CGC Raises Grading Fees During PSA Buyback Scandal: Price Hike Explained
- Jeff Brighton
- 18 hours ago
- 3 min read
Amid ongoing fallout from the PSA buy back scandal, CGC’s announcement of another round of fee increases has exacerbated tensions across the trading card community, with collectors condemning the move as poorly timed and exploitative.
While grading costs have risen 10-20% industry-wide in 2025, CGC had already implemented a $2 increase for its Bulk and Economy tiers (plus select services) May 6 2025. This latest hike—coupled with April’s adjustments—means CGC’s services now cost +20% more than pre-2025 rates, a stark contrast to competitors’ pricing and a growing pain point for budget-conscious collectors.
However, whether this was part of their roadmap before PSA’s controversy or not, graders have consistently maintained poor communication with collectors, who often receive abrupt price notices without justification. Furthermore, given the extraordinary growth of all top graders in 2025, many question why companies generating significantly more business are raising fees. Typically, they cite needing funds to “cope with demand,” fund “operational expansions,” or maintain turnaround times. But if collectors boycotted major graders, would fees decrease? Unlikely.
Below is a comparison of CGC’s current rates (post-May 2025 increase) and the new fees effective January 6, 2026. We’ll then analyze the potential reasons and impacts of this increase.
Note: You must submit CGC forms online by January 6 AND ensure physical items arrive at their headquarters before January 20, 2026 to lock in current pricing.
Service | Current Fees per Card | New Fees Per Card | Increase (%) |
Bulk tier | $14 | $15 | +7.1% |
Economy tier | $17 | $18 | +5.9% |
Standard tier | $45 | $55 | +22.2% |
Express tier | $85 | $100 | +17.6% |
WalkThrough tier | $275 | $300 | +9.1% |
Unlimited Value tier | $275 + 1% FMV ($2,500 max.) | $300 +1% FMV (No Cap mentioned) | +9.1% |
Pack-pulled Autographs | Tier + $2 | Tier + $5 | +150% |
Standard tier (SS)* | $65 | $70 | +7.7% |
Express tier (SS)* | $110 | $125 | +13.6% |
WalkThrough tier (SS)* | $325 | $350 | +7.7% |
Unlimited WalkThrough tier (SS)* | $325 + 1% FMV ($2,550 max.) | $350 + 1% FMV (No Cap mentioned) | +7.7% |
(SS)*: Signature Series
Does CGC’s Grading Fee Increase Make Sense?
Several factors warrant scrutiny, chief among them being the cumulative impact of this hike on top of May 2025’s increase, which pushed rates up by ~20% for regular/popular services and even higher for standard tiers—including steep per-card costs for premium offerings.
Key observations:
Two-Phase Increase Strategy: CGC split its 2025 fee hikes into two cycles (May 2025 and January 2026), a tactic competitors may adopt, given how market conditions can shift between quarterly cycles. Collectors, however, often overlook incremental rises over time.
Operational Scaling Claims: CGC graded 400,000+ cards in November 2025 alone, achieving 95% YoY growth while maintaining faster turnaround times than PSA—a key driver of its 2025 market share gains.
Bubble-Driven Demand: Most 2025 submissions stem from speculative investors capitalizing on the grading boom, insulating CGC from backlash over fees. For everyday collectors, however, spending $20+ per card for authentication and protection—plus rising fees tied to market value—is increasingly hard to justify.
Service Tier Breakdown:
Bulk Discount Focus: CGC prioritizes volume (e.g., bulk submissions) over single-card services, which saw the sharpest spikes.
Autograph Fees:
Pack-pulled autographs: $2 → $5
JSA-authenticated autographs: $25 → $30
Signature Series Events: Heavily promoted for in-demand athlete/artist signings, but bulk tiers remain the only cost-effective option. Premium services don’t align with most collectors’ needs (e.g., base card signings), as costs balloon.
CGC’s 2025 fee increases may appear strategically defensible given its position as a mid-tier pricing alternative to PSA (which struggles with lengthy turnaround times). However, critics argue this justification falters when scrutinizing the company’s dual role as both grader and marketplace stakeholder—a structure that risks perceived conflicts of interest. Price hikes tied to market participation, rather than operational necessity, raise fair questions about prioritization: Are these decisions serving collectors or corporate growth? The evolving grading landscape demands informed collectors. For more insights into how industry decisions impact your collection, explore our Behind The Cards section.
Your Voice Matters: How have recent fee changes affected your submissions? Share your strategy in the comments—or discover how to adapt in our latest deep dive.
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