PSA Grading Overview

This article discusses how Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) grading works on purchased items. 

PSA grading allows buyers to purchase grading for certain items they purchase from your livestream. With PSA grading, buyers can get their items authenticated and the item's worth evaluated to maximize the value of their purchased items.

PSA grading can only be offered on items purchased during a livestream (Auction and Buy It Now items). It can also be offered on items won in a giveaway.

Note: At this time, integrated grading is only offered for sellers and buyers in the US.

PSA Grading Process 

1. The seller lists their products and offers grading on these items.
2. Buyers can purchase the product, request PSA grading, and designate the cards they want graded.
3. The seller must verify each grading request in the Seller Hub, confirming the card names and declared values.
4. After processing the request, the seller must print out PSA’s Verification Forms and shipping labels for each grading order.
5. The seller will package the requested cards with the necessary supplies and included forms and ship them to PSA. 
   
   Note: Each PSA grade submission must be packed and shipped separately. 

Eligible PSA Grading Items

Cards

The following card types qualify for PSA grading: 

• Regular or Small-Sized Cards (2-11/16" x 3-13/16" and under) 
• Modern Memorabilia Cards (Thick/Patch) 
• Tallboy Cards (3-1/2" x 5-1/8") 

Funko

The only Funko Pop! type that qualifies for PSA grading is the single, non-autographed 4” Pop! item.

Note that grading is not available for all sellers or listings. 

Non-Eligible PSA Grading Items

At this time, for Cards and Funko, we currently do not support unopened pack grading, autograph grading or authentication, booklets, or crossover submissions. If received, these submissions will be returned unprocessed and delays and/or penalties may be incurred.

FAQ

How much does PSA Grading cost? 

Cards

The cost of grading ranges from $25 to $150, depending on the level of PSA service you select. Each order also includes a $19 shipping fee. 

If you purchase PSA Grading on several cards during a livestream, you may only have to pay the $19 shipping fee on the first item, with free shipping on any additional grading purchases. To qualify for this bundled shipping cost, your grading purchases must:

• Occur during the same livestream. 
• Have the same grading service level. 
  • For example: You purchase three items with PSA Grading. For the first two items, you chose the Value grading service level. For the third item, you chose the Regular grading service level. The first two items will qualify for the bundled shipping costs, but not the third. 

Note: The PSA Grading shipping bundled costs do not apply to purchases made to a seller’s profile shop (outside of a livestream).

Funko

The cost of grading is $39. Each order also includes a $22 shipping fee. If you purchase PSA grading on several Pop! items during a livestream, you will only have to pay a $22 shipping fee on the first item, with free shipping on any additional grading purchases.

Declared Value over $200,000 - Add $20 for each $50,000 over. $200,000 will be a two-package shipment. Packages over $200,000 could be subject to additional Return fees. 

This is a promotional price and is subject to change at any time.

How long does it take to grade cards? 

You will see an estimated shipping time when you request grading. Shipping time varies based on the tier of service you select. 

Who will grade purchased card(s)? 

Grading is done by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), the industry-leading trading card authentication and grading company. 

What type of grading is offered? 

These services do not include autograph grading or authentication. 

PSA Grading Shipping Costs

What happens if cards are lost or damaged during shipping or grading? 

Grading is covered as part of Whatnot’s high-value loss reimbursement policy. 

• For items lost or damaged before being graded, reimbursement will be based on the ungraded (e.g., raw) value of the item. 
• For items lost or damaged after being graded, reimbursement will be based on the graded value of the item. 

What happens if the value of the item I submit exceeds the maximum for the pricing tier I select?

Each PSA service level has a maximum declared value associated with each item: 

• Value: Card must have a declared value of $499 or less.
• Economy: Card must have a declared value of $499 or less.
• Regular: Card must have a declared value of $1,499 or less. 
• Express: Card must have a declared value of $2,499 or less.
• Funko: Pop! item must have a declared value of $4,999 or less.

If the value of your item significantly exceeds the maximum value of the tier you’ve selected, it could result in delays or potential cancellation of your grading order, so please be thoughtful in selecting the appropriate service level. 

The service level you select does not affect the grade an item receives.

For best practices on determining the estimated value for your item, check out this PSA Grading Declared Value article. 

Note: If you have any other questions, please click here to contact our Support team, and we will be happy to help.

Can I sell grading through other services or authentication companies?

No. In order to ensure cards are safely delivered to the buyer, sellers must not sell grading services outside of our integrated PSA grading service. Violating this policy may result in Trust & Safety action. 

However, sellers are welcome to promote or recommend grading services for buyers to use after the seller has shipped the card to the buyer.

Additional Resources

• Offering and Shipping PSA Grading Requests 
• Purchasing PSA Grading for an Item