Share This Article
The Short Answer
- CGC Bulk runs ~120 working days (~5.5 months) as of May 28, 2026.
- CGC Economy ~65 working days (~3 months); Standard ~30 working days.
- PSA Regular extended to 40–50 business days with Value tiers paused.
- CGC times are estimates, not guarantees; orders can't be changed once in transit.
CGC Turnaround Times (May 2026)
As of its May 28, 2026 update, CGC's estimated turnaround times were:
- Bulk: ~120 working days (~5.5 calendar months)
- Economy: ~65 working days (~3 calendar months)
- Standard: ~30 working days
- Express / Walkthrough: fast, at a premium
CGC notes plainly that these are estimates, not guarantees, and that orders cannot be changed or cancelled once in transit.
PSA Turnaround Times During the Pause
With Value tiers paused, PSA's cheapest open tier is Regular at $79.99, and its turnaround was extended from 30–40 to 40–50 business days due to backlog pressure. Faster PSA tiers exist but cost considerably more.
Try it on your own cards — free
2 free credits · instant AI grade + market value · no credit card required
Get Free Credits →
The Trade-Off: Cost vs. Speed vs. Label
The decision comes down to three variables:
- Cost: CGC bulk/economy undercut PSA's $79.99 floor.
- Speed: PSA Regular (~40–50 business days) beats CGC Bulk/Economy on time.
- Label premium: PSA slabs still command the strongest resale premium on most modern cards.
For cheap cards where speed does not matter, CGC wins on cost. For cards where the PSA premium exceeds the price gap, PSA Regular is still worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does CGC take to grade cards in 2026?
As of May 2026, CGC Bulk runs ~120 working days, Economy ~65 working days, and Standard ~30 working days, with faster Express/Walkthrough options at a premium.
Is CGC faster than PSA right now?
Not for bulk. PSA Regular (~40–50 business days) is faster than CGC Bulk (~120) and Economy (~65), but CGC is cheaper per card.
Can I cancel a CGC order?
No. CGC states that orders cannot be changed or cancelled once in transit, and turnaround times are estimates, not guarantees.
Sources & Further Reading
Create a free account and get 2 free credits — enough for 2 complete AI gradings with market pricing. No credit card required.
Get Your Free Credits →Or try the free tools first: AI Pre-Grade Calculator · Submission Planner