How long does PSA grading take? Current Turnaround Times

PSA grading turnaround times currently range from 3 business days for Super Express service to approximately 65 business days for the standard Value tier.

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) turnaround times are determined by the service level selected and the associated fee paid per card. These times exclude shipping durations and begin once a submission is entered into the PSA system.

As of 2024, the primary service tiers and their estimated turnaround times are:

1. Value ($19–$25 per card): This is the most popular tier for cards valued under $500. Expected turnaround is 45 to 65 business days.
2. Value Plus ($40 per card): Designed for faster processing of lower-value items, typically returning in 20 to 30 business days.
3. Regular ($75 per card): Used for cards valued up to $1,499, with a turnaround of 10 to 15 business days.
4. Express ($150 per card): A high-priority tier for cards up to $2,499, offering a 5 business day window.
5. Super Express ($300+ per card): The fastest standard tier, ensuring a turnaround of just 3 business days.

Turnaround times are the product of the "Pop Report" (Population Report) demand and internal staffing. During peak hobby surges, such as the 2020-2021 boom, Value tiers saw delays exceeding a year; however, PSA's expansion into the New Jersey facility has stabilized these "Estimated Turnaround Times."

Collectors should note that PSA utilizes a "Business Day" metric, which excludes weekends and holidays. If a card is "up-charged"—meaning its graded value exceeds the tier's maximum limit—PSA may pause the order until the additional fee is paid, potentially extending the timeline. Real-world data from the PSA Submission Tracker indicates that high-value tiers (Express and above) are currently meeting their windows with 95% accuracy, while Value orders often ship slightly ahead of the 65-day estimate.

Related questions

When does the PSA clock start? Building the timeline.

PSA turnaround times officially begin when the order status changes to 'Arrived' or 'Research & ID' in the PSA dashboard, not when the package is delivered to the facility.

What happens if PSA up-charges a card?

If a card's market value after grading exceeds the tier limit (e.g., a $499 limit for Value), PSA will issue an up-charge for the difference in service cost before shipping the card.

How long do PSA bulk submissions take?

Bulk submissions through a group submitter typically take 60 to 90 days, as the submitter must wait for enough cards to fill a large order before shipping to PSA.

Is PSA re-holdering faster than grading?

Yes, PSA offers 'Reholder' services for cards already in slabs that take approximately 15-20 business days to refresh the casing or label.