At a glance
PSA reports an active grading backlog of 6.8 million units in its 3 November update, down from 7.2 million on 20 October. For an individual order, the service and its original terms still matter.
PSA · reported active backlog · latest entry 3 November 2026
- Latest reported backlog
- 6.8 million units · 3 November
- Latest net reduction
- 0.4 million units · 20 October–3 November
- Value Bulk reopening
- No date announced in this update
The queue since September
The chart uses five dated observations from PSA’s tracker. It falls from 9.9 million on 8 September to 6.8 million on 3 November. The latest interval is smaller than the preceding one. PSA attributes that slower reduction to additional submissions after Value reopened, while saying daily output stayed consistent with recent production.
PSA · reported active backlog · latest entry 3 November 2026
PSA’s reported active grading backlog
PSA · reported active backlog · latest entry 3 November 2026
View data and downloads
| Report date | Million units |
|---|---|
| 2026-09-08 | 9.9 |
| 2026-09-22 | 9 |
| 2026-10-06 | 8.2 |
| 2026-10-20 | 7.2 |
| 2026-11-03 | 6.8 |
A falling backlog is a net change
Why a smaller queue is only part of the picture
Incoming work adds to the queue.
6.8 million active units on 3 November.
Output reduces the queue as work finishes.
Backlog measures work still waiting. It changes when new work enters and when work leaves. A reduction of 400,000 units therefore cannot, by itself, tell us how many cards PSA graded during that period.
That is why this chart has no projected zero-backlog date. Extending the last line segment would assume that arrivals and output keep behaving in the same way. The tracker supplies a history of reported queue sizes, not the inputs for that forecast.
PSA · reported active backlog · latest entry 3 November 2026
The service estimates answer a different question
PSA’s 28 October announcement gave estimated business-day ranges of 90–100 for Value outside Japan, 70–80 for Standard and 50–60 for Priority. The chart reproduces those announced ranges. Use the ranges to compare announced services alongside their fees and eligibility.
The same announcement priced direct US Value at US$39.99 with a US$500 maximum insured value, and listed €39.99 for Europe. Japan’s Value estimate was 120 business days. These are region-specific service terms; a UK intermediary’s all-in quote must be checked separately.
PSA · service changes announced 28 October 2026
Announced turnaround ranges
PSA · service changes announced 28 October 2026
View data and downloads
| Service | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Value | 90 | 100 |
| Standard | 70 | 80 |
| Priority | 50 | 60 |
An older order keeps its original terms
Use the date and terms on your original order.
New estimates do not rewrite an older order.
Include transport, handling and any taxes in a UK quote.
PSA said the revised Standard and Priority estimates apply to orders submitted from 28 October at 8am Pacific. Existing orders retain the terms under which they entered, even if processing becomes faster. Its November update also reiterates that existing orders keep priority ahead of new Value submissions.
Keep the original confirmation, service level and current status together. That is the record to check against any new service announcement.
PSA · service changes announced 28 October 2026 · PSA · reported active backlog · latest entry 3 November 2026
Read business days and route costs carefully
PSA’s service page describes turnaround times as estimates that can change with submission volume and capacity. Before counting forward, confirm the timing terms that apply to the actual order. Business days, transport and a submitter’s handling stages belong to different parts of the journey.
For a UK route, compare the quoted grading charge with insured shipping, return delivery and any handling or tax charges. A direct US fee supplies one part of that calculation. Paying for a faster service also leaves the card’s eventual grade unresolved: authentication and condition assessment still have to happen.
PSA · US grading services and estimate terms · checked 4 November 2026
The verdict for your submission
The direction is encouraging: PSA’s reported queue fell from 9.9 million to 6.8 million units. That is roughly 31% smaller since 8 September.
For an existing submission, keep the original service terms and status as your reference. For a new UK route, compare the full delivered cost and applicable business-day estimate. Value Bulk still has no announced reopening date in the latest update.
Our calculation: (9.9 − 6.8) ÷ 9.9 = 31.3%, rounded to 31%. Source: PSA’s dated backlog readings. Next check: a new backlog update or an actual Bulk reopening announcement.
Alex Koh
Collector and creator of BuyTrigger.Cards.