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Beginner Guide

6 min read

How to Pack and Ship Cards to PSA Without Damage

How to Pack and Ship Cards to PSA Without Damage

Your card is in perfect PSA 10 condition. Now it has to survive the post. This is where collectors make costly mistakes. Not in the grading selection, but in the packing. Damage in transit means a lower grade, and PSA won't compensate you for shipping damage.

Here's the exact process to pack a submission safely.

What You Need

Step 1: Sleeve the Card

Put on white cotton gloves before touching the card. Handle by edges only.

Slide the card face-down into a KMC Perfect Fit sleeve. The sleeve should fit snugly, with no excess movement inside. This protects the card surface from any contact with the Card Saver's interior.

Step 2: Place in Card Saver

Gently slide the sleeved card into a Card Saver I. The card should slide in without force. If it's tight, don't push: check that the sleeve isn't folded. The card saver opening should face upward when held vertically.

Do not tape or seal the Card Saver opening. PSA needs to be able to remove the card.

Step 3: Seal in Team Bag

Slide the Card Saver into a resealable team bag. Press out any excess air and seal. This waterproofs the card and adds a layer of protection against moisture during transit, especially important for international shipments.

Step 4: The Cardboard Sandwich

Cut or find two pieces of rigid cardboard slightly larger than your Card Savers. Stack your bagged Card Savers between the two pieces of cardboard and secure with rubber bands: one horizontal, one vertical.

This creates a rigid core that prevents the package from flexing. Even a bubble mailer will flex under postal machine pressure without this.

For submissions of 10+ cards, consider a small rigid box instead of the cardboard sandwich method.

Step 5: Include Your PSA Form

Print your PSA submission form from the PSA website and place it on top of the cardboard sandwich before final packing. PSA needs this to process your order.

Step 6: Pack Into Bubble Mailer

Place the cardboard sandwich (with form on top) into a padded bubble mailer. The mailer should be large enough that the cardboard sits flat without bending.

Seal the mailer. Write "DO NOT BEND" and "FRAGILE" clearly on the outside. Some collectors also add a "TRADING CARDS: PLEASE DO NOT BEND" sticker.

Step 7: Ship with Tracking

Always ship with tracking and signature confirmation for submissions over €100 in declared value. Keep the tracking number until your submission is confirmed received by PSA in their system.

PSA's submission address is on your printed form. For international shipments from Europe, DHL and DPD are commonly used. They offer reliable tracking to the US.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

No cardboard sandwich: bubble mailers alone flex under pressure. Always include rigid cardboard.

Taping the Card Saver shut: PSA can't open it without potentially damaging the card. Never tape.

Using only one sleeve: a penny sleeve inside a Card Saver is not enough. Always use a Perfect Fit inner sleeve.

Not including the submission form: your cards will be delayed or returned without it.

Underinsuring the shipment: declare the full value of the cards. If a €500 submission is lost, you want it covered.

After You Ship

Log your tracking number and save your PSA order number. PSA's Economy turnaround is currently 60–90 days. Check your submission status at psacard.com: it will update when the package is received and again when grading is complete.