The first step in getting your baseball cards graded by PSA is to decide which cards you want to submit. PSA charges a fee per card, so you’ll want to carefully select your best and most valuable cards. Make sure the cards are in excellent condition without any creases, folds, or discoloration to maximize the chances of receiving a high grade. PSA uses a 1-10 grading scale so aim to only submit cards you think could receive an 8 or higher.
Once you’ve selected the cards, you’ll need to register for a PSA account on their website at PSAcard.com. During the registration process, you’ll provide your contact information and payment method. PSA accepts credit cards, checks, wire transfers, and PayPal as payment options. You’ll also choose whether you want express or regular submission turnaround times which impact the cost.
With your account set up, you’ll need to properly prepare each card for submission. PSA requires cards to be shipped in rigid submission holders called “slabs” to protect them during shipping and grading. You have the option to purchase empty slabs directly from PSA in packages of 25 or 50. The basic slab costs around $3 each. Alternatively, you can find empty slabs for sale individually from hobby shops and card dealers online.
To insert a card into the slab, first handle it by the edges only without touching the surface. Slide the card centering it into the plastic window of the slab. Apply pressure around the edges to secure it without risking damage. Double check that it’s snugly in place and centered before sealing. PSA recommends putting the cards in slabs outside of top loaders or magnetic holders for a flattening effect during the grading process.
Once all your cards are safely secured in slabs, it’s time to package them for shipping to PSA. You’ll need to print shipping labels from your PSA account that include your customer ID number. Wrap each individual slab in a layer of bubble wrap for protection and group them together inside a rigid cardboard box. Surround the slabs with plenty of padding like bubble wrap, packing peanuts or air bags to prevent them from bouncing around during transit.
On the customs forms, be sure to accurately specify the contents as “Trading Cards for Grading” and mark the correct total value based on the submission cost. Once complete, you can ship your items to PSA using your chosen carrier like USPS, FedEx or UPS with tracking. Be aware that international shipping may have additional clearance delays.
Once received, PSA will carefully inspect each card and grade it based on several factors like centering, corners, edges and surface condition. They guarantee turnaround times ranging from 30 days for regular service to just a week for express depending on the volume of submissions. You’ll receive an email notification when grading is finished.
PSA will then securely repackage your now-slabbed and graded cards to ship back to you. As the verified owner, you’ll be able to access high resolution photos and full grading details for each card through your PSA account online. From there you can decide to hold or sell the cards, enjoying any premium the new grading may bring in the trading card marketplace.
With proper care and shipping practices, you too can reliably have your baseball card collection certified and slabbed by the largest third party authentication company in the hobby. Following the steps above will help your cards safely navigate the grading process to maximize their protection and potential value long into the future. With a bit of patience, your personalized PSA-graded cards can become highly collectible assets.
