PSA just announced a $200 million investment in its operations over the next 18 months, paired with updated turnaround time ranges across all service tiers and a Bulk minimum increase that took effect May 18, 2026.
So what does that mean for the average collector? Here’s everything from the official release and what it means for your submission strategy right now.
🎙️ Our Take — Listen Before You Read
We broke down what PSA’s $200 million investment really means for collectors on the podcast. Worth a listen before you decide your next submission move.
The $200 Million Investment — And Why It Still Means Longer Waits
PSA’s parent company Collectors is committing $200 million to PSA’s operations over the next 18 months — doubling physical footprint, developing proprietary grading tech, and adding roughly 1,000 new team members.
Since 2021, PSA noted it has already invested over $100 million and opened new facilities in New Jersey, Tokyo, Florida, and Texas. They graded over 19 million cards in 2025, up from just 2 million in 2020, and are on pace for another record in 2026 with a 39% year-over-year jump through April. That’s a lot of cards.
So what PSA is saying: Demand has outpaced even that massive expansion. Rather than overpromise on deadlines, PSA is now displaying completion times as ranges reflecting real demand and capacity — so what you see at submission should match reality, not wishful thinking. The new turnaround ranges took effect May 14, 2026, and the Bulk minimum increase hit May 18, 2026.
| Tier | Est. Completion | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Value Bulk (Collectors Club only, 50-card min) | 140–160 business days | Min. increased to 50 cards May 18 |
| Value | 100–120 business days | |
| Value Plus | 60–80 business days | |
| Value Max | 40–50 business days | |
| Regular | 30–40 business days | |
| Express | 20–30 business days | |
| Super Express | 7–10 business days | Price increased: $299 → $349/card |
| Walk-Through & Higher | 5–7 business days | |
| All ranges apply to new card grading submissions as of May 14, 2026. Existing submissions continue under original estimates. | ||
Value Bulk is the one that stings most — 140 to 160 business days means a card you drop in the mail today realistically comes back in early 2027. But note that turnaround times at every tier are now displayed as ranges, so even faster tiers have more flexibility baked in.
One standout: Super Express jumped from $299 to $349 per card due to outsized demand at that tier specifically.
Before you submit anything, check recent eBay sold prices for PSA slabs in your card’s category — knowing your PSA 9 vs PSA 10 comp before spending $25+ per card is the single most important step you can take right now.
Should You Still Use PSA? A Tier-by-Tier Guide
The Timing Risk You Need to Plan Around
Longer turnaround times create a market timing risk that’s easy to underestimate. Submit a hot rookie card today at Value Plus and it might not come back until late summer or fall. If the player gets injured, cools off, or the hype cycle moves on — you’ve missed your window. You’re holding a slab at a moment the market has already moved past.
PSA’s Value Bulk minimum just jumped from 20 to 50 cards. If you were planning a smaller Bulk order, that option is gone — the cheapest path for under-50 cards is now the Value tier. As a goodwill gesture, PSA is extending all active Collectors Club memberships by three months for free. Take that for what it’s worth.
For performance-driven submissions — cards tied to current player momentum — either use Express or higher (those tiers were not affected by the price hike) or honestly ask yourself whether right now is even the right time to submit. A card submitted at the wrong moment can cost you more in missed timing than the grading fee itself.
The bigger picture: PSA is investing more and trying to be more realistic with its timelines. More transparency is good for the hobby long-term. But right now, in May 2026, you still need to be strategic. Know your card’s value, pick your tier based on when you actually need that slab back, and factor the grading cost into your plan before you submit. Not sure which grading company fits your card? Check our full PSA vs BGS vs CGC breakdown here.
Check Today’s Live Card Auctions →
We hand-pick the best PSA-graded sports card auctions on eBay every single day — rookies, vintage, and modern stars across basketball, hockey, and baseball.
How are the PSA price hikes affecting your submission plans? Still going PSA for everything, or has TAG, SGC or CGC earned more of your business in 2026? Drop it in the comments.
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