PSA
CGC
PCA
CCC
SFG
CollectAuraWhich grader should you choose in 2026?
Six graders share the Pokémon market from Europe: PSA and CGC in the US, PCA, CCC, SFG and CollectAura in France. With early-2026 price hikes at PSA and CGC, the opening of a CGC Munich hub, and the rise of French players, the choice is no longer mechanical. This article compares verified tariffs, turnaround, access from Europe, and resale premium.
Quick comparison: 2026 tariffs & turnaround
Tariffs verified May 2026, shipping and intermediaries excluded. US prices are in dollars; add ~20-25 % for round-trip through a French intermediary (all-inclusive with insurance).
| Grader | Country | Entry tier | Mid tier | Standard turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | US | Value Bulk · $24.99 | Regular · $79.99 | 20-25 business days |
| CGC | US (Munich hub) | Bulk · $15 | Standard · $55 | 14 business days |
| PCA | FR | Classic · €12.90 | Fast · €19.90 | Classic 6 months · Excelsior 1 day |
| CCC | FR | Value-low · €17 | Value-high · €24 | 15-30 business days |
| SFG | FR | Classique · €8.50 | Full-art · €12.90 | 20 business days |
| CollectAura | FR | Pre-grading · €4.90 | Standard · €9.90 | 10-40 business days |
Quick read. SFG is the cheapest on the surface, CollectAura opens a pre-grading door at €4.90, CGC is the only US player with a full-time EU hub, and PSA keeps the strongest resale premium on the premium market.
Decide with three questions
1. What is the card’s estimated value?
Below €50 in market value, forget PSA and CGC: fees (grading + shipping + intermediary) eat the entire margin. Stay with SFG (€8.50) or CollectAura (€9.90 standard). Between €50 and €300, PCA and CCC become competitive: value-based pricing, slabs respected on the FR market. Above €300, the question becomes « PSA vs CGC », and the answer depends on the target resale market.
2. Where do you plan to resell?
eBay US, international market, rare premium pieces: PSA keeps a 10-30 % premium on high-end modern cards, more on vintage WOTC. eBay FR, Vinted, Cardmarket, European market: CGC, PCA and CCC are perfectly liquid — the PSA premium fades, the cost gap is recovered. Local cards (FR-exclusive, old French Wizards editions): a French grader like CCC or PCA avoids the « US slab on FR card » discount.
3. What’s your patience threshold?
PSA Value Bulk officially announces 65 days, in practice 90-120 days including intermediary. CGC Standard via Munich hub holds its 14 business days. PCA and CCC swing between 15 and 30 days. SFG advertises 20 days, CollectAura 40 on premium tiers. If the project must deliver for an event or a dated sale, always add +3 weeks of margin to the official estimate.
The six graders in one sentence
Three common traps in 2026
Underestimating intermediary cost for PSA / CGC
From France, direct shipping to Tustin (PSA) or Sarasota (CGC) is technically possible but fiscally tricky: export declaration, return subject to 20 % French VAT. Almost all French submitters go through an intermediary (PokéLoutre ~€30 all-inclusive PSA Value, Fuji Store, Playground Arena, Booster Breakerz). Budget it from the first card.
Confusing entry tier and actually-available tier
Entry tiers (PSA Value Bulk, CGC Bulk) are capped on declared value. A card estimated at €700 cannot go through PSA Value Bulk (cap $499): you must switch to Regular ($79.99). Tier upgrades are non-negotiable and verified upon arrival at the grader.
Believing a French slab resells poorly in the US
True only on the pure premium market (vintage Holo Charizard, Trophy, etc.). On 80 % of the modern market, a CGC or PCA slab resells without significant discount — liquidity depends much more on the grade than on the label. Rule of thumb: if the raw card is worth less than €300, a French grader covers it fine.
Our recommendation by profile
And after grading?
A slab isn’t indestructible. A minimal post-grading kit protects the value: slab toploader (anti-scratch), sealable team bag, and storage at 15-22 °C / 45-55 % humidity. For immediate resale, a rigid bubble mailer + double slab toploader + kraft paper is enough.