How to get a Pokémon card graded, step by step

Getting a Pokémon card graded means sending it to a specialist company that authenticates it, gives it a grade out of 10 and seals it in a rigid case. A well-graded card sells more easily and often for more. Here is how to choose the company, which cards to send, what it costs, and how to prepare your cards so you don't lose points.

What is grading?

A grading company examines the card, checks that it's authentic, then grades it on four criteria: centering, corners, edges and surface. The card is then sealed in a rigid case (the "slab") with a label showing the grade and a certification number.

The case protects the card, and the grade reassures the buyer: they know exactly what they're buying. That's why a graded card often resells better than a raw one.

Which cards are worth grading?

Grading has a cost: the service, shipping both ways, insurance. Before sending a card, ask yourself two questions:

• Will its graded value clearly exceed the total cost? A common card is rarely worth more once graded.
• Does its condition allow a good grade? A damaged corner or badly off-centre print limits the grade, whatever happens.

To assess a card's condition before sending it, follow our guide pre-grading: assessing your Pokémon card's condition. Some cards are also graded for personal reasons (a childhood card, a first edition): then protection matters more than resale.

Which company should you choose?

Four names come up most often for a collector in Belgium or France:

• PSA: the American benchmark company, the most recognised for resale, especially internationally. From Europe, many collectors use a middleman service that groups submissions; check the options available when you send.
• PCA: a French company based in Paris; each card is graded by three experts, on a scale that goes up to 10+ Collector. Certification advertised from €10.90. Everything is covered in our guide PCA Pokémon.
• CGC: an American company with a European office in Munich, known for its subgrades and its Pristine 10. See our guide CGC Pokémon.
• Collect Aura: a French company based in Saint-Cloud, near Paris. It offers pre-grading from €4.90 and certification from €9.90, with turnaround times of 5 to 40 working days depending on the tier, drop-off at its premises or at partner shops, and a very wide choice of labels.

For international resale, PSA remains the safe choice. For resale in Belgium or France, PCA and Collect Aura are often simpler and cheaper to ship to. Our comparison PSA, CGC or PCA: which grading service to choose sets out the differences. To compare the French companies with each other, see Collect Aura, PCA, CCC or Pure Grading.

The steps to get a card graded

1. Assess the card's condition and check that grading is worth it.
2. Clean the surface: dust, fingerprints, greasy film (see below).
3. Protect the card: a new sleeve, then a semi-rigid holder (the format grading companies most often ask for). See how to protect your Pokémon cards.
4. Order online on the company's website: list of cards, tier, declared value, return method.
5. Pack carefully: holders between two rigid boards, in a box where nothing can move.
6. Ship tracked and insured, or drop off in person when the company offers it.
7. Track the order until your graded cards come back.

What does it cost, and how long does it take?

The price depends on the company, the tier (turnaround, subgrades, declared value) and the number of cards. As a guide, based on the prices the companies display: Collect Aura from €9.90 per certification, PCA from €10.90. At PSA and CGC, the price depends on the service level and the card's declared value.

Turnaround ranges from a few days for express tiers to several weeks for economy tiers. Always add insured shipping both ways, and check the official price list when you order: prices change often.

Preparing the card: what wins or loses points

Centering and a damaged corner can't be fixed. The surface, however, can be prepared: dust, fingerprints and greasy film cost points for nothing. An alcohol-free cleaning spray sprayed onto a microfibre cloth, never directly onto the card, is usually enough. A slightly curved card can be flattened without heat using a flattening kit. Full details in cleaning a card before grading.

Be careful: grading companies refuse or penalise touched-up cards. PCA states it does not process cards showing traces meant to mask defects. Clean, but hide nothing.

Mistakes that cost points

• Sending a dirty card, or handling it bare-handed just before shipping.
• Sending a card without looking at it under raking light.
• Using a toploader that's too tight, or packaging that lets the cards move.
• Trying to "repair" a corner or an edge before sending.

The full list is in our article the 5 mistakes before sending a card for grading.

Conclusion

Getting a Pokémon card graded is worth it when its graded value clearly exceeds the cost. Choose the company based on where you'll resell (PSA internationally, PCA or Collect Aura in Belgium and France, CGC for subgrades), assess the card's condition honestly, clean its surface and protect it well. For the preparation, everything you need is in the Pokémon card restoration kit for €59.

FAQ

How much does it cost to grade a Pokémon card?

It depends on the company and the tier. According to their displayed prices, Collect Aura certifies from €9.90 and PCA from €10.90 per card. At PSA and CGC, the price depends on the service level and the declared value. Add insured shipping both ways.

Which grading company should you choose in Europe?

PSA remains the benchmark for international resale. For resale in Belgium or France, PCA (Paris) and Collect Aura (Saint-Cloud) are often simpler and cheaper to ship to. CGC, with an office in Munich, is valued for its subgrades.

How long does it take to get a card graded?

From a few days for express tiers to several weeks for economy tiers. Collect Aura, for example, advertises 5 to 40 working days depending on the tier.

Should you clean a card before getting it graded?

A light surface clean (dust, fingerprints) is common and avoids losing points for nothing. Any touch-up, however, should be avoided: a modified card may be refused or penalised.

Which Pokémon cards should you get graded?

Those whose graded value clearly exceeds the total cost of grading, and whose condition allows a good grade. A common or heavily damaged card rarely benefits from grading, except for sentimental reasons.