The count is now 2.2 million units above the level PSA has tied to reopening its paused Value service tiers.
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PSA Backlog Update
- What happened: PSA reported that its active grading backlog fell to 7.2 million units, down from 8.2 million two weeks earlier.
- Key date: October 20, 2026 is the date of the latest count. The previous figure was recorded on October 6.
- Why it matters: The drop moves PSA closer to its stated 5 million unit target, the milestone it has linked to bringing back the paused Value tiers.
What PSA Has Said About Reopening
PSA posts the backlog numbers on its public tracker, and the October 20 figure is a drop of 1 million units in 14 days. The company says it will reopen services in phases, starting with shorter turnaround times and pricing meant to balance demand with grading capacity. No reopening dates have been announced for the paused tiers. PSA-graded cards have also made headlines on the shipping side, as in our report on nearly $1 million in PSA-graded cards stolen from a FedEx truck.
As we work through the backlog, existing orders will be prioritized ahead of new submissions.
PSA
PSA paused the lower-priced Value tiers in May 2026 and said at the time that they would return based on operational milestones, not a fixed date. The 5 million unit backlog is the target it named. Collectors with cards already headed to PSA often sleeve them in semi-rigid holders like 3″X4″ Clear Semi-Rigid Card Saver 1 (50-Count).
What It Means for Submitters
For now, the paused tiers remain closed, so collectors planning future submissions are working with whatever service levels PSA currently offers. Anyone getting cards ready can prep them in advance with holders such as Pro Safe Semi-Rigid Card Holders (50-Pack), which are listed for grading submission.
The Number to Watch
A million units in two weeks is real progress, but the 5 million mark is the figure that decides when the Value tiers return. At 7.2 million, the backlog still has 2.2 million units to clear before PSA reaches its own target.
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