entered into the PSA system. Due to the backlog in order entry, there are delays between a package arriving at PSA and an order being entered into our system. These delays are getting shorter as we catch-up on the order entry backlog. If your order has an ‘Entered’ date earlier than the CTD for that service level, please read the next FAQ on the exceptions to the CTDs.
Q: What are the exceptions to the CTDs?
A: Orders that require special handling, have payment or shipping issues may be exceptions to the published CTDs. In nearly all cases, the customer is aware of the reasons why the order hasn’t been completed yet. If you are waiting for an order that is an exception to the current CTD and you don’t know why, please contact PSA customer service at (800) 325-1121.
Q: Why is the CTD on ‘20-day orders’ more than 20 days ago?
A: ‘20 day orders’, in hindsight, is a misnomer and we are no longer using estimated turn around time to define our service levels. Our industry has traditionally referred to expected turnaround times this way, but in reality, the time it takes to process orders is largely a function of the demand for our service. During peaks in demand we have more orders to process. And PSA has very little influence over the volume of submissions we receive. PSA is increasing our grading capacity every week. But if the increases in demand exceed the increase in capacity, the backlog gets larger and orders take longer.
Q: Is PSA using FIFO? What are the details of PSA’s FIFO process?
A: PSA is committed to adhering to FIFO (First-in, First-Out) operating standards for each of our service levels. Significant progress has been made and will continue to be made. Our commitment to publishing Complete Through Dates is an illustration of our commitment to FIFO.
Q: Is PSA publishing CTDs for packs and tickets too?
A: Initially, we are introducing CTDs only for trading cards orders. We plan to expand the feature to include packs and tickets, but it’s not available yet.
Q: Can I purchase a PSA Collectors Club membership?
A: Yes, the PSA Collectors Club membership is now available for purchase. Visit PSAcard.com/join for more information.
Q: What is the Collectors Club, and do I have to sign up in order to submit?
A: The Collector’s Club is an exclusive membership with PSA, which consists of three possible levels: Silver, Gold and Platinum. After you’ve paid the annual fee for one of our memberships, you will have access to the Collectors Club Value Pricing (listed under our Pricing Schedule for PSA Services) and Quarterly Grading Specials (listed on our Collector Club Specials page). When you sign up for Gold or Platinum, you will also receive a number of complimentary Economy grading vouchers.
You are not required to join the Collectors Club in order to submit your items. You can read more about joining on the PSA Collectors Club page.
Q: How do I submit my complimentary Economy grading vouchers after I sign up?
A: After you sign up for the PSA Collectors Club membership (Gold and Platinum only), we will email your complimentary voucher number immediately. If you do not have an email, please call Customer Service at (800) 325-1121 so we can process your membership. You will receive your complimentary grading voucher within 7-10 business days (domestic) or 10-15 business days (international), which will need to be included when sending in your submission. If you sign up online and receive an email confirmation with your vouchers, please do not forget to input your voucher number on the submission form.
The complementary gradings (voucher number) will expire one year from the date of the membership purchase. When completing the submission form (via PDF or hard copy), please select “Other” as the Type of Service, write “Free CC” and your voucher number on the available space, and apply “$0” under the grading price calculations. Please be advised you will still be responsible for the shipping (to and from) as well.
When completing your submission form via the Online Submission Center, make sure to check the “I have a Collectors Club Voucher” box located in Step 2 under the Submission Type section. You must also indicate your voucher type (i.e., a 6-item or 15-item voucher depending on your membership status). The online form will then lead you through the entire process step-by-step so you may then just print and mail your form in along with your cards and method of payment (for the shipping).
Q: Do all of my complimentary grading vouchers need to be submitted at the same time or separately?
A: We recommend that you submit all of your complimentary grading vouchers at the same time to get the most value out of them; however, you may submit them separately throughout the year of your current membership. Please keep in mind that any vouchers not used within that year will be forfeited. Lastly, please be advised that you will still be responsible for the shipping charges (to and from) on each submission.
Q: May I submit other cards with my complimentary grading vouchers?
A: You may submit your complimentary grading vouchers along with any other cards provided they fall under the same Type of Submission and Service Level. For example, since the grading vouchers are good for the Economy service with a maximum declared value of $499, you may combine your grading vouchers with any Economy order you plan to submit. However, note that if you were to submit these vouchers with a Collectors Club Value Pricing submission (which are typically good for items with a maximum declared value of $99), the grading vouchers will need to meet these same basic requirements. In other words, if you submit these vouchers under a Collectors Club Value Pricing service level, the maximum declared value must be $99 instead of $499. With that said, you may receive the most value out of these vouchers by submitting them separately.
Q: Where can I find more information about Economy Submission Events?
A: Please visit: https://www.psacard.com/queue/FAQ
