PSA Pauses Value Grading Tiers as Backlog Nears 10 Million Cards
PSA has temporarily shut down its four Value grading tiers as its backlog approaches 10 million cards. Here is what stayed open, why it happened, and what collectors should grade in the meantime.
PSA Slams the Brakes on Value Grading
If you have been sitting on a stack of cards waiting to send them in at the cheapest tier, the window just closed. Effective Tuesday, June 2, 2026, PSA temporarily paused new submissions for its four Value service levels: Value Bulk, Value, Value Plus, and Value Max. Those tiers, which ranged from roughly $24.99 to $64.99 per card, were the entry point for most everyday collectors.
The cause is a backlog that is rapidly approaching 10 million cards. After PSA's May 14 announcement, demand surged with a 20% spike in submissions that piled another 1.6 million cards onto the queue almost overnight.
Why It Happened
PSA says its daily grading output is at an all-time high, with capacity up roughly five times since 2021. Even so, continuing to accept value submissions at that pace would have compromised turnaround times for orders already in the system.
The goal is to bring the backlog down from nearly 10 million units to 5 million, a target PSA projects could take up to four months to hit.
What Is Still Open
Higher tiers remain available, but they are not cheap:
- Regular service is now the least expensive option at $79.99 per card.
- Express, Super Express, and Walk-Through remain open at their usual premiums.
- Regular turnaround was temporarily extended from 40 to 50 business days.
PSA also launched a public Backlog Tracker that updates monthly, and it is automatically extending every active Collectors Club membership for the full duration of the Value Bulk pause at no extra cost.
What Collectors Should Do Now
This is a good moment to be selective. With value tiers gone for now, grading only makes sense on cards where a high grade meaningfully changes the resale value. Raw singles, bulk commons, and low-dollar inserts are better held until the queue clears. Higher-end vintage and modern chase cards are still worth the Regular fee.