Grading baseball cards is a popular way for collectors to authenticate, preserve, and potentially increase the value of their most prized cards. The process of submitting cards to professional grading companies comes with costs that collectors need to be aware of. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the various fees associated with grading baseball cards through the top companies, as well as factors that can affect pricing.
By far the largest grading companies for baseball cards are PSA, BGS (Beckett Grading Services), and SGC (Sportscard Guarantee Company). Each company has different base submission fees depending on the turnaround time selected by the collector. PSA offers various tiers of service from economy to express, with economy taking 6-8 months and costing $10 per card, while express can be completed in 1-2 weeks but costs $100 per card. BGS has a regular service option at $15 per card with a 3-4 month wait, and an express option at $50 per card for a 1-2 month turnaround. SGC’s basic grading is $12 per card for a 3-5 month wait, while express is $30 per card for 1-2 months.
In addition to the per card fees, all three major companies charge additional submission fees on top of grading costs. PSA charges $25 for submissions of 10 cards or less, and the fee increases by $5 for every additional 5 cards. BGS charges a flat $25 submission fee regardless of quantity. SGC charges $10 for submissions of 10 cards or less and $20 for more than 10 cards. Collectors need to factor in these submission costs on top of per card grading to determine their total investment.
There are also additional special service fees collectors may opt for. For example, PSA offers a “Green Signature Verification” service for an extra $10 per card to confirm autographs are properly authenticated. “Crossover” services to reholder slabs in different plastic cases are $5-10 each at PSA and BGS. And “Resubmit” fees to crack open and regrade existing slabs run $20-30 per card depending on turnaround time. Factoring in these potential add-on costs is important for budgeting a card’s full grading expense.
The value and rarity of a card being graded can also influence pricing in some cases. Both PSA and BGS implement tiered pricing structures where their most expensive express services cost more to grade ultra-high end vintage cards worth thousands compared to modern commons. PSA charges $150 for a 1-day turnaround on select vintage HOF cards valued over $1,000 as an example. Meanwhile, SGC does not change pricing based on a card’s value and maintains flat rates. Collectors need to check company policies to understand how a card’s potential worth may impact costs.
Shipping is another necessary expense to consider. While most grading companies include basic return shipping in their fees, collectors are responsible for the costs to initially send cards to the graders. USPS First Class Mail packages typically range from $3-8 depending on weight and location. For submissions with insurance or faster Priority Mail, shipping can easily be $10-25 each way. Proper packaging materials like sleeves, toploaders and boxes must also be factored into total costs.
There are additional unplanned expenses collectors may encounter during the grading process that are worth being aware of before submitting. For example, if a card comes back with subpar grades, re-submission to try for a higher rating costs extra. Cards may also require conservation work like cleaning or pressing before grading for an added fee. On rare occasions, cards can be damaged or lost in transit by the shipping companies, requiring replacements. Collectors should consider setting aside contingency funds for potential issues.
Properly budgeting for all the fees associated with baseball card grading is important for collectors. Per card costs, submission fees, turnaround time options, shipping, and potential add-ons like authentication or special services need to be accounted for. Pricing also varies between PSA, BGS and SGC. For common modern cards, basic grading may cost under $20 total depending on submission size. But for high-end vintage cards using express services, total costs could exceed $100 per card or more. Taking the time to understand each company’s pricing structure will allow collectors to plan expenses and choose the best option for their valuable baseball card collections.
