PSA
CGC
PCA
CCC
SFG
CollectAura
CGC
PCA
Pick CGC if
you target the Pristine 10 and resell on eBay US.
- EU office in Munich, ATA Carnet procedures supported
- Recognised in EU/US, Pokémon premium rising
CGC vs PCA: which grader to choose in 2026?
US Pristine 10 vs French Collector 10+. CGC for international resale, PCA for the French Collector 10+ signature. We compare verified 2026 tariffs, grading scales, access from France and resale reputation. Pick the one that matches your use case, not the hype.
Pick two different graders to compare.
Verdict at a glance
Founded in 2000, CGC Cards division rebranded in 2020. Parent: Certified Collectibles Group. Pristine 10 = no defect under 5× magnification, above Gem Mint 10. January 2026 tariff hike.
SAS founded 2015 (SIREN 810 151 290), president François-Xavier Colombani. French TCG grading pioneer. Collector 10+ is unique worldwide (above PSA 10). Sub-grades on all tiers except Classic.
Comparison table
| Criterion | CGC | PCA |
|---|---|---|
| Country / hub | United States · Sarasota, Florida | France · Paris 16ᵉ |
| Entry tier | Bulk · $15 | Classic · €10.90 |
| Express tier | Walk-Through · $300 | Excelsior · €249 |
| Turnaround | 1 → 45 business days | 30 → 90 business days |
| Scale | 1 → 10 with half-grades + Pristine 10 | 1 → 10 + Collector 10+ (unique) |
| Reholder | Yes | Yes |
| Access from France | CGC Munich (EU office) or French resellers | Direct French submission (online account) |
| EU reputation | Recognised in EU/US, Pokémon premium rising | French leader, -20 to -50 % discount vs PSA on eBay US |
Verified 2026 tariffs from official pages. Turnarounds are indicative and vary with volume.
Grading scale
The two scales are not equivalent. CGC uses 1 → 10 with half-grades + Pristine 10 with CGC Pristine 10 on top and sub-grades optional on selected tiers. PCA uses 1 → 10 + Collector 10+ (unique) with Collector 10+ and sub-grades yes on standard / premium / excelsior.
In practice, a PSA 10 is not the same threshold as a CGC Pristine 10 (stricter under 5× magnification) or a PCA Collector 10+ (one notch above PSA 10). International resale strongly favours PSA 10; French graders are essential for Pokébip / Cardmarket FR but discounted on eBay US.
2026 total cost — example €50 card
- CGC (US) — Value/Bulk ≈ $15 + FR reseller ~€30 + tracked return shipping + insurance ≈ ~€60-70 all-in for a €50 card.
- PCA (FR) — entry tier €10.90 + tracked round-trip ≈ ~€25-35 all-in for a €50 card. No middleman required.
These are indicative 2026 brackets. Adjust for tier (express tiers cost more), declared value (CCC and PCA scale with value) and the insurance you choose. For cards above €500, step up a tier and use insured shipping.
Who should pick CGC or PCA?
Pick PCA if
you target the Collector 10+ and value the French signature.
- No middleman required, simple checkout + Colissimo shipping
- French leader, -20 to -50 % discount vs PSA on eBay US
Final verdict
CGC for international resale, PCA for the French Collector 10+ signature.
- For the French-only collector: PCA stays the obvious pick — no middleman, French support, local community.
- For the resale investor: CGC dominates international resale, especially on eBay US and Cardmarket EN.
- For a first submission: stick with a direct French grader, you skip customs paperwork and learn the workflow before targeting PSA.
See also
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