PSA, BGS, CGC Card Grading: What Are the Differences?

Card grading is a service in which a third-party authentication company assesses the authenticity and condition of a trading card, assigns a grade, and encapsulates it inside a sealed, tamper-evident case with a unique certification number. PSA, BGS (Beckett), and CGC all employ a 10-point scale, but their specific criteria differ.

Differences in Grading Scales

• PSA: Under its official standards, the top grade of Gem Mint 10 is virtually flawless, requiring centering to roughly fall within approximately 55/45 on the front and 75/25 on the reverse. Flaws such as ink marks receive a qualifying designation like MK, while cards showing evidence of trimming, restoration, or questionable authenticity will not be graded.
• BGS (Beckett): Evaluates and provides separate subgrades for four individual categories: Centering, Corners, Edges, and Surface. Its premier Pristine 10 grade requires centering of 50/50 on the front and 55/45 or better on the back, making it relatively stricter than PSA.
• CGC: Positions Pristine 10 above Gem Mint 10, awarding its pristine gold label solely to cards exhibiting zero defects even under 10x magnification.

Submission Process

1. Select a service tier aligned with the declared value of the card.
2. Complete the online submission form on the official website and make the payment.
3. Package and ship the cards securely according to the company's packing instructions.
4. After authentication and grading, the encapsulated cards are returned. Certification numbers can be verified on the official website.

Costs and Turnaround Times (Based on Official Websites, Checked on September 14, 2026)

• PSA: Lower-tier Value levels are temporarily suspended. Starting September 14, a new Standard tier opened at $59.99 per card (estimated 90–100 business days), followed by Priority (formerly Regular) at $79.99 (70–80 business days), Express at $199 (20–30 business days), and Premier (formerly Walk-Through) at $599 (7–10 business days).
• CGC: Bulk is $17 (150 business days), Economy is $20 (90 business days), Standard is $55 (10 business days), and Express is $100 (5 business days).
• Beckett: Due to website maintenance that began on September 9, new online submissions were not being accepted, making it impossible to verify rates and turnaround times. Customers must check the official page directly once operations resume. All companies note that turnaround times are estimates and are not guaranteed.

How to Use the Services from South Korea

Submitting directly through the official website or using a third-party middleman service are the most common approaches. In a February 2026 notice, PSA instructed that customers in the Asia-Pacific region (excluding Japan and China), including South Korea, must send submissions to its Hong Kong submission center, and completed orders will also be returned via Hong Kong. In addition to grading fees, international shipping, insurance costs, and customs duties may apply.

Sources

• PSA · Grading Standards (Accessed 2026-09-14)
• PSA · Pricing & Services (Accessed 2026-09-14)
• PSA · PSA Opens New Standard Service Level and Begins Grading in Europe (2026-09-09)
• PSA · New Submission Process for APAC Customers (2026-02-18)
• Sports Illustrated · Hobby U: card grading criteria (2025-12-14)
• CGC Cards · Grade Your TCGs with CGC (Accessed 2026-09-14)
• CGC Cards · Services and Fees (Accessed 2026-09-14)
• Beckett · Grading (Maintenance notice page) (Accessed 2026-09-14)