Card Grading // 3 Things You Need to Know

December 9, 2025

Process, Submission, Proxy Submission - Get Your First Gem Mint 10 Through Grading

Whether it's Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, or MTG, it's not uncommon for cards to multiply in value many times over.
But to ensure a collection has longevity—preservation, display, and trading—grading becomes a necessary procedure.

Below, Totem Display will address three common questions new collectors encounter:

I. PSA vs. BGS: Two Systems, Two Languages

As you can see, in the current card collecting circles in Taiwan and Hong Kong, the most dominant grading systems are undoubtedly PSA and BGS (Beckett Grading Services). However, these two leading brands are not in direct competition; they are more like two major pillars in the card market, each representing two different collecting philosophies and aesthetic preferences.

The Sports Card Industry Is Having A Tech Revolution, And This Company Wants To Lead The Charge

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator)

In the world of modern trading cards, PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is undoubtedly a leading brand in the grading field. As one of the most renowned grading services globally, PSA has become the gold standard for determining card value, thanks to its stringent standards and extremely high market liquidity.

PSA's grading service enjoys high credibility in the international market. Cards graded and encapsulated by PSA, with their highly recognizable "red label," are considered a guarantee of quality. This not only makes it easier to reach a consensus when trading cards but also ensures their high liquidity in the secondary market. Whether in North America, Europe, or the collecting circles of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, PSA is the most mainstream and common grading brand.

One of the most well-known card grading brands globally, with high liquidity
Known for its "red label," with scores from 1 to 10, 10 being a perfect score (Gem Mint)
Common in Taiwanese, Hong Kong, and Macanese card circles
Grading fees: Vary by card value, approximately starting from NT$700 to NT$2,000

BGS (Beckett Grading Services): The Ultimate Choice for Detail and Perfection

If PSA represents widespread liquidity in the grading market, then BGS (Beckett Grading Services) represents the ultimate pursuit of card condition details and professional depth. With its unique sub-grading system and the industry's most challenging perfect score standard, BGS has become the preferred brand for high-end collectors and perfectionists.

BGS's core characteristic is its highly transparent and precise grading system. Unlike PSA, which only provides a single overall score, BGS breaks down a card's condition into four independent dimensions for grading:

Surface: Checks for scratches, indentations, print defects, or stains.
Corners: Evaluates the sharpness and integrity of the card's four corners.
Edges: Checks for wear, peeling, or whiteness on the card's edges.
Centering: Measures the symmetry between the card's artwork and its borders.

The professionalism of this system allows collectors to clearly understand every detailed flaw of a card. Ultimately, BGS combines these four sub-grades to give an overall score, with the lowest sub-grade often determining the final overall score.

Gold Label10 Pristine (Perfect)BGS's perfect score. The card's condition is exceptional, with at least three sub-grades of 10 and the fourth no lower than 9.5.
Black Label10 Pristine (All four sub-grades are 10)A legend in the collecting world. This is the highest and most difficult accolade to achieve in BGS grading, requiring all four sub-grades of the card to reach a perfect 10. The rarity of Black Label cards makes them the ultimate goal for top investors and collectors pursuing absolute perfection.

BGS grading fees are generally slightly higher than standard PSA services, with prices primarily determined by two factors:

Declared card value: Higher declared values result in correspondingly higher service fees.
Service turnaround time: Depending on the service speed chosen by the collector, grading fees start from approximately NT$1,000 to NT$3,000 or higher. Shorter turnaround times (e.g., express service) incur higher fees.

For players who seek data-driven condition analysis and treat cards as art pieces for precise collection, the professional grading tiers offered by BGS are a worthwhile investment.

II. Grading Process for Taiwanese and Hong Kong Players

For collectors who decide to submit cards to PSA or BGS for grading, understanding the entire process is crucial. This is not merely about sending a package; it's a rigorous process that determines the card's value and insurance.

Step One: Strict Selection and Pre-processing of Card Condition

Before submitting for grading, cards must undergo pre-screening, which is the primary key to achieving a high score.

Item	Recommended Action	Detailed Explanation
Card Type	✅ Authentic cards such as TCGs, sports cards, non-sports collectibles, etc.	Grading companies only accept authentically issued cards.
Card Condition	❌ Avoid cards with irreversible flaws like severe creases, significant damage, or water damage.	Cards in overly poor condition are unlikely to receive a good score even if graded, and may even be returned (No Grade).
Preparation Advice	Cleaning and Protection	Always gently wipe the card surface with a microfiber cloth to remove fingerprints and dust. Place the card into a high-quality inner sleeve, then into a semi-rigid card holder (e.g., Card Saver One) to ensure the card remains flat during shipping.

🔎 Pro Tip: Grading institutions recommend using Card Saver One or similar semi-rigid card holders, not Rigid Toploaders (hard cases), because semi-rigid holders make it easier for graders to remove cards for inspection.

Step Two: Choosing a Submission Method and Strategy (Proxy vs. Self-Submission)

This is the most critical decision point in the process, impacting time costs, international shipping fees, and customs clearance.

A. Choose a Proxy Submission Company (Recommended for Beginners)

Advantages: Proxy submission companies handle all complex international logistics, customs declarations, online form filling for grading companies, and international payment procedures for you.
Suitable for: Grading beginners, those with limited time, or players unfamiliar with English operations.
Process: You only need to send your cards to the proxy company's designated domestic address and inform them of your desired grading tier (e.g., PSA value up to $X service).

B. Choose Self-Submission (Advanced Players or Japan Only)

Challenges: Requires personal registration of international accounts, filling out English forms, handling international shipping (including high shipping costs and insurance), and import/export declarations in Taiwan/Hong Kong.
New option for submission in Japan:
- For players with a large number of Japanese edition cards (e.g., Japanese Pokémon), direct online submission can be done through the official PSA Japan website, sending cards to their grading center in Japan.
- Advantages: The process is relatively simpler and helps graders more accurately interpret information on Japanese cards.
- Reminder: When submitting yourself, ensure that the order of cards logged online is exactly consistent with the actual order of cards in the package. If the order is incorrect, PSA will charge an additional 5% service fee.

Step Three: Waiting, Confirmation, and Receiving Graded Cards

Once the cards reach the grading institution, a long waiting period begins.

Grading Time:
- The grading time for standard service varies widely, usually from 2 to 6 weeks or even longer, depending on the service level chosen and the grading company's backlog.
- Choosing expedited service, though more expensive, can significantly shorten the waiting time.
Payment Settlement: Many grading companies (including PSA) will only charge you the final fee after grading is complete and scores are determined, rather than charging upfront ([00:08:18]).
Receiving Return:
- After grading is complete, you will receive your cards encapsulated in a "Slab," with the final score clearly marked on the grading label.
- Authenticity Verification: PSA provides an official lookup link where you can enter the barcode or serial number on the label to verify the card's authenticity and grading data online at any time.

III. Where to Send Cards for Grading? Recommended Proxy Companies

For collectors who prefer not to deal with complex international logistics, choosing a reliable proxy submission service is the best option. They can effectively reduce the time you spend on international shipping, customs declarations, and communication.

🇹🇼 Recommended proxy submission services in Taiwan and 🇭🇰 Hong Kong
When choosing a proxy service, be sure to select an agency with transparent information, stable collection schedules, and a physical store or clear contact method.

Region	Recommended Company	Grading Services	Brief Service Features
Taiwan	ONE PAPER INSTITUTE	Official PSA partner	Has a physical collection store, provides transparent quotations and regular collection schedules. Offers high assurance and communication efficiency for PSA services.
Taiwan	Yu Sheng International Co., Ltd.	Both BGS and PSA services	An established market player with diverse collection channels, offering one-stop service for submitting to both BGS and PSA.
Hong Kong	HobbyX Store	PSA Hong Kong Partner	Frequent collection cycles, allowing on-site drop-off, convenient for Hong Kong collectors to submit promptly.

✅ Small Reminder: It is recommended to choose companies with an official website, regularly announced submission times, and confirm if they provide insurance coverage to ensure the safety of your cards during shipping and processing.

Your card could be the next high-value collectible that creates market buzz.

Whether your goal is long-term collection value preservation, pursuing ultimate condition, or facilitating resale, sending valuable cards for grading is definitely a responsible way to manage your collection. From selecting a grader, preparing cards, to anxiously awaiting results, every step deserves careful attention. The next time you hold a card with infinite potential, don't hesitate—experience the magic of card grading!