Is it worth grading? Start with a cost check
Build a complete submission budget and decide what you want from grading without relying on a predicted grade or future price.
First decide what the service is for
You might want authentication, a recorded condition assessment or an encapsulated keepsake. Write down your purpose before paying. Grading is optional; a correctly fitted sleeve and storage system may already meet a care need.
Make a complete budget
| Cost | Where to get the figure |
|---|---|
| Base grading | Current service schedule |
| Labels or extras | Selected submission options |
| Membership | Your actual account requirements |
| Packing | The supplies your route requires |
| Outbound and return journey | Current delivery and insurance quotes |
| Other charges | The service's terms and final quote |
Total budget = grading + selected extras + membership attributable to your submission + packing + delivery + other applicable charges. The calculator covers the base grading part only.
Keep uncertain outcomes out of the budget
Do not fund a submission on the assumption that the card receives a particular grade or sells for a particular amount. The cost of the service remains a cost even when the result is disappointing. We do not provide card valuations or projected sale prices.
If several cards share a parcel, divide genuinely shared costs across that batch for your own planning. Avoid counting a shared charge once per card, or forgetting it altogether. Confirm insurance covers the actual journey and contents.
Use the grading comparer to see the dated base fees, then return to your full budget before submitting.
Sources & checks
- Ace published fees · Checked 2026-10-25
- PSA published fees · Checked 2026-10-25