Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) opened a new grading centre in Mississauga, Ontario in November 2025, fundamentally changing how Canadian collectors submit cards for grading. The facility allows Canadians to bypass the tariff-related expenses that have made grading increasingly expensive since the U.S.-Canada trade war began.
This is the single most significant development for Canadian card collectors in 2025. Here's what it means for you, how the process works, and whether you should use it.
Why PSA Needed a Canadian Grading Centre
In April 2025, PSA announced it would no longer accept direct submissions from Canadian collectors. The reason was tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war with Canada meant that individual collectors sending cards across the border were being hit with duties on both legs of the shipment — once entering the U.S. and again returning to Canada.
The only way to avoid these fees was a Temporary Import Bond (TIB), a guarantee to both governments that the goods being shipped would return. But TIBs are not financially viable for individual collectors — they require paperwork and fees that only make sense at commercial scale.
Before the Mississauga facility, Canadian collectors had two options:
1. Use one of 16 authorized PSA partners across Canada who could bundle submissions under a TIB 2. Send directly to PSA in the U.S. and absorb the tariff costs, which added $5-15+ per card depending on declared value
The new PSA Canada grading centre solves this by bundling multiple collectors' submissions under one temporary import bond, eliminating individual customs fees.
How the PSA Canada Grading Centre Works
The Mississauga facility is located across the street from Toronto Pearson International Airport, making it accessible for collectors flying in from across Canada. Here's the process:
Step 1: Submit Your Cards
Canadian collectors can submit cards directly to the Mississauga facility rather than shipping to California. The facility accepts trading cards, tickets, coins, card packs, and other collectibles PSA grades.
Step 2: Cards Travel Under TIB
Your cards are bundled with other Canadian submissions and shipped to PSA's California headquarters under a single Temporary Import Bond. This means no individual customs duties are charged.
Step 3: Grading in California
All grading still takes place at PSA's California headquarters. The Mississauga facility is a submission and return centre, not a grading facility itself.
Step 4: Return to Canada
After grading, cards are shipped back to Mississauga under the same TIB and made available for pickup or return shipping within Canada.
What Are the Cost Savings?
The exact savings depend on the card's declared value and the number of cards submitted, but here's a rough comparison:
Before PSA Canada (Direct to U.S.)
- PSA grading fee: $25-80+ per card (depending on tier)
- Outbound shipping: $15-30
- U.S. import duty: 5-25% of declared value
- Return shipping: $15-30
- Canadian import duty: 5-25% of declared value
- Total extra cost per card: $20-100+ in duties alone
With PSA Canada
- PSA grading fee: $25-80+ per card (same tiers)
- Local submission: $0-15 (drop-off or domestic shipping)
- Duties: $0 (covered by TIB)
- Return: $0-15 (pickup or domestic shipping)
- Total extra cost per card: $0-30
For a collection of 20 cards with a total declared value of $2,000, the savings could be $200-500 in duties alone.
PSA Grading Tiers and Pricing (August 2026)
PSA's pricing structure has changed significantly in 2026. The Value tier (previously the most popular option at $25-30 per card) has been paused since June 2, 2026. Here are the currently active tiers:
| Tier | Price Per Card | Turnaround | Best For | |------|---------------|------------|----------| | Regular | $79.99 | 40-50 business days | Cards worth $250+ | | Express | $149.99 | 10-15 business days | Cards worth $1,000+ | | Super Express | $299.99 | 5-7 business days | Cards worth $5,000+ | | Walk-Through | $599.99 | 2-3 business days | Cards worth $10,000+ |
The Value tier is projected to return sometime in winter 2026-27, but estimates have slipped from October toward later in the year. PSA's backlog has been declining — from roughly 14 million cards to around 11 million on record output — but the Value tier remains closed.
Should You Wait for the Value Tier?
If you have 100+ cards worth less than $250 each, waiting for the Value tier to return is likely the right call. At $25-30 per card, the math works for cards in the $50-250 range. At $80 per card (Regular), grading only makes sense for cards worth $250+.
If you have a small number of high-value cards, don't wait. The PSA Canada facility eliminates the tariff penalty, making the Regular tier more affordable than it has been for Canadian collectors since April 2025.
Authorized PSA Partners in Canada
In addition to the Mississauga facility, there are 16 pre-existing authorized PSA partners across Canada. These partners have been bundling Canadian submissions under TIBs since PSA stopped accepting direct submissions:
- N.D. Sports Cards (Vaughan, Ontario) — One of the largest Canadian PSA dealers. Co-owner Eric Maggiacomo reported that in the first four months of 2025, they matched all of 2024's business.
- Other partners are located in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax.
The Halifax PSA office was originally the Canadian headquarters but could not offer grading services. Now, with the Mississauga location, all authorized partners and the Halifax office can offer full grading submission services.
PSA Canada vs KSA vs BGS: Which Should Canadian Collectors Use?
The Canadian grading landscape has shifted significantly. Here's how the options compare:
PSA Canada
- Pros: Highest resale premium, population data, now tariff-free for Canadians
- Cons: Most expensive active tier ($80 minimum), 40-50 day turnaround
- Best for: Cards worth $250+ where resale premium matters
KSA (KSA Grading and Authentication Services)
- Pros: Canadian-based, CAD pricing ($15-30/card for bulk), faster turnaround
- Cons: Lower resale recognition internationally, cross-grades typically come back 1-2 points lower at PSA/BGS
- Best for: Personal collections you don't plan to sell, or cards you're selling within Canada
BGS (Beckett Grading Services)
- Pros: Subgrade transparency, Black Label potential, strong autograph card reputation
- Cons: Base tier at $14.95 but 75+ business day turnaround, pending acquisition by Collectors Holdings (PSA's parent)
- Best for: Premium cards where subgrade detail matters, autograph cards
SGC
- Pros: $15 entry point, vintage expertise, beautiful slab presentation
- Cons: Under same ownership as PSA (Collectors Holdings), questions about long-term independence
- Best for: Vintage cards (pre-1980)
How to Prepare Your Cards for PSA Submission
Before submitting to PSA Canada, make sure your cards are properly prepared:
1. Pre-screen your cards — Check centering, corners, edges, and surface under good lighting. A 10x loupe helps identify print defects that could lower the grade. 2. Clean handling only — Wear cotton gloves, hold cards by the edges, and avoid touching the surface. 3. Sort by declared value — PSA tiers are based on the declared value of the card. Group cards by value to minimize submission costs. 4. Use proper sleeves — Place each card in a penny sleeve, then a semi-rigid card saver (PSA's preferred holder). Do not use top loaders for PSA submissions. 5. Fill out the submission form — Available online at PSA's website. Include accurate declared values for each card.
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for the Canadian Hobby
The PSA Canada grading centre is more than just a convenience — it's a signal that the Canadian sports card market is large enough to warrant dedicated infrastructure. The Sport Card Expo Toronto, held twice yearly at the International Centre in Mississauga (10 minutes from the PSA facility), is now considered the second or third largest card show in the world.
Nathan Barnai, president and CEO of KSA Grading, noted that more Canadians are unwilling to send cards cross-border, which has benefited Canadian grading companies. The PSA Canada facility represents a counter-move — keeping Canadian submissions within the PSA ecosystem rather than losing them to domestic competitors.
For Canadian collectors, the net effect is positive: more competition, lower effective costs, and no more choosing between paying tariff penalties or using a non-PSA grader.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the PSA Canada grading centre located?
The PSA Canada grading centre is in Mississauga, Ontario, across the street from Toronto Pearson International Airport.
Can I drop off cards at PSA Canada in person?
Yes. The facility is designed for drop-off and pickup, and collectors can fly in from across Canada to drop off cards directly.
Does PSA Canada grade cards on-site?
No. All grading still takes place at PSA's California headquarters. The Mississauga facility handles submission intake and return distribution under a Temporary Import Bond.
How much does PSA grading cost in Canada?
PSA grading fees are the same regardless of where you submit. The current active entry point is Regular service at $79.99 per card. The savings come from eliminating cross-border shipping and tariff duties.
Is the PSA Value tier coming back?
PSA has projected the Value tier will return in winter 2026-27, but estimates have slipped from October toward later in the year. The backlog has been declining but remains around 11 million cards.
