Card Grading Near Me: Your Complete Guide to Local and Online Options
Guides
Card Grading Near Me: Your Complete Guide to Local and Online Options
Looking for card grading near me? Discover local card shops, mail-in services from PSA, BGS, and CGC, and instant online AI grading options.
CardGrade.io Editorial·Published Nov 3, 2025 · Updated Feb 26, 2026·11 min read
Searching for "Card Grading Near Me"? Here's What You Need to Know
If you've searched for card grading near me, you're not alone. It's one of the most common searches among sports card and trading card collectors, with nearly 3,000 people searching for it every month. The assumption is that there must be a local PSA or BGS office where you can walk in, hand over your cards, and pick them up graded.
The reality is more nuanced than that. While there aren't retail card grading locations on every corner, you do have several solid options for getting your cards graded -- some local, some mail-in, and some entirely online. This guide covers every option so you can find the best fit for your cards and budget.
The Reality: Major Grading Companies Are Mail-In Services
Let's address the biggest misconception first. PSA, BGS, and CGC do not have walk-in retail locations where you can drop off cards for grading. All three companies operate as centralized mail-in services.
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)
Headquarters: Santa Ana, California
How it works: Mail-in only through PSA's online submission portal
Turnaround: 2-12 months depending on service tier
Cost: $25-$150+ per card depending on speed and card value
PSA is the industry standard and commands the highest resale premiums. While their headquarters is in Southern California, you cannot walk in and submit cards directly. All submissions go through their online portal and are mailed in.
BGS (Beckett Grading Services)
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
How it works: Mail-in through Beckett's online submission system
BGS is known for their detailed subgrade system (centering, corners, edges, surface) and the coveted Pristine 10 and Black Label designations. Like PSA, all submissions are mailed in.
CGC (Certified Guaranty Company)
Headquarters: Sarasota, Florida
How it works: Mail-in through CGC's online submission portal
Turnaround: 1-4 months depending on service tier
Cost: $20-$100+ per card
CGC is the newest of the three major grading companies for trading cards (they started with comics). They've gained market share with competitive pricing and faster turnaround times. Submissions are mail-in only.
For a complete comparison of all three services, check out our card grading companies guide.
Local Card Shops as Grading Middlemen
So if PSA, BGS, and CGC are all mail-in, what does card grading near me actually mean in practice? For many collectors, the answer is their local card shop (LCS).
How Local Shop Submissions Work
Many local card shops offer grading submission services where they act as a middleman between you and the grading company. Here's the typical process:
Bring your cards to the shop during their submission window (usually monthly or bi-monthly)
The shop collects cards from multiple customers to create a bulk submission
The shop ships the entire batch to PSA, BGS, or CGC on your behalf
Cards are graded and returned to the shop in bulk
You pick up your graded cards from the shop
Pros of Local Shop Submissions
Convenience: No dealing with shipping logistics yourself
Group rates: Some shops get volume discounts they pass on to customers
Expert advice: Shop owners can advise on which cards to submit and which service to use
Community: Meet other collectors and compare cards during submission events
Reduced shipping risk: Professional packaging by experienced shippers
Cons of Local Shop Submissions
Markup: Most shops charge a $5-$15 per card handling fee on top of grading costs
Slower turnaround: Add 2-4 weeks for the shop to collect, batch, ship, and redistribute
Limited windows: You can only submit during scheduled collection periods
Less control: You can't track your cards as easily or choose specific service tiers
Limited availability: Not every card shop offers this service
How to Find Card Shops Near You That Offer Grading
Finding a local card shop that handles grading submissions takes a bit of research:
Google Maps: Search for "card shop near me" or "sports card shop" and call to ask about grading services
PSA's Authorized Dealer Network: PSA has an authorized dealer program; check their website for participants near you
Facebook Groups: Search for local card collecting groups in your area; members often share LCS recommendations
Card shows and conventions: Local card shows often have dealers who handle submissions; check event listings for your area
Reddit: The r/sportscards and r/pokemontcg communities frequently discuss local shops by region
What to Ask Your Local Card Shop
Before submitting through a local shop, ask these questions:
Which grading companies do you submit to? (PSA, BGS, CGC, or all three?)
What is your per-card handling fee?
How often do you do submissions?
What is the typical total turnaround time?
Do you offer insurance during shipping?
Can I choose my service tier (economy, regular, express)?
How will I be notified when my cards are back?
The DIY Mail-In Process
If there's no local shop near you offering submissions, or if you want more control over the process, you can submit directly to PSA, BGS, or CGC yourself.
Step-by-Step: Mailing Cards for Grading
Create an account on the grading company's website
Fill out a submission form listing every card, its estimated value, and your chosen service tier
Prepare your cards: Place each card in a penny sleeve, then a semi-rigid card holder (CardSaver I for PSA, or as specified by the company)
Package securely: Place card holders in a small box with bubble wrap or packing material
Ship with tracking and insurance: Use USPS Registered Mail, UPS, or FedEx with appropriate insurance for the total declared value
Wait for processing: Turnaround varies from a few weeks to several months
Receive your graded cards: They'll be shipped back to you in protective slabs
Tips for DIY Submissions
Don't overfill holders: One card per semi-rigid holder, no tape on the card
Use proper supplies: PSA specifically requires CardSaver I holders; other holders may cause delays
Insure your shipment: Cards can be worth thousands; insure for full declared value
Keep records: Photograph every card before shipping and save tracking numbers
Start with the economy tier: Unless you need fast turnaround, the cheapest option gives the same grade
A Better First Step: Online AI Grading With CardGrade.io
Here's the thing about card grading near me searches: most collectors just want to know what their cards would grade. They want to understand the condition, figure out if grading is worthwhile, and make informed decisions -- all before committing to a $35-$150 per card expense and a months-long wait.
That's exactly what CardGrade.io provides. Instead of searching for a local shop or filling out mail-in forms, you can get an AI-powered grade prediction from anywhere in the world in 29 seconds.
How CardGrade.io Works
Upload a photo of your card (front and back)
CGI Vision AI analyzes 47 inspection points across centering, corners, edges, and surface
In 29 seconds, receive predicted grades for PSA, BGS, and CGC
Get detailed subgrades showing exactly how your card scores in each category
Make an informed decision about whether to submit for professional grading
Why CardGrade.io Before Traditional Grading
Scenario
Without CardGrade.io
With CardGrade.io
Submit 20 cards to PSA
Pay $700-$3,000+ in fees
Pre-screen all 20 for free, submit only the top 5-8
Buy a raw card online
Guess at condition from photos
Analyze the seller's photos before buying
Decide PSA vs BGS vs CGC
Pick one and hope for the best
See predicted grades for all three and choose wisely
Build a graded set
Submit everything and accept losses
Screen first, submit only high-grade candidates
With 92.8% accuracy and results in 29 seconds, CardGrade.io eliminates the biggest pain point in card grading: uncertainty. You'll know what grade to expect before you spend a dime or wait a single day.
Comparison: Local Shop vs. DIY Mail-In vs. CardGrade.io AI
Pokemon card grading near me is one of the most searched variations, and for good reason. Pokemon remains the most collected trading card game globally, and demand for graded Pokemon cards continues to grow.
The options for grading Pokemon cards are the same as other trading cards: PSA, BGS, and CGC all grade Pokemon. However, a few Pokemon-specific tips:
PSA dominates the Pokemon market: PSA-graded Pokemon cards command the highest premiums, especially for vintage WOTC-era cards
CGC has gained ground: CGC's competitive pricing makes it popular for modern Pokemon sets
Centering is critical: Pokemon cards are notorious for centering issues; use the centering tool to check before submitting
Modern Pokemon is heavily print-dependent: Surface quality varies by print run, so check for print lines before submitting
PSA card grading near me and PSA card grading locations are extremely popular searches. Here's the definitive answer:
PSA does not have public walk-in locations. Their sole grading facility is at their headquarters in Santa Ana, California. However, PSA does appear at major card shows and conventions throughout the year, where they sometimes offer on-site submissions:
National Sports Collectors Convention (annual, location varies)
PSA-hosted card shows (check PSA's events page for current schedule)
Major regional card shows (PSA sometimes sends representatives)
If you attend one of these events, you may be able to submit cards in person. Otherwise, all PSA submissions are handled through their online portal and mailed in. Check our PSA card grading cost guide for current pricing.
When to Use Each Option
Choose a Local Card Shop When:
You value convenience and don't want to handle shipping
You're new to grading and want expert guidance
Your local shop offers competitive handling fees
You enjoy the community aspect of submission events
You have a moderate number of cards (5-20) to submit
Choose DIY Mail-In When:
There's no local shop offering submissions near you
You want maximum control over service tiers and timing
You're submitting high-value cards and want to handle packaging yourself
You're experienced with the submission process
You're doing a large bulk submission (20+ cards)
Choose CardGrade.io AI When:
You want to know your card's likely grade before committing to professional grading
You need results in seconds, not months
You want to pre-screen a large collection to find the best submission candidates
You're buying raw cards and want to assess condition before purchasing
You're looking for card grading near me but don't want to deal with shipping or waiting
Conclusion
The search for card grading near me ultimately leads to three paths: local card shops that handle submissions, direct mail-in to PSA/BGS/CGC, or online AI grading with CardGrade.io. Each has its place, and the smartest collectors use them in combination.
Start by pre-screening your cards with CardGrade.io's free AI grading -- 3 free credits, 29 seconds per card, no credit card required. Once you know which cards have genuine PSA 9-10 or BGS 9.5-10 potential, submit those confidently through your preferred channel, whether that's a local shop or direct mail-in.
Stop guessing and start grading smarter. Try CardGrade.io free today and know exactly what your cards are worth before you spend a dime on professional grading.
Share
Ready to grade your cards with AI?
Pre-screen your cards before submitting to PSA, BGS, or CGC. Start with 3 free credits.
The CardGrade.io editorial team writes about card grading, AI technology, and collecting strategy. Our guides are researched against official PSA, BGS, and CGC standards.
