Understanding PSA's New Grading Timelines and What It Means for Collectors

Collectors who submit cards and collectibles to PSA for grading have recently faced a significant update in how turnaround times are calculated. As of November 2025, PSA has officially changed its grading timelines, shifting the way they measure processing speed and extending the posted estimates across most service levels. This update has caused some confusion and concern among collectors, but it is important to understand the reasons behind the change and what it means for your submissions.

PSA grading facility intake desk with trading cards awaiting processing

PSA’s New Timeline Policy

PSA now starts counting turnaround times the moment your package arrives at their facility. Previously, the clock began only after your items were unboxed and entered into the grading workflow. This means the intake period, which was not included before, is now part of the official timeline.

This adjustment affects nearly all categories except for autograph-only authentication, tickets, and certain media items such as video games, DVDs, CDs, and Blu-rays. The main goal of this change is transparency. PSA wants collectors to have a clearer understanding of how long their items actually spend in PSA’s possession, rather than giving the impression of faster grading that did not account for intake delays.

While the posted timelines look longer, PSA emphasizes that this does not mean grading is slower. Instead, the new estimates reflect the full process from arrival to completion.

Updated Card Grading Timelines

Here is a comparison of the old and new turnaround times for card grading services:

| Service Level | Old Timeline | New Timeline |

|-----------------|--------------------|--------------------|

| TCG Bulk | 65 business days | 95 business days |

| Value Bulk | 65 business days | 95 business days |

| Value | 45 business days | 75 business days |

| Value Plus | 25 business days | 40 business days |

| Value Max | 20 business days | 30 business days |

| Regular | 15 business days | 20 business days |

| Express | 10 business days | 15 business days |

| Super Express | 5 business days | 7 business days |

| Walkthrough | 5 business days | 7 business days |

| Premium | 5 business days | 7 business days |

For example, if you previously expected your Regular service submission to take 15 business days, you should now plan for about 20 business days. The biggest increases appear in bulk services, where timelines have grown by 30 business days.

Packs, Comics, and Magazines

The new timeline policy also affects other collectible categories:

• Packs: Value submissions now take 125 business days, up from 90. Economy submissions increased from 65 to 85 business days. Express and Premium services for packs remain unchanged.

• Comics & Magazines: Most service tiers have increased by 5 to 10 business days. For instance, Modern comics moved from 35 to 40 business days, and Vintage comics from 45 to 50 business days.

  
  

These changes reflect the same principle of including the intake period in the posted estimates.

Why PSA Made the Change

PSA’s decision to update their timeline policy stems from a desire to provide collectors with a more accurate picture of how long their items spend in PSA’s possession. Previously, the intake period was not included in the turnaround time, which could lead to misunderstandings about how quickly grading was actually completed.

By starting the clock at package arrival, PSA offers a more transparent timeline that accounts for all stages of the process. This helps collectors set realistic expectations and plan their submissions better.

What Collectors Should Expect

Collectors should prepare for longer posted timelines when submitting items to PSA. This means:

• Planning submissions earlier if you need your graded items by a certain date.

• Understanding that the grading process itself has not slowed down; the timeline now simply reflects the full handling time.

• Adjusting expectations for bulk submissions, which have seen the largest increases.

• Recognizing that autograph-only authentication, tickets, and certain media items are not affected by this change.

  
  

Tips for Managing Your PSA Submissions

To make the most of the new timeline policy, consider these practical tips:

• Submit early: If you have an event or sale deadline, send your items well in advance.

• Track your package: Knowing when PSA receives your items helps you understand where your submission is in the process.

• Choose the right service level: Bulk services take longer, so if you need faster turnaround, select higher-tier options.

• Stay informed: PSA updates their timelines periodically. Check their official website for the latest information.

  
  

Final Thoughts

PSA’s updated grading timelines provide collectors with a clearer and more honest view of how long grading takes from start to finish. While the posted timelines are longer, this change is about transparency, not slower service. Understanding this shift helps collectors plan better and avoid surprises.