PSA pauses card grading submissions from outside the US

The Verge - Apr 3rd, 2025

The card grading service PSA has announced it will no longer accept direct submissions from outside the United States, in response to new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. The decision aims to shield international customers from substantial tariff expenses, as the tariffs target the value of the items rather than the PSA service fee. This means high-value Pokémon or sports cards sent for grading would incur significant fees, impacting international collectors and dealers.

Previously, PSA had stopped direct submissions from Canada, China, Hong Kong, and Mexico due to earlier tariffs. However, customers in Canada and Japan can still access grading services at PSA’s local facilities. The move underscores the broader implications of the tariffs, raising concerns over potential retaliatory measures and highlighting the challenges faced by businesses and individuals involved in international trade, particularly in niche markets like collectible card grading.

Trump Administration Tariffs International Trade Psa Collectible Cards

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The news story provides a clear and timely account of PSA's decision to pause international submissions due to tariffs, effectively explaining the situation and its implications for customers. While the article is accurate and well-written, it could benefit from a broader range of perspectives and more transparency regarding its sources. The focus on a niche market limits its public interest and impact, though it remains relevant to those directly affected. Overall, the article serves its purpose of informing readers within the collectibles community but could be enhanced by incorporating diverse viewpoints and additional expert input.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports PSA's decision to pause international card grading submissions due to new tariffs, a claim supported by multiple sources. The explanation of tariffs being applied to the value of the items rather than the service fee is consistent with known trade practices. However, the mention of a PSA physical location in Japan lacks verification, which slightly affects the score. Overall, the story aligns well with factual information, but some specific details, like the retaliatory tariffs, need more clarity.

Balance

The article presents the situation primarily from PSA's perspective, focusing on the reasons for halting international submissions. While it effectively explains the impact of tariffs on customers, it lacks viewpoints from affected international customers or industry experts who could provide a broader context. This narrow focus limits the range of perspectives, but the article does not exhibit overt bias towards any party.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language to explain complex tariff issues, making the content accessible to a general audience. The logical flow from PSA's decision to the implications for customers is easy to follow. However, some technical terms related to tariffs could be further clarified for readers unfamiliar with trade policies.

Source quality

The article does not cite specific sources or experts, relying instead on PSA's official statements. While PSA is a credible source regarding its operations, the lack of external verification or input from trade experts or affected customers reduces the reliability of the reporting. A more diverse set of authoritative sources would strengthen the article's credibility.

Transparency

The article provides a clear explanation of PSA's decision and the tariff implications, but it lacks transparency regarding the sources of its information and any potential conflicts of interest. There is no disclosure of how the information was obtained or whether the author has any affiliations that could influence the reporting. Greater transparency about these aspects would enhance the article's trustworthiness.