Sending valuable Pokémon cards through the mail can be one of the more nerve-racking parts of grading. Fortunately, PSA publishes specific packing instructions, so there is no need to guess about how cards should be prepared.
This guide follows PSA's current shipping guidance and focuses on standard Pokémon cards. Always check PSA's instructions again before mailing a submission because requirements can change.
1. Finish the Submission Before Packing
Complete your submission through PSA's Online Submission Center before sealing the box. Your submission paperwork establishes the order in which PSA expects to receive the cards.
Before packing anything, make sure the physical cards match the items on the submission form.
If you are still deciding which cards deserve a submission, use our Pokémon card pre-grading checklist first. It walks through centering, corners, edges and surface inspection before you spend money on grading.
2. Put Each Card in a Penny Sleeve
Protect each raw card with an individual card sleeve before placing it in a semi-rigid holder.
Handle the card carefully by its edges when practical. The goal is simply to protect the surface while making the card easy for PSA to remove during processing.
Do not try to clean, polish, recolor or otherwise improve a card before submission. If you want to understand how condition translates into PSA's grading system, see our PSA grading scale guide.
3. Use the Semi-Rigid Holder PSA Specifies
PSA currently instructs submitters to slide each sleeved standard trading card into a semi-rigid holder measuring 3 5/16 inches by 4 7/8 inches. Both sides of the card should remain fully visible.
PSA specifically says not to use toploaders, tape, pull tabs or sticky notes when preparing cards under its standard shipping instructions.
That distinction matters. A rigid toploader may be excellent for ordinary card storage or shipping between collectors, but PSA's published submission process asks for semi-rigid holders instead.
4. Put the Cards in Submission Order
Stack the protected cards in the exact sequence shown on your submission form, with Item #1 on top.
This is easy to overlook when submitting several cards. Before securing the stack, compare it against the printed form one final time.
If you have multiple submissions in the same shipment, PSA says to keep each submission bundled separately.
5. Sandwich the Stack Between Cardboard
PSA instructs submitters to place the stack between two cardboard dividers and secure it with two or three rubber bands.
The bands should hold the cards firmly enough that the stack does not shift, but not so tightly that the pressure could damage the cards or holders.
The cardboard provides another layer of protection against bending and movement during shipping.
6. Cushion the Bundle Inside a Shipping Box
Wrap the secured stack in packing material and put it inside a new shipping box. Fill empty space so the contents cannot move freely during transit.
Movement is the enemy here. Even though each card is sleeved and held in a semi-rigid holder, the entire bundle should not be bouncing around inside the package.
Use a box rather than relying on a thin envelope for a grading submission.
7. Include the Printed Submission Form
Place the printed submission paperwork inside the package before sealing it.
For multiple submissions, keep the paperwork associated with the correct bundled cards. A quick final check of card count, card order and paperwork can prevent avoidable processing problems.
8. Seal the Box Securely
PSA's current shipping guide says to seal all seams of the box with packing tape. It advises against painter's tape, Scotch tape and reused tape for sealing the package.
Once sealed, attach the appropriate shipping label and follow the carrier instructions for the service you selected.
PSA also currently offers an optional prepaid FedEx 2Day label during online checkout. PSA notes that shipping insurance is not included through that label and must be arranged by the submitter if desired.
Quick PSA Packing Checklist
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Complete the PSA submission and verify the cards |
| 2 | Put each card in an individual sleeve |
| 3 | Put each sleeved card in the specified semi-rigid holder |
| 4 | Stack cards in exact submission-form order |
| 5 | Sandwich the stack between two cardboard dividers |
| 6 | Secure with 2-3 rubber bands without overtightening |
| 7 | Cushion the bundle inside a new shipping box |
| 8 | Include the printed submission form |
| 9 | Fill empty space to prevent movement |
| 10 | Seal every box seam securely with packing tape |
Should You Put Pull Tabs on the Sleeves?
Not for a standard PSA submission under its current instructions. PSA explicitly says not to use pull tabs or sticky notes.
This is a good example of why collectors should check the grading company's own packing requirements instead of assuming that a popular community packing method is what the grader wants.
Should You Ship Pokémon Cards in Toploaders to PSA?
PSA's current standard-card shipping guide says not to use toploaders. It calls for a sleeved card inside the specified semi-rigid holder.
That does not mean toploaders are bad card protection generally. It means they are not the holder PSA currently requests for this submission workflow.
What About Expensive Pokémon Cards?
The physical packing principles remain the same, but expensive cards deserve extra attention to the service level, declared value and shipping protection you choose.
PSA's service levels carry maximum insured-value limits, and its available services and prices can change. Check the current Online Submission Center rather than relying on an old price chart or article before submitting a high-value card.
For shipping, consider the carrier's tracking and insurance options appropriate to the value you are sending. Keep photographs and records of valuable cards before shipment.
Common Packing Mistakes to Avoid
The easiest mistakes are also the easiest to prevent:
- Sending cards in a different order than the submission form
- Using toploaders instead of the semi-rigid holders PSA requests
- Adding tape, pull tabs or sticky notes to card holders
- Overtightening rubber bands around the stack
- Leaving enough empty space for the bundle to move around the box
- Forgetting the printed submission paperwork
- Sealing the package with unsuitable or reused tape
Take a few minutes to check the package against PSA's current shipping guide before handing it to the carrier.
Bottom Line
Packing Pokémon cards for PSA does not require an elaborate setup. PSA's current process is straightforward: sleeve the cards, place them in the specified semi-rigid holders, keep them in submission order, protect the stack with cardboard, cushion it inside a box and include your paperwork.
The most important rule is to follow the grader's current instructions rather than improvising. Packing requirements can change, so use this article as a practical walkthrough and confirm the latest requirements with PSA before shipping.