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.
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?
Is CGC faster than PSA right now?
Can I cancel a CGC order?
Sources & Further Reading
With submission floors rising, pre-screening is no longer optional. Use our AI Pre-Grade Calculator to score a card's PSA 10 odds before you pay, and the Submission Planner to pick the right tier.