PSA Grading Frankfurt: what the new PSA Germany headquarters means for collectors
Thomas KovacsLast updated: 3 June 2026 approx. 5 min read
The European market for trading cards is in upheaval and is facing a real turning point for card collectors. For the first time an official PSA grading centre is coming directly to Germany.
After some speculation within the community, Frankfurt has now been officially confirmed as the location. In this article you will learn what the new European centre means for you as a collector and how the grading process will change in future.
The most important points first:
- PSA is expected to start the soft launch of its first grading operation in Frankfurt from 1 July – at present, submissions to PSA have to be sent to the USA or to Canada. (The official launch date may differ if PSA makes changes at short notice)
- A PSA grading location in Germany has several advantages for collectors, such as shorter turnaround times, easier submissions and a lower shipping risk.
- A European PSA location will probably lead to higher market activity and greater competition for certain Pokémon cards.
- As an official PSA Dealer, AMAZINGTOYS® sends your trading cards for grading directly to the new PSA headquarters in Frankfurt from 1 July.
PSA Grading Frankfurt: the first European PSA location
The world's most renowned grading company, PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator), is expected to open its first location in Europe from 1 July 2026.
The planned centre is intended to give European collectors faster, more reliable and more cost-efficient access to PSA's globally established services.
Thanks to its central position in the European transport network, Frankfurt is becoming an important hub for the growing European collectibles market. Among other things, this brings the following advantages for enthusiastic Pokémon card collectors:
- Shorter transport routes offer more security, especially for high-priced trading cards.
- Better access to PSA grading in Europe means that more collectors have their cards graded, which increases the number of PSA-graded cards, market liquidity and trading within Europe, and sustainably strengthens the entire European trading card market.
As an official PSA dealer, AMAZINGTOYS® will send your trading cards for grading directly to the new PSA centre in Frankfurt from 1 July. This means you will receive your graded cards in the familiar PSA quality in future, and possibly with shorter processing times.
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How the grading process works at AMAZINGTOYS® & PSA Frankfurt
Until now PSA has carried out grading only in the USA and Canada. For European collectors the process is therefore more involved: cards are collected through intermediaries, sent abroad and returned after grading.
Despite support with forms, insurance and customs, problems often arise. That is why at AMAZINGTOYS® we have deliberately made the grading process as simple and as fast as possible.
Step 1: fill in the grading form
- Download the grading form and fill it in completely
- Print the completed form twice in landscape format on DIN A4
- Send the form by email to grading@AMAZINGTOYS®.ch
Step 2: create an AMAZINGTOYS®.ch account
- Create a free AMAZINGTOYS®.ch account
- This step is not needed if you already have an account
Step 3: pack the cards correctly
- First place every card in a Just Sleeves soft sleeve
- Then put every card into a Card Saver size 1
- Make sure that the order of the cards matches the grading form
- Also print two copies of the completed form
Step 4: hand in the cards at the AMAZINGTOYS® Store
- Bring your cards and the two grading forms to the AMAZINGTOYS® Store at Zweierstrasse 123, 8003 Zürich
- Grading costs CHF 70.00 per card, plus possible PSA upcharges
- For cards that are not properly prepared we charge a surcharge of CHF 2.50 per card
Step 5: status & return
- As soon as your cards come back from PSA, we will inform you by email
- Collection is easy at the AMAZINGTOYS® Store during opening hours
- The current processing time at PSA is approx. 90–150 calendar days
- You can check the status of your PSA submission online at any time
PSA Grading Switzerland: service for Pokémon and other cards
- Globally recognised grading to determine the value of your cards
- Secure and in person at our AMAZINGTOYS® Store in Zurich
- CHF 125.00 per TCG card (plus any upcharges from PSA)
What could change for retailers with a PSA Grading Frankfurt?
Alongside the advantages and disadvantages already discussed, such as a possible time saving for collectors, a PSA Grading Frankfurt could have a noticeable impact on retailers and card shops, particularly in the early phase.
According to PSA, official PSA dealers will receive early access to the new processes in Germany. That brings several advantages for card shops in Germany, Switzerland and the whole of Europe.
PSA Grading Frankfurt – advantages for card shops:
- Possibly faster handling and shorter processing times for customer orders
- More efficient handling of bulk submissions
For smaller retailers in particular this creates a potential competitive advantage, because they can offer their customers a faster and more straightforward PSA service.
A PSA Grading Frankfurt primarily brings considerable advantages, but it could also lead to a few hurdles.
- Greater competition: as the number of PSA submissions in Europe rises, competition for sought-after cards increases, because more collectors have the same cards graded, which makes a PSA 10 grading in particular harder to achieve and makes the market more competitive overall.
- Longer waiting times: despite the location advantage, high demand and limited capacity can lead to longer processing times, especially in the early phase, which partly offsets the expected time saving and means collectors should choose their submissions more carefully.
Which Pokémon cards benefit most from the PSA Grading Frankfurt?
The cards that benefit most are those that already have high demand and limited availability.
These include above all:
- limited promos
- Japanese special sets
- early SAR and alternate art releases
These cards are often in circulation only in small numbers and gain additional trust and market value through professional grading.
Cards with a low print run are also among the clear winners of the new PSA location. Thanks to better access to grading in Europe, such rarities are submitted more often, which further strengthens their standing in the collectors' market.
Cards in very good condition are also particularly relevant, above all:
- perfect or almost perfect centering
- flawless surface quality
Here PSA grading is decisive for top grades such as PSA 10 and therefore directly for the market value.
Classic mass-produced items with high print runs benefit less. They tend to lose exclusivity more quickly as pop reports rise, because more copies are graded and brought onto the market. Overall, the focus is therefore shifting more towards high-quality, rare and visually perfect cards.
Conclusion: PSA Grading Frankfurt could revolutionise the European collectors' market
The announcement of a PSA centre in Frankfurt brings many changes that are creating anticipation among collectors and retailers alike. The PSA contact point in the centre of Europe marks one of the most important steps for the European card collecting market in recent years.
For collectors this means considerably shorter processing times, less bureaucratic effort and a lower shipping risk. At the same time a PSA Grading Frankfurt strengthens the entire collectors' market in Europe, which can lead to higher market activity, but in the long term also to more competition.
Whether and how much will be graded in Germany in future will soon become clear. The topic will certainly stay with collectors, retailers and us for a while yet. We will keep you up to date!
FAQ: why is a PSA Grading Frankfurt so important for card collectors?
Frankfurt lies at the heart of Europe and is a logistics hub when it comes to international trade.
Collectors benefit from shorter processing times, from simpler submission thanks to the end of customs forms and from more security thanks to shorter transport routes.
PSA starts on 1 July with a soft launch exclusively for trade partners. Direct customer submissions are to be accepted at the end of the summer.
With the new PSA location in Frankfurt, more cards overall are likely to be submitted. As the number of submissions rises, so does the competition for top grades such as PSA 10.
The photo is an actual photo of the item — you will receive exactly these two PSA cards shown in the photo. Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering and other trading cards can be a very valuable investment — PSA graded cards are especially popular with collectors. Gem Mint 10 is the best grade a card can receive. The higher the grade, the more valuable the corresponding card. PSA is an independent company that grades sports cards, trading cards and collectibles for condition and quality, then seals them in hard plastic.
Glurak 4/102 - 1st Edition Base Set - Holo - PSA 5 EX Language: German The photo is an actual photo of the item; you will receive exactly this PSA card as shown in the picture. Pokémon cards can also be a highly valuable investment; PSA-graded cards are especially interesting for collectors. The Gem Mint 10 grade is the best a card can receive. The higher the grade, the more valuable the corresponding cards. PSA is an independent company that grades sports cards, trading cards and other collectibles according to their condition and quality and then seals them in hard plastic.
Glurak 4/102 - 1st Edition Base Set - Holo - PSA 8 NM-MT Language: German The photo is an actual photo of the item; you will receive exactly this PSA card as shown in the picture. Pokémon cards can also be a highly valuable investment; PSA-graded cards are especially interesting for collectors. The Gem Mint 10 grade is the best a card can receive. The higher the grade, the more valuable the corresponding cards. PSA is an independent company that grades sports cards, trading cards and other collectibles according to their condition and quality and then seals them in hard plastic.
The photo is an actual photo of the item – you will receive exactly this PSA card as shown in the photo.Pokémon, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering and other trading cards can be a very valuable investment. PSA graded cards are especially sought after by collectors. Gem Mint 10 is the highest grade a card can receive. The higher the grade, the more valuable the card. PSA is an independent company that evaluates sports cards, trading cards and collectibles based on their condition and quality, then encases them in hard plastic.
The photo is an actual photo of the item – you will receive exactly this PSA card as shown in the photo.Pokémon, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering and other trading cards can be a very valuable investment. PSA graded cards are especially sought after by collectors. Gem Mint 10 is the highest grade a card can receive. The higher the grade, the more valuable the card. PSA is an independent company that evaluates sports cards, trading cards and collectibles based on their condition and quality, then encases them in hard plastic.
The photo is an actual photo of the item – you will receive exactly this PSA card as shown in the photo.Pokémon, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering and other trading cards can be a very valuable investment. PSA graded cards are especially sought after by collectors. Gem Mint 10 is the highest grade a card can receive. The higher the grade, the more valuable the card. PSA is an independent company that evaluates sports cards, trading cards and collectibles based on their condition and quality, then encases them in hard plastic.
The photo is an actual photo of the item – you will receive exactly this PSA card as shown in the photo.Pokémon, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering and other trading cards can be a very valuable investment. PSA graded cards are especially sought after by collectors. Gem Mint 10 is the highest grade a card can receive. The higher the grade, the more valuable the card. PSA is an independent company that evaluates sports cards, trading cards and collectibles based on their condition and quality, then encases them in hard plastic.
The photo is an actual photo of the item – you will receive exactly this PSA card as shown in the photo.Pokémon, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering and other trading cards can be a very valuable investment. PSA graded cards are especially sought after by collectors. Gem Mint 10 is the highest grade a card can receive. The higher the grade, the more valuable the card. PSA is an independent company that evaluates sports cards, trading cards and collectibles based on their condition and quality, then encases them in hard plastic.
The photo is an actual photo of the item – you will receive exactly this PSA card as shown in the photo.Pokémon, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering and other trading cards can be a very valuable investment. PSA graded cards are especially sought after by collectors. Gem Mint 10 is the highest grade a card can receive. The higher the grade, the more valuable the card. PSA is an independent company that evaluates sports cards, trading cards and collectibles based on their condition and quality, then encases them in hard plastic.
The photo is an actual photo of the item – you will receive exactly this PSA card as shown in the photo.Pokémon, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering and other trading cards can be a very valuable investment. PSA graded cards are especially sought after by collectors. Gem Mint 10 is the highest grade a card can receive. The higher the grade, the more valuable the card. PSA is an independent company that evaluates sports cards, trading cards and collectibles based on their condition and quality, then encases them in hard plastic.
The photo is an actual photo of the item – you will receive exactly this PSA card as shown in the photo.Pokémon, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering and other trading cards can be a very valuable investment. PSA graded cards are especially sought after by collectors. Gem Mint 10 is the highest grade a card can receive. The higher the grade, the more valuable the card. PSA is an independent company that evaluates sports cards, trading cards and collectibles based on their condition and quality, then encases them in hard plastic.
The photo is an actual photo of the item – you will receive exactly this PSA card as shown in the photo.Pokémon, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering and other trading cards can be a very valuable investment. PSA graded cards are especially sought after by collectors. Gem Mint 10 is the highest grade a card can receive. The higher the grade, the more valuable the card. PSA is an independent company that evaluates sports cards, trading cards and collectibles based on their condition and quality, then encases them in hard plastic.