On May 14, PSA announced a major $200 million infrastructure investment along with revised turnaround times meant to give collectors a more realistic view of processing schedules. Instead of easing pressure, that announcement triggered another rapid wave of submissions, pushing volume up 20% and adding 1.6 million cards to a backlog now nearing 10 million units.
Even though the company’s daily grading output has never been higher — roughly five times its 2021 capacity — continuing to accept submissions at this pace risked further straining operations and delaying orders already in the pipeline.
What Changes on June 2, 2026
To redirect resources toward clearing the existing backlog, PSA outlined the following adjustments:
- Tiers temporarily paused: Value Bulk, Value, Value Plus, and Value Max will stop accepting new submissions. Orders already submitted will continue to be processed under their original turnaround commitments.
- Tiers remaining open: Regular, Express, Super Express, and Walk-Through and above will keep operating as usual.
- Regular service adjustment: because the near-10-million backlog affects the entire pipeline, from intake to shipping, estimated turnaround for Regular service will temporarily extend to 40–50 days, and 50–60 days for dual-service authentication.
Since the higher tiers make up a comparatively small share of overall volume, keeping them open shouldn’t slow progress on reducing the backlog.
When Will Value Tiers Return?
According to PSA, the pause is tied to operational milestones rather than a fixed calendar date. The company’s stated goal is to bring the backlog down to 5 million cards, a target it expects to reach in about four months.
To keep the process transparent, PSA plans to publish a monthly Backlog Tracker on the announcement page, giving collectors visibility into the same figures its leadership team monitors internally.
Collectors Club Membership Extensions
Recognizing that pausing Value Bulk removes a key benefit of Collectors Club membership, PSA said any membership that was active on May 14, 2026, and remains active will be extended for free for the entire duration of the pause on that tier. Members can verify their status in the Membership section of their account.
The $200 Million Investment Continues
PSA frames the pause as a structural move rather than a retreat, stating that its $200 million capital commitment remains fully funded and actively being deployed. The stated goal is to give newly upgraded facilities, machine-learning-driven logistics, and new staff the room needed to reach full efficiency before reopening the paused tiers.