The Short Answer
- The most common way to grade Pokémon cards is direct online submission to PSA, BGS, CGC, or SGC.
- Local card shops and dealers may offer drop-off grading services for a markup.
- Card shows often have grading company booths or authorized dealers accepting submissions.
- Third-party submission services handle the entire process for a fee.
- AI pre-grading is available online and helps you decide which cards to submit.
Short Answer: Where to Get Pokémon Cards Graded
You can get Pokémon cards graded through four main channels: direct online submission to a grading company (PSA, BGS, CGC, or SGC), local card shop drop-off services, card show submissions through authorized dealers, and third-party submission services that handle the entire process for a fee. The most common and cost-effective method is direct online submission, where you create an account on the grading company website, fill out a submission form, package your cards, and ship them. Local drop-off and third-party services are more convenient but charge a markup.
Option 1: Direct Online Submission
Direct online submission is the standard method for grading Pokémon cards. Here is how it works for each company:
PSA Direct Submission
- Create an account at psacard.com
- Purchase a PSA Collector Club membership ($49.99/year) for direct submission privileges
- Fill out the online submission form with card details and declared values
- Select a service tier (Regular $79.99, Express $150, etc.)
- Pay the grading fee upfront
- Package cards in penny sleeves and semi-rigid holders (Card Saver 1)
- Ship to PSA via trackable, insured mail
BGS Direct Submission
- Create an account at beckett.com/grading
- Fill out the submission form
- Select a service tier (Standard $35, Express $75, etc.)
- Pay the grading fee
- Package cards in penny sleeves and toploaders or semi-rigid holders
- Ship to Beckett via trackable, insured mail
CGC Direct Submission
- Create an account at cgccards.com
- Optional: Purchase a CGC membership ($25–$149/year) for benefits
- Fill out the submission form
- Select a service tier (Economy $15, Standard $25, etc.)
- Pay the grading fee
- Package cards in penny sleeves and holders
- Ship to CGC via trackable, insured mail
Direct submission is the cheapest option because you pay only the grading company fee plus shipping. No middleman markup. The downside is that you handle all packaging, shipping, and form completion yourself.
Option 2: Local Card Shop Drop-Off
Many local card shops (LCS) offer grading drop-off services. The shop acts as an intermediary — you bring your cards to the shop, they handle the submission form, packaging, and shipping, and you pick up the graded cards when they return.
How It Works
- Find a local card shop that offers grading services (call ahead or check their website)
- Bring your cards to the shop
- The shop fills out the submission form and packages the cards
- The shop ships the cards to the grading company
- When the graded cards return, you pick them up at the shop
Pros
- Convenience: No need to create accounts, fill out forms, or package cards yourself
- No shipping hassle: The shop handles all shipping and insurance
- Expert advice: Shop staff can help you choose the right company and tier
- Local pickup: No need to be home for return delivery
Cons
- Markup: Shops typically charge $5–20 per card above the grading company fee
- Longer turnaround: The shop may batch submissions, adding 1–2 weeks to the process
- Limited company options: Some shops only submit to one company (usually PSA)
- Availability: Not all card shops offer grading services
Option 3: Card Shows and Conventions
Card shows and conventions often feature grading company booths or authorized dealers who accept submissions on-site. Major shows like the National Sports Collectors Convention, Chicago Sports Spectacular, and local card shows may have PSA, BGS, or CGC representatives.
How It Works
- Find a card show with a grading company presence (check the show website or promoter)
- Bring your cards to the show
- Visit the grading company booth or authorized dealer
- Fill out a submission form on-site
- Pay the grading fee (sometimes at show-special pricing)
- The company or dealer takes your cards and ships them for grading
- Graded cards are shipped back to you or available for pickup at a future show
Pros
- Show specials: Grading companies sometimes offer discounted pricing at shows
- Direct interaction: You can talk to grading company representatives
- No shipping: You hand over the cards in person
Cons
- Limited dates: Shows happen on specific dates, not year-round
- Travel required: You must attend the show, which may involve travel and admission fees
- Limited capacity: Popular booths may have submission limits or long lines
Option 4: Third-Party Submission Services
Third-party submission services handle the entire grading process for you. You mail your cards to the service, they submit to the grading company, and they mail the graded cards back to you.
How It Works
- Find a reputable submission service (search online for "card grading submission service")
- Mail your cards to the service or use their online portal
- The service creates the submission, packages, and ships to the grading company
- When graded cards return, the service mails them to you
Pros
- Full service: No need to create accounts, fill out forms, or handle packaging
- Company flexibility: Many services submit to PSA, BGS, CGC, and SGC
- Expert screening: Some services pre-screen your cards and advise on which to submit
Cons
- Highest cost: Services charge $10–30 per card above the grading fee
- Trust risk: You are mailing valuable cards to a third party — verify their reputation
- Longer turnaround: The intermediary adds time to the process
Does GameStop Grade Pokémon Cards?
GameStop does not currently offer Pokémon card grading services. GameStop sells Pokémon TCG products and accepts trade-ins for some Pokémon cards, but they are not a grading company and do not submit cards to PSA, BGS, CGC, or SGC on behalf of customers.
If you have seen references to GameStop grading Pokémon cards, it may be confusion with:
- GameStop trade-ins: GameStop buys some Pokémon cards for store credit, but this is not grading.
- Retail grading promotions: Occasionally, retailers partner with grading companies for promotional events, but these are temporary and not ongoing services.
- Online misinformation: Some online posts incorrectly claim GameStop offers grading. Verify any such claims with your local GameStop directly.
For Pokémon card grading, use direct submission to PSA, BGS, CGC, or SGC, or use a local card shop or third-party service.
Pokémon Grading Near Me: How to Find Local Options
If you are searching for "Pokémon grading near me," here is how to find local options:
- Search Google for "card grading near me" or "card shop grading services." This will show local card shops that offer grading drop-off services.
- Call local card shops. Ask if they offer grading submission services, which companies they submit to, and what they charge per card.
- Check card show schedules. Search for upcoming card shows in your area. Check if grading companies or authorized dealers will be present.
- Search for "PSA authorized dealer" or "CGC authorized dealer." Some dealers are officially authorized by grading companies to accept submissions.
- Use online submission instead. If no local options are available, direct online submission to PSA, BGS, CGC, or SGC is available to anyone with an account. You do not need a local service — you just need to package and ship your cards.
Remember that "near me" does not necessarily mean "better." Direct online submission is often cheaper and gives you more control over the process. Local services are primarily a convenience option.
Comparing All Submission Methods
| Method | Cost per Card | Convenience | Turnaround | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Online (PSA) | $79.99 + shipping | Medium | 40–65 days | Cost-conscious collectors |
| Direct Online (CGC) | $15 + shipping | Medium | 20–40 days | Bulk modern cards |
| Local Card Shop | $85–100 (PSA + markup) | High | 50–75 days | Convenience seekers |
| Card Show | $80–100 (sometimes discounted) | High | 40–65 days | Show attendees |
| Third-Party Service | $90–110 (PSA + service fee) | Highest | 50–80 days | Full-service preference |
Which Method Is Best for You?
Choose your submission method based on your priorities:
- Lowest cost: Direct online submission to CGC Economy ($15/card) or PSA Regular ($79.99/card). No middleman markup.
- Maximum convenience: Third-party submission service. They handle everything, but you pay $10–30/card above the grading fee.
- Balanced approach: Local card shop drop-off. Small markup but no shipping hassle. Good if you have a trusted local shop.
- Show attendee: Card show submission. Take advantage of show specials and direct interaction with grading companies.
Regardless of which method you choose, pre-grade your cards with AI before submitting. This ensures you only pay grading fees for cards likely to earn high grades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to get Pokémon cards graded?
Where to grade Pokémon cards near me?
Where can I get my Pokémon cards graded?
Does GameStop grade Pokémon cards?
Where to send Pokémon cards for grading?
Sources & Further Reading
Sarah Williams leads PreGradeCards educational content and collector onboarding. She has been a full-time collector and dealer for 12 years, specializing in modern sports cards and Pokémon TCG, and has written grading guides read by over 300,000 collectors.
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.