PCA Pokémon: the grading scale, submitting and preparing your cards

PCA is the go-to grader on the French-speaking market. Its slabs resell very well in France and Belgium, and submitting is much simpler than shipping to the United States. But what do a 9.5 "Neuf" and a 10+ "Collector" mean, how does a submission work, and how do you prepare your cards so you don't lose points? Here is what you need to know, based on the information PCA publishes.

For the full process, from choosing a company to shipping, see our guide how to get a Pokémon card graded.

Key points:

PCA (Professional Cards Authenticator) is a French company based in Paris, officially launched in 2016.
Each card is graded three times, by three different experts.
The scale runs from 1 to 10+: at the top, the 10+ Collector, then the 10 Neuf Sup' and the 9.5 Neuf.
You order online, then mail your cards, or drop them off in Paris.
PCA won't process cards where defects have been hidden: clean, don't touch up.

What is PCA?

PCA stands for Professional Cards Authenticator. It's a French certification company based in Paris, which officially started in 2016 and describes itself as the first European certification company. It grades Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering and Dragon Ball Super cards, then seals them in a rigid case with a label.

PCA also publishes a population report. To learn how to read it, see our guide PCA population report: how to read it.

How PCA grades a card

Each card is assessed independently by three experts. They look at four criteria:

Centering: the width of the borders, front and back.
Surface: scratches and micro-scratches, dents, deposits, stains, creases, as well as shine and colour.
Edges: evenness, white spots, ink marks, knocks.
Corners: the cut shape, white spots, integrity.

Good to know: when a set is known for a recurring print defect, PCA takes it into account and penalises it less. PCA also offers subgrades, which break the grade down by criterion.

The PCA grading scale

It's built on the same base as the American scales, with two extra steps: the 10+ and the 9.5. In short:

10+ Collector: a perfect card, with no factory defect or wear, very well centred (60/40 or better on the front, 75/25 or better on the back).
10 Neuf Sup': perfect appearance, no wear, but a few factory micro-defects visible only on close inspection.
9.5 Neuf: looks new, with very rare white spots or faint handling scratches under the light.
9 and 8: rare, tiny wear, or more factory defects.
7 to 5: increasingly visible handling wear, small knocks, softer corners.
4 to 1: obvious wear, creases, heavy rubbing.

The full definition of each grade is published on PCA's website.

Sending your cards to PCA

Create your order on PCA's website: cards, options, return method.
Print the order receipt you receive by email.
Protect your cards well and ship them with the receipt. PCA recommends insured, signed-for shipping.
You can also drop off and collect your cards in person at PCA's premises in Paris.

From elsewhere in the European Union, shipping stays simple: no customs. Current prices and turnaround times are on PCA's pricing page.

Two useful options: you can ask for cards below a minimum grade to be returned unslabbed, or have them certified "A" (authentic) without a grade.

PCA, PSA or CGC?

PCA is often the best choice for a card you'll sell in France or Belgium. For international resale, PSA remains the benchmark, and CGC is a good alternative with a European office. We compare all three in PSA, CGC or PCA: which grading service should you choose?, and cover CGC in CGC Pokémon: how it works.

Before sending to PCA: prepare the card

Centering can't be fixed. So start with an honest assessment using our guide pre-grading: assess your Pokémon card's condition, and check the back edges (whitening: can it be fixed?).

Surface counts a lot at PCA: deposits, marks and loss of shine are all graded. A cleaning spray sprayed onto a microfibre cloth, never directly on the card, removes dust and fingerprints. For a dull holo, a shine gel applied with a foam applicator brings back the mirror effect. A slightly curved card can be flattened with a flattening kit.

Careful: PCA states it won't process cards showing traces meant to hide defects. Clean, but don't try to hide a defect. Also avoid the 5 mistakes before sending a card for grading.

Conclusion

PCA is the natural choice for grading Pokémon cards from France or Belgium: a Paris-based company, three experts per card and a precise scale up to the 10+ Collector. Centering and corners can't be recovered, but the surface can be prepared: send a clean card, with no touch-ups. Everything you need is in the complete kit.

FAQ

What does PCA stand for?

PCA stands for Professional Cards Authenticator. It's a French trading card certification company based in Paris.

What is a PCA 10+ Collector?

It's the highest grade on the PCA scale: a perfect card, with no factory defect or wear, and very well centred front and back.

What's the difference between PCA 10 and PCA 9.5?

The 10 "Neuf Sup'" looks perfect, with at most very rare factory micro-defects. The 9.5 "Neuf" looks new but shows very rare white spots or faint handling scratches under the light.

Can you clean a card before sending it to PCA?

Yes, a light surface clean with a grading-safe product and a microfibre cloth is common. However, PCA won't process cards where defects have been hidden: no touch-ups.