The international trade war initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump has complicated collecting trading cards in Canada. Several facets of the hobby have been impacted by the shifting web of tariffs between Canada, China, and the United States, with distributors, retailers, resellers, auction houses, and collectors all riding the highs and lows.
"There's a lot of things that it's getting tagged on to, primarily Pokemon cards, Magic cards, sports cards, Yu-Gi-Oh cards are the big ones," said MacDougall, a Canadian card retailer. "We're seeing a 25 per cent increase on all that stuff from our suppliers."
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of how tariffs are affecting every part of the Canadian sports card hobby and what collectors can do about it.
How Tariffs Affect Card Prices in Canada
Most sports cards are printed in the United States by Topps (Fanatics), Panini, and Upper Deck. When these products are shipped to Canadian distributors and retailers, they are subject to retaliatory tariffs that Canada imposed in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.
The result is a 25% or more increase in wholesale costs for Canadian retailers. These costs are ultimately passed on to consumers. A hobby box that retailed for $150 CAD in 2024 may now cost $185-200 CAD.
Which Products Are Most Affected?
- Sealed hobby boxes — Printed in the U.S., subject to retaliatory tariffs entering Canada
- Retail boxes and blasters — Same manufacturing origin, same tariff exposure
- Card supplies — Sleeves, top loaders, and hard cases manufactured in China face two sets of duties: one entering the U.S. from China, and another entering Canada from U.S. distributors
- Grading services — Cross-border shipping for grading now involves tariff complications (though PSA's new Canadian facility helps)
Which Products Are Less Affected?
- Single cards already in Canada — Cards already in Canadian inventory are not subject to new tariffs
- Digital cards and e-Pack — Upper Deck's e-Pack platform delivers digital cards that can be converted to physical, bypassing physical shipping
- Cards from Canadian sellers — Domestic transactions have no cross-border tariff exposure
How Tariffs Disrupted Card Grading
The grading industry was hit particularly hard by the trade war:
PSA Stops Accepting Canadian Submissions (April 2025)
Professional Sports Authenticator, the world's largest grading company, announced in April 2025 that it would no longer directly accept cards from Canadian collectors. Instead, Canadians could only submit through authorized representatives who could bundle submissions under a Temporary Import Bond.
This was a major disruption. Canadian collectors who were used to mailing cards directly to PSA in California suddenly had to find an authorized dealer or pay tariff fees on both legs of the cross-border shipment.
PSA Opens Canadian Grading Centre (November 2025)
PSA responded by opening a new grading centre in Mississauga, Ontario, in November 2025. The facility bundles multiple collectors' submissions under one TIB, eliminating individual customs fees. This is the most significant infrastructure investment in the Canadian card hobby in years.
Canadian Grading Companies See Increased Business
Nathan Barnai, president and CEO of KSA Grading and Authentication Services, reported that more Canadians are unwilling to send cards cross-border, which has benefited his company. However, U.S. customers have become more skeptical about sending cards north due to uncertainty about how duties will be enforced.
Tony Piacente, co-owner of iCert Certification Services, said customers were rushing orders to squeeze them in before tariffs took effect. "We're getting a lot of questions coming at us about how it will affect things going forward. There's so much uncertainty, but we don't know from one day to the next what changes will happen."
N.D. Sports Cards: A Tariff Winner
Eric Maggiacomo, co-owner of N.D. Sports Cards in Vaughan, Ontario, reported that 2025 was a record year, and in the first four months of 2025, they had already matched all of 2024. As an authorized PSA dealer, they could bundle submissions under TIBs when individual collectors could not.
How Tariffs Affect Card Supplies
Card supplies — penny sleeves, top loaders, magnetic cases, and storage boxes — are primarily manufactured in China by companies like BCW. These products face a double tariff hit:
1. China to U.S. tariff — Duties imposed on Chinese goods entering the U.S. 2. U.S. to Canada tariff — Retaliatory duties imposed on U.S. goods entering Canada
Elliott Frankl, president of SRM Sports, which distributes BCW products, said the tariffs and duties on supplies made them so expensive that he would have to sell them at a loss. This has led to supply shortages and price increases for Canadian collectors.
What Canadian Collectors Can Do About Supplies
- Buy in bulk — Order supplies in larger quantities to amortize shipping and tariff costs over more units
- Look for Canadian-made alternatives — Some Canadian companies produce card storage solutions
- Check Canadian retailers first — Card Source Canada and other domestic shops may have inventory that was purchased before tariff increases
- Use team bags and resealable bags — These are cheaper than individual top loaders for storing large quantities
The Broader Impact on the Canadian Card Market
Despite the challenges, the Canadian card market remains strong. The Sport Card Expo Toronto continues to grow, with the PSA Canada facility opening just 10 minutes from the International Centre where the expo is held. Canadian grading companies like KSA and iCert are seeing increased business.
The tariff situation has actually created some opportunities for Canadian collectors and businesses:
Opportunities
1. Canadian card dealers are more competitive — With U.S. products carrying tariff premiums, Canadian sellers with existing inventory can offer better deals 2. KSA grading is more attractive — For cards you don't plan to sell internationally, KSA's CAD pricing and domestic service are increasingly appealing 3. PSA Canada eliminates the biggest pain point — The Mississauga facility means Canadian collectors no longer have to choose between PSA's resale premium and tariff avoidance 4. Local card shows are growing — The Sport Card Expo Toronto is now the second or third largest card show in the world, and local shows across Canada are seeing increased attendance
Challenges
1. Higher prices for sealed product — Hobby boxes and retail boxes cost more than they did pre-tariff 2. Supply shortages — Card protection supplies are harder to find and more expensive 3. Uncertainty — Tariff rules change frequently, making it difficult for businesses to plan 4. Cross-border selling is complicated — Canadian sellers listing on eBay or other U.S. platforms face tariff considerations on returns and exchanges
How to Minimize Tariff Impact as a Canadian Collector
1. Buy from Canadian Retailers
Purchasing from Canadian card shops and online retailers like Card Source Canada avoids cross-border shipping entirely. Cards already in Canadian inventory are not subject to new tariffs.
2. Use the PSA Canada Facility for Grading
The Mississauga facility eliminates individual tariff costs for PSA submissions. If you're grading cards worth $250+, this is the most cost-effective option.
3. Consider KSA for Lower-Value Cards
For cards worth less than $250 where PSA's $80 Regular tier doesn't make financial sense, KSA offers bulk pricing at $15-30 CAD per card with approximately 30 business day turnaround.
4. Stock Up on Supplies
If you find card supplies at reasonable prices, buy in bulk. Prices are likely to remain elevated for the foreseeable future, and having a stockpile of sleeves, top loaders, and storage boxes protects you from future increases.
5. Trade Locally
Trading with other Canadian collectors through Facebook groups, local card shows, and community forums avoids all cross-border complications. The Sport Card Expo Toronto, held twice yearly, is the largest trading venue in Canada.
6. Watch the Exchange Rate
The Canadian dollar's value against the U.S. dollar affects the cost of buying from U.S. sellers on eBay. When the CAD is weak, buying from U.S. sources becomes more expensive. Time your purchases accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do tariffs affect sports card prices in Canada?
Tariffs add approximately 25% to the wholesale cost of cards printed in the U.S. and shipped to Canada. This increase is typically passed on to consumers at the retail level.
Can I still send cards to PSA for grading from Canada?
Yes, but through the PSA Canada facility in Mississauga or one of 16 authorized PSA partners across Canada. Direct submissions to PSA's California headquarters from individual Canadian collectors are no longer accepted.
Are card supplies more expensive in Canada due to tariffs?
Yes. Card supplies like sleeves and top loaders manufactured in China face double tariffs — once entering the U.S. and again entering Canada. This has led to price increases and occasional shortages.
Will tariff prices go back to normal?
The tariff situation remains uncertain and subject to political developments. Canadian collectors should plan for elevated prices to persist for the foreseeable future and adapt their buying strategies accordingly.
