PSA grading from Indonesia
Ask the WhatsApp adminWhat is Pokémon card grading?
Pokémon card grading is a condition assessment of a card by a third-party company such as PSA, BGS, or CGC. The card is checked for authenticity, assessed on centering, corners, edges, and surface, then given a number from 1 to 10 and sealed in a slab with a certificate number. A grade helps buyers read a card's condition, but it does not guarantee its price. This Pokebawl TCG guide covers the process from Indonesia.
PSA grading is a condition assessment of a card by PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator). The card is checked for authenticity, given a grade from 1 to 10, and sealed in a hard plastic case called a slab, with a label and a unique certificate number. Anyone can check that number in the PSA certificate database.
This page explains the grade scale, what is assessed, the submission routes available to collectors in Indonesia, and how to prepare your cards. We do not list fees or turnaround times as numbers because PSA changes them several times a year; links to the official pages are below.
The PSA grade scale
| Grade | Official name |
|---|---|
| 10 | GEM-MT (Gem Mint) |
| 9 | MINT |
| 8 | NM-MT (Near Mint-Mint) |
| 7 | NM (Near Mint) |
| 6 | EX-MT (Excellent-Mint) |
| 5 | EX (Excellent) |
| 4 | VG-EX (Very Good-Excellent) |
| 3 | VG (Very Good) |
| 2 | GOOD |
| 1 | PR (Poor) |
PSA also gives half grades (for example 8.5) to cards that fall between two grades. The full definitions are in the PSA grading standards.
What PSA assesses
PSA assesses four things:
- Centering: how even the distance is between the image and the card edges. For a PSA 10, the official standard is roughly 55/45 on the front and 75/25 on the back.
- Corners: must be sharp, with no white at the tips.
- Edges: no whitening or chipping.
- Surface: no scratches, dents, stains, or distracting print lines.
A card that looks flawless to the eye will not necessarily get a 10. Fine scratches on the holo only show under bright light at a tilted angle. How to inspect condition yourself is in the raw Pokémon card guide.
Submission routes from Indonesia
Collectors outside the United States commonly use two routes.
1. Submit directly through the PSA Online Submission Center. You create an account at psacard.com/submit, choose a service level, enter the card details, then ship the package to the address on the form. Important note: PSA previously announced a temporary halt to direct submissions from outside the United States because of US import tariff rules (PSA announcement). Check the latest status on the PSA service updates page before sending anything.
2. Through a PSA Authorized Dealer or a submission agent. The dealer or agent collects cards from many collectors, ships them together, then returns each slab to its owner.
Questions to ask before choosing an agent:
- Are they a PSA Authorized Dealer, or an agent that forwards to another dealer?
- Which PSA service level do they use, and what is the declared value limit per card?
- Who bears the risk if the package is lost or damaged, and is the shipment insured?
- What is the total cost: PSA fees, agent fees, shipping both ways, and possible import duty when the slabs return to Indonesia?
- How can you track the status of your cards while they are at PSA?
Fees and turnaround time
PSA fees are charged per card and depend on the service level and the value you declare for the card. Turnaround time also differs by service level and can shift when the queue is long. Today's figures are on the PSA trading card services page and the PSA pricing updates page.
Besides PSA fees, also count international shipping both ways, insurance, agent fees, and possible import tax. For cards with a low raw price, these total costs can exceed the difference between the raw price and the slab price. How to read that difference is in the guide to checking Pokémon card prices.
Preparing cards before shipping
- Check authenticity first. A card that fails authentication gets no grade, and the fee already paid may not be refunded. See how to tell if a Pokémon card is real or fake.
- Do not rub, clean with liquids, or alter the card surface.
- Put the card in a penny sleeve, then in a semi-rigid holder, following the PSA shipping guide.
- Record the card name, set, collector number, language, and year exactly as printed on the card.
- Photograph the front and back of every card before shipping as proof of its original condition.
PSA, BGS, and CGC
| PSA | BGS (Beckett) | CGC Cards | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scale | 1-10, with half grades | 1-10 with half grades and four subgrades | 1-10, with a special 10 label above Gem Mint 10 (for example Pristine 10) |
| Value on the label | One number | Main number plus centering, corners, edges, surface subgrades | One number; check the latest service terms at CGC Cards |
| Verification | psacard.com/cert | Beckett website | CGC Cards website |
No company is "the most correct". Choose the one whose slabs are easiest to verify and most often traded in your community. A high grade also does not guarantee a higher price; slab prices still follow market demand.
Frequently asked questions
Can collectors in Indonesia submit directly to PSA?
Whether direct submission from Indonesia is available must be confirmed with PSA before shipping. A PSA Authorized Dealer or a submission agent is another route whose terms you should check. See the latest status on the PSA service updates page.
How much does PSA grading cost?
Fees are charged per card and depend on the service level and the declared value of the card. PSA changes its prices several times, so always check the official PSA page. Add shipping both ways, agent fees, and possible import tax.
What centering does a PSA 10 require?
According to PSA standards, about 55/45 on the front and 75/25 on the back. Corners, edges, and surface must also be nearly perfect.
Which cards are worth sending to PSA?
Genuine cards in very good condition whose difference between raw price and slab price is larger than the total grading cost. Cards with whitening, holo scratches, or off-center printing rarely receive high grades.
How do I check whether a PSA slab is genuine?
Enter the certificate number at psacard.com/cert, then match the card name, grade, and photos in the database with the slab in your hand. A matching number does not prove the case itself is genuine, so check the label and case as well. The full guide is on the Pokémon slab page.
Does a PSA grade guarantee the card's price will rise?
No. A grade is a condition assessment, not a price guarantee. Slab prices follow market demand and can fall.
How do I get Pokémon cards graded by PSA from Indonesia?
PSA grading from Indonesia can go through two routes: submitting directly through the PSA Online Submission Center when service outside the United States is open, or through a PSA Authorized Dealer and submission agent. The availability of international routes and shipping terms can change; confirm with PSA before shipping.
- Check the card's authenticity and condition first.
- Check the service status at psacard.com/info/submission-updates.
- Choose a route: your own account at psacard.com/submit, or a PSA Authorized Dealer and agent.
- Pack the card in a penny sleeve and a semi-rigid holder.
- Record the card details and photograph the front and back before shipping.
- When the slab returns, check its certificate number at psacard.com/cert.
Pokebawl TCG is an independent collector community and is not affiliated with PSA, Beckett, CGC, The Pokémon Company, or Nintendo. This page is not investment advice.
Read next: Pokémon PSA slabs · How to tell if a Pokémon card is real or fake · Checking Pokémon card prices