Thinking about sending your Pokémon, One Piece or TCG cards to PSA – in the USA or, since September 2026, in Frankfurt? Here is why grading in Germany with Platin Grading Service is faster, more predictable and often cheaper for most collectors in Europe – with no hidden costs.
PSA is the best-known brand – but the total bill is decided by service tier, value charges, waiting time and shipping route. Here is how both services compare in a collector's everyday life:
| Criterion | PSA (USA / Frankfurt) | PGS (Germany) |
|---|---|---|
| Location & shipping route | USA or, since 15 Sep 2026, Frankfurt am Main (for EU collectors) – submission via a PSA account | Cologne, Germany – short, insured shipping within Germany |
| Price per card | Tiered by declared card value – expensive cards cost significantly more; the cheaper Value tiers are currently paused | Fixed price from €15.95 (volume pricing from 50 cards, single card €19.95) – no matter what your card is worth |
| Value charge / upcharge | Yes If the determined card value rises, an upcharge is billed afterwards | No No value charge, no re-billing – the price is fixed before you order |
| Customs & import VAT | USA: Yes Import duties and customs clearance on the way back. Via Frankfurt there are no customs within the EU. | No No customs, no import VAT – your cards never leave Germany |
| Turnaround time | Depending on the tier, several weeks to months – the Standard tier is estimated at around 80–100 business days | Same day up to approx. 20 business days depending on service – Express, Premium Express and Same-Day available |
| Shipping risk | USA: long international transport routes. Frankfurt: shipping within the EU | Short, insured routes – personal drop-off in Cologne possible |
| Support & language | International provider headquartered in the USA | German & English support, weekdays 10:00–18:30 CET |
| Status tracking | Limited insight into processing status | Live status for every card in the customer portal – from arrival to return shipping |
| Invoice | USA: billed in US dollars. Frankfurt: billed in euros | German invoice with VAT shown – ideal for dealers as well |
Information about third-party providers is based on publicly available sources (as of October 2026) and may change – no guarantee. PSA is a trademark of Professional Sports Authenticator; PGS is not affiliated with PSA.
At PSA, the grading fee depends on the declared value of your card. If grading reveals the card is worth more than declared, an upcharge is billed afterwards – so you pay the most for your best cards.
At Platin Grading Service you pay a fixed price per card (from €15.95 with volume pricing from 50 cards, single card €19.95) – whether it is worth €10 or €10,000. You know the exact cost before you order. No surprises.
Sending cards to the USA and back means customs clearance and import duties on re-import – plus waiting time at customs and paperwork if anything is declared incorrectly. Since 15 Sep 2026 PSA also accepts EU submissions in Frankfurt; there are no customs there, but the cheaper Value tiers are currently paused.
With PGS your cards stay in Germany the whole time: no customs, no import VAT, no risk at the border – and personal drop-off in Cologne if you prefer.
At PSA, depending on the tier, it often takes several weeks to months in which you see neither your cards nor your money – in Frankfurt, too, the Standard tier is estimated at around 80–100 business days.
PGS grades in up to approx. 20 business days depending on the service – with Express, Premium Express and Same-Day options. You follow every single card live in the customer portal, from arrival to return shipping with tracking number.
Let's be honest: if you sell high-end cards specifically on the US market or collect for an existing PSA set registry, a PSA grade can still make sense there – the brand is internationally established.
For collectors and dealers in Germany and Europe, however: a certified, independent rating with tamper-proof seal, serial number, pop report and public cert verification is available from PGS faster, more predictably and without value-charge risk – with a German-speaking contact whenever you have questions.
The value charge (also upcharge) is a surcharge based on your card's value. At PSA the declared or determined card value defines the service level and fee – if your card grades higher than declared, you pay extra afterwards. Platin Grading Service has no value charge: the price is fixed before you order, regardless of card value.
No. Since your cards never leave the country when graded in Germany, there are no customs fees and no import VAT. When grading in the USA you have to factor in import duties, customs clearance and possible delays on the return shipment.
Yes. Since 15 Sep 2026 PSA accepts submissions from EU collectors in Frankfurt am Main; you need a PSA account. There are no customs within the EU. The cheaper Value tiers are currently paused, and the Standard tier is estimated at around 80–100 business days (as of October 2026).
PGS grades in up to approx. 20 business days depending on the chosen service – including Express, Premium Express and Same-Day options. At PSA, depending on the tier, it often takes several weeks to months until the cards are back with you.
Yes. Every card is rated against clear criteria (centering, corners, edges, surface), sealed in a protective case with a tamper-proof blacklight label and individual serial number, and is publicly verifiable via our database, pop report and cert verification – building trust with buyers in Germany and the EU.
Standard grading costs €19.95 per single card; from 50 cards the volume pricing brings it down to €15.95 per card – in each case a fixed price with no value charge and no re-billing. Bulk discounts are available. You can find all services and prices in the shop; the grading process explains how rating works step by step.
Fixed price instead of value charge, predictable business days instead of open-ended waiting, short and insured routes within Germany. Put your cards in the hands of a German grading service – and follow every step live.