Last Updated: April 22, 2026
These PSA Submission Services Terms and Conditions (the “PSA Terms”) govern the services provided by Collectors Universe, Inc. and Collectors Universe (Canada) Limited (collectively, “We” or “PSA”) under the PSA, Professional Sports Authenticator, PSA/DNA Authentication Services, and related brands in connection with items submitted to PSA, including:
the authentication, grading, and encapsulation of cards, packs, tickets, coins, pins, comics, magazines, and other collectibles (the “PSA Grading Services”); and
the authentication, grading, certification (including photo matching, if applicable), and/or encapsulation of autographs, photographs, bats, gloves, and other memorabilia items (the “PSA Authentication Services”) (collectively with the PSA Grading Services, the “PSA Services”).
The PSA Services are additionally subject to all applicable service fees, prices, rates, and charges posted by PSA on its website psacard.com and/or submission forms; and the Collectors User Agreement (“User Agreement”), incorporated herein by this reference (collectively, the “Terms”).
PRIOR TO USING ANY PSA SERVICES, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THE TERMS. As part of making a submission to PSA, you must read and affirmatively agree to these PSA Terms to complete an order. You agree to abide by and to be bound by these Terms and further agree that PSA is entitled to rely upon and benefit from this agreement, as part of the submission process. If you do not agree to the Terms, then you should not submit any item to PSA or otherwise request or use any PSA Services. Should you object to any of the Terms, or any subsequent modifications thereto, or become dissatisfied with the PSA Services, your sole remedy is to discontinue use of the PSA Services and request return of your item(s), as applicable, in the manner provided in the Terms.
TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, THE USER AGREEMENT CONTAINS A DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ARBITRATION PROVISION (SECTION 17 HERE) THAT GOVERNS HOW CLAIMS YOU AND WE HAVE AGAINST EACH OTHER ARE RESOLVED. READ THE TERMS CAREFULLY BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN: (I) LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND DISCLAIMERS REGARDING RISK OF LOSS AND DAMAGES; AND (II) A PROVISION REQUIRING ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES BETWEEN US, INSTEAD OF CLASS ACTIONS OR JURY TRIALS (which is not applicable to Canadian users).
We reserve the right to update and make changes to the Terms at any time by updating this posting or providing notice to you electronically or as otherwise permitted under applicable law. Updates and changes take effect when we post them, unless we specify an effective date in our notice to you. Your continued access to or use of your Account and the PSA Services after any updates and/or changes indicates your acceptance to the Terms as modified. We may also ask you to acknowledge your acceptance of the Terms through an electronic click-through. It is your responsibility to periodically visit this page and review the Terms for updates.
The PSA Services are subject to the specific terms and conditions provided below, among other Terms. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined below are defined in the User Agreement and incorporated here by this reference.
The PSA Services
1. Eligibility for Submission. To use the PSA Grading Services, you must (a) have a valid and active Collectors Account (“Account”) and have affirmatively agreed to the Collectors User Agreement and (b) complete in full the PSA Online Submission process, including selection of the applicable services, grading submission type and label placement (as applicable). Eligible customers may create a Collectors Account here. To use the PSA Authentication Services, you must fill out and sign the applicable submission form, which may be found here, and agree to the terms and conditions therein, including in relation to any applicable fees, prices, rates, and charges, which will be deemed to constitute “Terms” hereunder. Only authorized dealers who have completed and signed a PSA Dealer Application and are appointed by PSA as a PSA dealer are authorized to submit items to PSA for PSA Services to be performed on behalf of individuals, subject to the terms of the PSA Dealer Agreement. Submissions on behalf of group submitters or on behalf of other dealers are expressly prohibited.
Each person may only have a single Collectors Account. If your Collectors Account is canceled, disabled, blocked, or otherwise restricted by PSA or its affiliate(s), you may not submit it under another account. Any account created by or on behalf of a person whose account was previously restricted is invalid. PSA reserves the right to refuse to perform one or more PSA Services for anyone, including refusing service to any person associated with a duplicate or otherwise invalid Collectors Account.
Each order submitted for PSA Services may only include a single service type (e.g., Grading, Crossover, Review, or Reholder) and item type (e.g., Trading Cards, Tickets, Comics, Autographs, or Packs). If a submission is received for mixed services or item types, PSA may, without notification, separate the items for processing according to PSA submission requirements. Multiple orders submitted in consolidated packaging will be shipped back to you separately at completion. If your submission is not in conformity with the Terms or PSA's written submission instructions, PSA reserves the right to (a) reject and return the item submitted by you at your risk and expense (as provided in these Terms); or (b) process the submission and correct any non-conformity (including to reflect its current service and shipping prices) without notice to you.
2. Service Levels and Maximum Insured Value. PSA offers various estimated turnaround time and pricing combinations (“Service Levels”) depending on the type of item(s) you submit. Any Service Levels stated on the PSA website or in any applicable paper submission form are provided for the convenience of our customers only. Orders that require special handling or that have payment or shipping issues may experience delays from the published Service Levels. PSA may offer certain Service Levels exclusively to subscribers of a PSA membership program according to the terms of such program (see Section 20). The Service Level you select determines the Maximum Insured Value applicable to your submitted items, unless you indicate an alternative Maximum Insured Value. As further described in Section 10, “Maximum Insured Value” (which may be referred to as “Declared Value” on certain submission forms) refers to the maximum compensation you can receive for actual damage or loss sustained to a collectible while in PSA’s possession. Therefore, you should select a Service Level with a Maximum Insured Value greater than your estimate of the post-grading fair market value of each item in your order. For additional information regarding Maximum Insured Value, refer to the FAQ on PSA's website at https://www.psacard.com/support/faq#maxinsuredvalue.
If PSA in its sole discretion determines, at any point in the process, that an item you submitted has a fair market value exceeding the Maximum Insured Value of your chosen Service Level, PSA reserves the right to require you to pay an adjusted grading fee at a Service Level which has a Maximum Insured Value in excess of the item’s fair market value as determined by PSA. If you refuse or are unable to pay PSA for the adjusted Service Level fee, then PSA will return your submitted item to you unprocessed at your cost, and you will be charged for the Service Level at which you submitted the item.
3. Turnaround Times. Any time frame indicated by PSA for completion of Services on a submitted item, including any estimated turnaround time for a Service Level, is an estimate only and is not guaranteed. Return times are based on when your package arrives at PSA, and may be impacted at any time by PSA's submission volume, capacity, and other relevant circumstances. Items submitted in-person (e.g., at a show or drop-off event) are not guaranteed to be available for in-person pickup by the end of the show / event. PSA will endeavor to provide the PSA Services within the time frame, if any, offered as part of the PSA Services at the requested Service Level. HOWEVER, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW AND WITHOUT LIMITING THE TERMS OF THE USER AGREEMENT, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT PSA WILL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER TO YOU OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DAMAGES (DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL) DUE TO PSA'S FAILURE TO GRADE OR AUTHENTICATE ANY ITEMS WITHIN ANY SPECIFIC TIME FRAME. ALL DAYS REFERENCED IN THESE TERMS OR WITH THE PSA SERVICES REFER TO BUSINESS DAYS (UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED).
Customers may not contact PSA regarding results before PSA returns your submitted items or makes your submission results available on the PSA website (accessible via a valid Collectors Account login). Absolutely no authentication or grading results will be given via email, phone, or our support portal.
4. Eligible Items and Services.
(a) In General. PSA will provide the PSA Services on items submitted to it by you in accordance with the applicable PSA authentication, grading, and/or certification standards in effect at that time. PSA may from time to time change the item types eligible for submission, the types of service offered, and the specific elements of each PSA Service. The most up-to-date descriptions of the PSA Services currently offered may be found athttps://www.psacard.com/services and psacard.com/en-CA/services; and, with regard to the specific PSA Grading Services available to you, the submission flow (including tooltips and linked FAQs).
PSA will not grade items which bear evidence of trimming, recoloring, restoration, or any other form of alteration or tampering, or that are of questionable authenticity, and you agree not to knowingly submit any such items. Encapsulated items (e.g., those submitted for Review or Reholder services) in holders that are open, unsealed, or otherwise showing evidence of tampering, fraud or damage, are subject to new authentication and grading, and may be deemed inauthentic or receive a lower grade. PSA may refuse to authenticate, grade, re-encapsulate, or certify items that are in its opinion critically damaged and/or too fragile, or may alternatively require that you release PSA completely from all liability whatsoever with regard to such items prior to performing the services by signing a Release of Claims Agreement.
(b) Autograph Services. PSA may not authenticate or certify autographed items consisting of (1) autographs NOT listed on the PSA Autograph Pricing Schedule; (2) autographs that are damaged and/or illegible; or (3) autographed items exceeding PSA’s weight restrictions. PSA may refuse to authenticate or certify items submitted in irregular containers such as binders or frames, and in any case is not responsible for damage caused in the course of removing an item from such containers. PSA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to refuse to authenticate or certify any item, including any submitted item damaged beyond recognition.
(c) PSA Reholder Service. Items that are currently encapsulated in a PSA holder are eligible for the Reholder Service. Generally, an eligible item submitted for Reholder will not be re-graded or examined for authenticity. Instead, the item will be inspected to determine if the PSA holder and label are authentic, to confirm the integrity of the PSA holder and label, and to ensure the information on the label remains accurate. An item must pass all elements of this inspection to be re-encapsulated at the same authenticity and grade noted on the submitted label.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding paragraph, PSA may not complete the Reholder service if, in its opinion: (1) the PSA case or label shows signs of unsealing or tampering, (2) the PSA case is fractured over or near the item itself, (3) the item’s current condition has changed, such that it is inconsistent with the prior grade (e.g., the item has suffered fading due to sunlight exposure since the initial grading), or (4) the card or some element thereof (e.g., a serial number or stamp) is a known subject of counterfeiting. BY SUBMITTING AN ITEM FOR THE REHOLDER SERVICE, YOU EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTAND, AND AGREE THAT PSA MAY IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES EXAMINE THE ITEM RAW WITHOUT REGARD FOR ANY PRIOR GRADE OR FINDING OF AUTHENTICITY, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A LOWER GRADE. Consistent with Section 12(f), it is possible that a card that you submit for Reholder may ultimately be returned to you only after PSA has changed the grade/label as appropriate or removed the item from its holder (i.e., returned raw).
5. General Shipping Requirements. You agree (a) to pack and ship each item you submit to PSA in strict accordance with all applicable submission instructions and requirements (including without limitation those in your Submission Form, the PSA Shipping Guide at https://www.psacard.com/info/shipguide, and the shipping carrier’s site (e.g., Fedex’s at https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/packing/how-to-pack.html)); and (b) to be charged one or more processing fees for non-conforming packaging of any item, order, or group of orders, as disclosed in the Shipping Guide. For the avoidance of doubt, “non-conforming packaging” includes, but is not limited to, submission of items in incorrect materials (e.g., rigid “toploader” sleeves), inclusion of extraneous materials (e.g., pull tabs or stickers), submission of items in a different order than that on the Submission Form, and any other deviation from the Shipping Guide instructions published at psacard.com at the time you submit your order.
Carriers to whom you entrust your inbound items do not represent and do not act as an agent of PSA. PSA shall have no liability whatsoever for (i) any damage to any item while in transit to PSA, (ii) any damage caused as a result of packing that does not strictly conform to our written specifications (found at https://www.psacard.com/info/shipguide) (including such damage occurring in the course of unpacking), or (iii) any damage to or loss of extraneous objects or packaging (e.g., binders, frames, protective plastic, cardboard) included with a submitted item. Regardless of the method of transportation you utilize for delivery of your item(s) to PSA, you bear the sole cost and risk of: (A) all loss, damage, theft, delay, or destruction in connection with the shipment and delivery of any item(s) to PSA (even if PSA provides a shipping label for shipment of the item(s)); (B) obtaining or foregoing insurance coverage on your item while in transit; and (C) the expense of the delivery and shipment of the item(s). PSA bears no responsibility for any item until that specific item has been unpacked, identified, and confirmed received (e.g., by having the “Order Prep” status in PSA’s tracker); the carrier’s completion of delivery shall have no effect on PSA’s responsibility, even if PSA signed for the package. For return shipment following completion of PSA Services or upon rejection of an item, you may at your option: (x) have PSA ship and insure the applicable item and charge you for such insurance, (y) obtain your own insurance, or (z) ship through your own shipping account, which means PSA will not insure your outbound package. With respect to any item insured by PSA for return shipment, the provisions of Section 10 shall apply.
6. Additional Terms for PSA Inbound Shipping Program; Insured Shipping.
(a) Any inbound shipping option made available to you (including insured and non-insured shipping options) remains subject to all of the General Shipping Requirements in Section 5, including but not limited to the PSA submission instructions and requirements referenced there. You will receive a digital QR code to ship your package via FedEx to PSA. Your package must be taken to a physical FedEx location for drop off, scanning, and to obtain a receipt. IMPORTANT: shipping and carrier services options are at all times being provided exclusively by FedEx, never PSA. You understand that those services are being provided to you by FedEx under an arrangement between you and FedEx. By utilizing this service, you agree to accept financial responsibility for the inbound shipping charges as shown and agreed. To understand FedEx’s applicable terms and conditions, rules and requirements, and packaging guidelines, please visit https://www.fedex.com.
(b) As it relates to any inbound insured shipping option made available to you, you explicitly agree and understand that such insured shipping option is provided by independent third parties, not by Collectors. Collectors does not underwrite insurance, make coverage determinations, adjust or pay claims, or guarantee any of the products or services offered by such third parties. Collectors is not an insurer, broker, or insurance producer with respect to any such inbound coverage. Any inbound insurance protection, if elected, is offered under a shipper’s interest policy administered by Cabrella, LLC (the "Insurance Policy"), a licensed insurance producer. If you elect protection for your shipment, it will be insured under the Insurance Policy subject to its terms and conditions, and any resulting claim payment will be directed to you as a loss payee. A summary regarding the inbound insured shipping options is made available in Cabrella’s Insurance Information Summary and Terms and Conditions. All insurance-related information is provided by our licensed partner(s). Insurance coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions or on all shipments. Any claim relating to an insured shipment must be submitted directly through Cabrella’s designated claims process, available here.
For the avoidance of doubt, and as set forth in section 5 above, PSA does not assume possession, custody, or control of any item, and assumes no liability under Section 10, until the package has been unpacked, identified, and confirmed received in PSA’s tracker. Coverage under the Insurance Policy does not expand PSA’s responsibility for any period before that time.
7. Return and Inspection of Submitted Items. If you elect to have your items returned to you after processing, PSA will generally ship them to you via third-party carrier, signature required. PSA may alternatively offer you the option to pick up your items. If you do not retrieve your item(s) during the designated pick-up period (e.g., the duration of a show or event), PSA will ship them back to you at your expense. However, PSA will waive such charge(s) if PSA’s delay is the sole reason why you could not personally retrieve your item(s). You agree to promptly report to PSA any issues with (a) your submitted items upon receipt and (b) any anticipated items or packages not received. You agree to waive all claims against PSA (including, but not limited to, claims under Section 10 of these Terms) arising from any issue that is not timely reported as described below. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, PSA’s determination as to whether there exists any damage, discrepancy, or error shall be final and binding. If you elect to have your item transferred to the PSA Vault, the PSA Vault Terms of Service also apply.
(a) Upon receipt of your return shipment(s), you must promptly and carefully inspect all submitted items, certification labels, associated certificates or letters of authentication, and other applicable submission-related documents, and report any damage, discrepancy, or errors to PSA in writing within five (5) calendar days of receipt. Your duty to inspect and report extends to documents and images which we deliver to you electronically (including by posting to the PSA website), and items which you elect to transfer to the PSA Vault. You may review card images and verify certifications for paid, processed orders (including those sent to the PSA Vault) directly on your PSA “Orders” page or at https://www.psacard.com/cert. For any item with a label discrepancy or error, you agree to immediately submit a Label Correction Request to the Customer Request Center and return, at PSA’s expense, such incorrectly described item to PSA for correction of the error(s). You further agree to indemnify and hold harmless PSA and its affiliates against all losses and/or claims (including attorney’s fees) caused by the circulation, marketing, and/or sale of a mislabeled item.
(b) If you do not receive your return packages or any items anticipated therein, you must report the missing item(s) to PSA within seventeen (17) calendar days of the original estimated date of delivery or, if no such estimated date was provided, thirty (30) calendar days from the date PSA shipped your return package. However, if your items are returned to PSA (including because no one was available to sign for the package at your stated mailing address), you must additionally arrange to receive your items, including by confirming your delivery address and authorizing payment for any additional shipping attempts, within 180 days of PSA’s notice to you. If PSA cannot contact you or you refuse to arrange to receive your items after they remain in PSA’s possession more than 180 days, PSA may deem them abandoned and sell or otherwise dispose of them pursuant to Section 17 of these Terms. You agree that PSA is not responsible for abandoned items.
8. PSA Services Disclaimer. PSA Services (including authentication, grading and certification) involve individual judgments that are subjective and require the exercise of professional opinions, which can change from time to time. Therefore, PSA makes no warranty or representation and shall have no liability whatsoever to you or any third party for any opinion rendered, grade assigned, or statement made (including Grader Notes as defined in Section 23, below) with respect to an item. If you disagree with the results of the PSA Grading Services for your submitted item, you may resubmit the item for review and you will be responsible for the full grading fees and applicable shipping charges. Any Grader Notes PSA may provide are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not meant as exhaustive documentation of the applicable PSA Services.
9. PSA Item Holders. If you break open any PSA holder for an item, you shall immediately return to PSA the PSA certification label and PSA holder. PSA certification labels and holders at all times shall remain the property of PSA. If you come into possession of any PSA holder or label which you have reason to believe is not completely sealed, tampered with, mislabeled, or counterfeit, you shall immediately return such PSA holder or label to PSA. You acknowledge and agree that breaking items out of PSA holders involves the risk of personal injury, including without limitation, possible eye damage, and the risk of damaging the item. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, PSA SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER TO YOU OR ANY OTHER THIRD PARTY FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY OR DAMAGE TO ANY ITEM, OR OTHERWISE, RESULTING FROM THE BREAKING OPEN OF A PSA HOLDER. If any item is removed, inadvertently or intentionally, from its PSA holder, it shall be treated by you and PSA as if it were never graded by PSA, and you acknowledge that such item may no longer qualify for PSA Grading Services. Once submitted, PSA shall have no obligation to assign to a graded item the same grade previously assigned to it, and any Guarantee that may have previously applied to the item while it was in the PSA holder shall no longer apply to it.
Trust and Protection
10. Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Items. PSA will exercise reasonable and ordinary care in handling items submitted for authentication, grading, review, or reholdering. However, if PSA determines, in its sole discretion, that your item submitted to PSA for PSA Services was lost, stolen, or damaged while in the possession or control of PSA, except as otherwise noted in these Terms (see, e.g., Section 18), PSA will compensate you as provided in this Section 10 based on the degree of damage or loss, up to the fair market value of the item at the time of loss as determined by PSA standard procedures. For the avoidance of doubt, PSA’s “possession or control” does not include the period while an item is in transit to PSA, even if you procured shipping services through PSA or insurance through Cabrella (see also Section 6).
Regardless of the fair market value of your item, the actual compensation you are eligible to receive from PSA will not exceed the Maximum Insured Value of the applicable Service Level. IN NO EVENT SHALL PSA’S TOTAL LIABILITY, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE ACTIVE OR PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE OF PSA OR OTHERWISE, EXCEED THE LESSER OF THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OR THE MAXIMUM INSURED VALUE OF THE ITEM. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT, IN OUR SOLE DISCRETION, TO DETERMINE THE FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR AN ITEM BY ANY MEANS AS WE MAY DETERMINE. PSA may elect, depending on the condition of a damaged item, to either (a) return the item to you and compensate you for the reduction in value due to damage, or (b) retain the item and pay the maximum liability available under this section.
Please be aware such compensation shall be your sole and exclusive remedy and our entire liability for any loss or damage to your item and/or, if applicable, any associated certificates or letters, while in the custody and control of PSA, and is subject to your irrevocable release and discharge of PSA and its affiliates, on your behalf and on behalf of anyone who may claim through or for you, from any liability for loss or damage to the item, including due to the gross negligence of PSA or its agents and contractors. You must sign PSA’s standard Release of Claims Agreement as a condition of payment. PSA reserves the right to withhold any claim settlements, credits, or other amounts payable to you if you have outstanding amounts payable to PSA, and PSA may discount such amounts payable to PSA from any amount payable to you.
PSA has and will have no liability whatsoever to you for any loss or damage of any item occurring while such item is not in the custody or control of PSA, including, without limitation, after such item is transferred to the custody or control of a third party, including another facility, owner, agent, dealer, group submitter, or carrier, as identified by you, or released for return to you. PSA will not be liable or responsible for any consequential, incidental, special, or indirect damages, including, without limitation, for any intrinsic or sentimental value of an item.
If an item is reported lost or stolen by the owner or transport carrier, PSA may request a police report or carrier claim as proof of loss in order to deactivate the certification numbers displayed on our website (www.PSAcard.com/cert/). If you possess a deactivated cert, please contact our Customer Care team for direction.
11. Your Representations and Authorization. By submitting an item, you represent and warrant that (a) the information stated on the submission form and any pictures or images of the item(s), including, without limitation, the description and quality of each item, the condition of the item, and the estimated fair market value indicated by your Service Level selection are current, truthful and accurate and (b) the item is free and clear of any liens, security interests, or encumbrances of any kind. If you are submitting any items that belong to a third party, you represent and warrant that you are authorized to submit the items on behalf of that third party, subject to these terms. You agree to provide to PSA written confirmation of such authorization at any time upon our request.
12. Doctored and Inauthentic Items; Fraud Prevention and Investigation.
(a) You represent and warrant that any item submitted for any PSA Service is genuine and you have no knowledge and no reasonable basis to believe that the item is a “Doctored” item. You affirm your obligations with respect to Doctored items set forth in these Terms. For purposes of these Terms, “Doctor,” “Doctored” or “Doctoring” means the alteration of the appearance of an item by things such as, but not limited to, trimming, re-coloring, bleaching, power erasing, cleaning, waxing, re-backing or any other form of restoration used to enhance the appearance, condition or content of an item.
(b) You agree that you will not Doctor items or participate in any way in Doctoring items or submitting any items to PSA for the performance of any PSA Services which you know or have reason to believe have been Doctored in any way, and acknowledge that the determination as to whether an item should be authenticated or graded shall be made solely by PSA in accordance with its standards. You acknowledge that detecting Doctored items is very difficult. You acknowledge that PSA will not authenticate or grade items which, in the judgment of PSA, bear evidence of Doctoring. However, because the determination by PSA to reject such Doctored items will require a review by PSA’s personnel, you will be required to remit, as set forth herein, the standard fee for any such Doctored items that are submitted to PSA. You acknowledge that Doctoring is wrongful and inappropriate activity which is harmful to PSA, and all of your obligations in this Section 12 shall survive termination of these PSA Terms.
(c) You acknowledge that PSA will not perform any PSA Services for counterfeit or altered items, or forged autographs. However, because the determination by PSA to reject such counterfeit items will require a review by PSA’s personnel, you will be required to remit, as set forth herein, the standard fee for any such items that are submitted to PSA. Such items will not be placed in a PSA holder. Both submitted items and any autographs thereon must be authentic for PSA to perform the PSA Authentication Services or combination item grading and autograph authentication “dual service” under the PSA Grading Services. If an authentic but altered item is submitted under “dual service” with an authentic autograph, PSA may perform the PSA Services as requested but label the item “Authentic Altered” in lieu of assigning the item a grade. The final determination as to whether and how to process and encapsulate a partially inauthentic or altered item is at PSA's sole discretion.
(d) You agree that PSA would suffer irreparable damages if you were to engage in Doctoring of any item and that PSA is entitled to not only compensatory damages but also preliminary and final injunctive relief for any breach of your obligation not to Doctor items or to submit Doctored items to PSA in violation of your obligations hereunder.
(e) You acknowledge that PSA will not assign a numerical grade to, and may choose not to authenticate, any Doctored Item or item which, in the judgment of PSA, bears evidence of harsh cleaning, artificial toning, damaged surfaces, altered surfaces, foreign substances, or other similar impairments, or appears to be of questionable authenticity. However, because the determination by PSA to reject such impaired items will require a review by PSA’s personnel, PSA will not refund the standard fee for any such items that are submitted to PSA.
(f) You agree that, if PSA determines that an encapsulated item in its possession (whether for PSA Services, corrections, Guarantee claims, or any other circumstance) is inauthentic, incorrectly graded, altered, or damaged in its holder, PSA may remove the item from its holder, change the grade/label as it deems appropriate, and/or issue any applicable supplemental letters that void and clarify any previously issued letters of authenticity. PSA will not in any circumstances return an overgraded item with a label reflecting the originally assigned PSA grade to the extent that PSA has determined that the grade is incorrect. Nor will PSA return any item in a PSA holder to the extent that PSA has determined that the item is inauthentic.
(g) You acknowledge that PSA will not perform PSA Services for certain items. PSA RESERVES THE RIGHT, AT ITS SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION, TO REJECT ANY ITEM SUBMITTED BY YOU AND NOT TO PERFORM ANY PSA SERVICES FOR SUCH ITEM. The refund of any fee for such a rejected item will be in PSA’s sole discretion based on the circumstances. Such items will not be placed in a PSA holder.
(h) You agree that PSA may take the following measures regarding any submitted item that (i) is in a PSA holder which has been opened or otherwise tampered with since being sealed, (ii) is in a counterfeit holder or has a tampered or counterfeit label, or (iii) is a counterfeit item. You further agree to immediately notify PSA if you have reason to believe any such item(s) are included with your submission. If such item is in a PSA holder which is counterfeit or has been tampered, PSA may remove such item from the counterfeit or compromised holder, confiscate the holder, and return the item to you (and such item shall not be subject to the Guarantee (as defined above)). If such an item is counterfeit, PSA may (i) remove such item from the PSA holder and (ii) take any action with respect to such item required by applicable law, including, but not limited to, retaining such item for an indefinite period of time or turning it over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.
(i) You authorize PSA to disclose your identifying information, records of your activities, and other personal information (“Your Information”) to third parties if PSA reasonably believes, in its sole discretion, that such disclosure may prevent or mitigate criminal activity or fraud. You further acknowledge and agree that PSA may disclose Your Information to third parties in order to conduct or aid the investigation of suspected criminal activity or fraud. Examples of fraud include, but are not limited to, engaging in or supporting counterfeiting, tampering, sheet cutting, card doctoring and mislabeling.
(j) PSA’s performance of the Services and its obligations under these Terms is subject to all applicable legal requirements. You agree that PSA shall not be liable to you for suspending, delaying, or canceling any PSA Service as necessary to comply with all valid legal requirements, including the terms of any judicial or administrative order regarding an item in its possession.
(k) PSA may apply the provisions of this Section 12 whenever it ascertains that you or your item is subject to them, including after your item has been encapsulated and returned to you. Notwithstanding any other remedy under these Terms, PSA may at any time deactivate the certification label on any previously graded or authenticated item or holder it believes to be Doctored, counterfeit, tampered with, cleaned, altered, or otherwise handled in violation of the Terms.
13. PSA Authenticity and Grade Guarantee. The PSA Authenticity and Grade Guarantee (“Guarantee”) applies to a PSA authenticated and graded card that had an active PSA certification number at the time it was purchased by the person submitting the Guarantee request. You acknowledge and agree that the Guarantee does not apply to, and cannot be utilized by, the original submitter (or the original submitter’s agents, employees, affiliates or representatives, including a group submitter or dealer) of the graded card. PSA reserves the right to investigate the relationship between the person making the PSA Guarantee request and the original submitter. The terms and conditions that govern the Guarantee are further set forth in the Terms and Conditions of the PSA Authenticity and Grade Guarantee.
14. PSA Certification Verification Services. PSA provides access to the PSA Cert Verification Database for the sole purpose of confirming data regarding authenticated and graded items with a particular certification number. You acknowledge and agree that verification of certification numbers via the Database does not eliminate risk. PSA does not view authenticated items listed online and does not warrant or guarantee that any such authenticated item is, in fact, a genuine PSA authenticated item. PSA encourages the purchase of PSA verified collectibles from trustworthy sources.
Payments
15. Payment Terms; Cancellations and Refunds. You agree upon submission of an item to pay all fees, charges, and taxes due and payable for the requested PSA Services. All amounts due must be paid before PSA finishes processing your order, reveals the grades of items in your order, or returns your items to you. Regardless of outcome, all amounts due and/or paid are non-cancellable and non-refundable except as indicated in this section. All fees and charges are applicable regardless of outcome. In the event PSA rejects an item you submitted for PSA Services for any reason, PSA has no obligation to cancel any amounts payable at submission (or refund any amounts paid), as the determination to reject an item requires a review by PSA's graders and authenticators and use of their professional opinion. Occasionally, personnel providing the applicable services for autograph or photograph submissions cannot express an opinion on an item. Such items will be designated as “Inconclusive” and, in PSA’s sole discretion, a refund may be issued in the full amount of the authentication price (less expenses for preparation, release and delivery of the item(s) (which may include a processing, shipping and handling charge as applied by PSA)).
Items are eligible for cancellation only before review by a PSA grader or authenticator has commenced. You may request cancellation of PSA Services by contacting PSA in writing and requesting the return of your submitted item(s). Upon receipt of your request for cancellation of eligible items, and subject to PSA’s then-current operating procedures, we will (a) cancel the applicable PSA Services and prepare to (i) release your item(s) to you or your designated agent or representative or (ii) arrange for delivery of the item(s) via insured delivery to a physical delivery address you specify at your expense, and (b) cancel any amounts payable (or refund any amounts paid) for the PSA Services. IMPORTANT: Return of the items you submitted with a canceled order is conditioned on your payment to PSA for expenses incurred for preparation, release, and delivery (including any processing, shipping and handling charges). Once a PSA grader or authenticator has commenced review of an item, the PSA Services selected for that item cannot be canceled.
If you cause payment for PSA Services to be rescinded after PSA has processed your items and returned them to you, PSA will consider such items unpaid and may at its discretion deactivate their certifications until you remit payment.
16. Payment Authorization. You represent and warrant that you are the cardholder or authorized user of the payment method(s) you provide, and you authorize PSA to (a) charge the payment method for the Final Amount Due (defined below) in connection with your order and (b) store and use the payment method and certain related information for future orders and charges in connection with the authentication and grading services provided by PSA. You further authorize PSA to charge the payment method for any additional service you may select during the PSA Online Submission process or otherwise via the PSA website or applicable paper forms, including, without limitation, PSA Vault services. You understand that the Final Amount Due may be collected via multiple charges, and you authorize PSA to charge the payment method one or more times to collect the full Final Amount Due. You further acknowledge and agree that PSA may validate any payment method you provide to PSA in connection with the Services to ensure that the payment method is valid and that you have sufficient funds to complete the transaction. You understand that your card issuer may hold the authorized amount for a period of time determined by your card issuer.
The “Final Amount Due” is equal to the price of the Service Level you select multiplied by the number of items properly submitted under such Service Level (subject to adjustments as indicated in this paragraph), plus any shipping and inbound insurance fees, taxes, customs, duties, related processing fees, and other applicable fees disclosed under these Terms or during order submission. If at any time PSA determines that the value of any submitted item exceeds the Maximum Insured Value for the Service Level you selected, PSA may adjust the Final Amount Due to reflect the higher price of the Service Level appropriate for each such item (see also Section 2, above). TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YOU AUTHORIZE PSA TO CHARGE THE FINAL AMOUNT DUE TO YOUR PAYMENT METHOD WITHOUT NOTICE TO YOU OR FURTHER AUTHORIZATION BY YOU, SO LONG AS THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF SERVICE LEVEL ADJUSTMENTS DOES NOT EXCEED (1) FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500) OR (2) A LESSER AMOUNT DISCLOSED TO YOU DURING ORDER SUBMISSION. You further authorize PSA to apply one or more separate charge(s) to your payment method for taxes, duties, and similar fees incurred by PSA in relation to your order, even after PSA has charged you for Service Level fees or for the Final Amount Due. All charges will be made in U.S. dollars ($ USD) or Canadian Dollars ($ CAD).
You agree that the authorization provided by you for PSA to store and use the payment method and related information you provide for future orders and charges will remain in effect until canceled by you. You may cancel such authorization in the payment methods screen in the PSA Online Submission process, for PSA Grading Services in particular, or by contacting PSA via phone or written message using the contact information provided in Section 28 below, for all types of PSA Services. These contact methods are also suitable for any other payment- or transaction-related questions you may have.
17. Delinquent Payments and PSA’s Security Interest. You agree (a) to pay to PSA all pricing and other charges when due; (b) that any delinquent balances shall accrue interest at the rate of 10% per year until paid (or, if less, the maximum interest rate permitted by applicable law); and (c) that PSA shall have a security interest in the items submitted, as well as in any other property of yours in the possession of PSA or its affiliates (collectively, the “Property”), to secure your payment obligations hereunder. You hereby grant to PSA an assignment of and lien against the Property in the amount of any fees and other charges due and payable pursuant to the Terms for the applicable PSA Services. You hereby authorize PSA to file, at any time on or after the date such pricing totals and other charges become due, appropriate uniform commercial code and/or personal property financing statements in such jurisdictions and offices as PSA deems necessary in connection with the perfection of a security interest in the Property. If you do not pay all obligations due under the Terms, PSA will execute its security interest in your submitted item(s) by selling or otherwise disposing of such item(s) and applying any proceeds to the delinquent balance.
Related Services
18. Supplemental Services on Submitted Items. PSA may from time to time offer, directly or indirectly, additional services to be performed on your submitted item(s) while in PSA’s possession, which may include, without limitation, comic or magazine pressing (each, a “Supplemental Service”). Such Supplemental Services are not guaranteed to enhance the condition or value of a submitted item, and may result in a lower grade than the item would have otherwise received. By selecting any such Supplemental Service, you assume all risks relating to or resulting from the provision of that Supplemental Service. Except as explicitly provided below, any damage or loss occurring during the provision of Supplemental Services is not eligible for compensation under Section 10 of these terms.
(a) Pressing Services Disclaimer and Release. PSA may offer you the option to have your submitted comic book, magazine, or other printed item cleaned and pressed (“Pressing Services”). Due to the fragile nature or condition of paper collectibles, physical manipulation through pressing can sometimes be unpredictable, which in rare cases may result in new defects, including but not limited to spine splits, popped staples, paper chipping, and inadvertent crease(s). By submitting a comic book or magazine to PSA for Pressing Services, you (i) waive any and all claims against PSA, its affiliates, and/or its agents, with respect to your item’s condition, value, or grade assigned (by PSA or otherwise) due to pressing, and (ii) further agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless each of them from any such claim(s) brought by a third party. This waiver shall not apply where a claim arises solely from PSA’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
(b) Autograph Series Disclaimer. PSA may from time to time offer you the option of having your submitted item autographed while in PSA’s possession (“Autograph Series Services”). PSA will endeavor to obtain signatures and/or encapsulate items within a reasonable time frame, estimated as the number of business days indicated for the Autograph Series Service Level from the date the autographs are signed. However, PSA will have no liability whatsoever to you for damages (including incidental and consequential damages) allegedly due to PSA’s failure to obtain a signature and/or encapsulate an item within any time frame. By selecting an Autograph Series Service Level, you agree that PSA will perform the requested authentication and/or grading service(s) only if your item is signed while submitted. If the signor that is listed on the applicable Service Level is unable to attend their signing session, or for any other reason does not sign any item you submit, PSA will cancel the requested services and, subject to the provisions of these Terms, return your items to you.
19. PSA Vault Services. If you elect at any time to have your item transferred to the PSA Vault, you acknowledge and agree that the PSA Vault Services are subject to the PSA Vault Terms of Service.
20. PSA Memberships. PSA may offer one or more membership program(s) subject to additional terms. (E.g., PSA Collectors Club is offered subject to the PSA Collectors Club Membership Terms and Conditions). PSA may amend or cancel any special offers, discounts, and/or benefits (“Membership Benefits”) relating to the PSA Services available to membership subscribers, or make Membership Benefits available to non-members, at any time, without prior notice to you. If you violate the terms of a PSA membership program, PSA may withdraw Membership Benefits applicable to your submission and, at its discretion, return your submission without cancellation of grading fees due.
Legal
21. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES. Please note that some jurisdictions may not permit the exclusion of implied warranties, so some of the exclusions below may not apply. However, the disclaimers will apply to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
WITHOUT LIMITING THE TERMS OF THE USER AGREEMENT, WITH RESPECT TO ALL OF THE PSA SERVICES, THE REMEDIES SET FORTH IN THE TERMS ARE IN LIEU OF ALL WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, INCLUDING THE EXPRESS, IMPLIED, LEGAL OR STATUTORY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, HEREBY ARE DISCLAIMED AND EXCLUDED. Personnel and employees of PSA are not authorized to make any statement, representations, or warranties contrary to the Terms and any additional statement, including without limitation, statements made by any PSA personnel or employees or those made in any advertising or presentation materials (oral or written) do not constitute representations and warranties by PSA and should not be relied upon as such.
22. Limitation of Liability. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability or of particular types of damages, so the limitations or exclusions below may not apply to you in their entirety but will apply to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
PSA shall have no liability whatsoever to you, or any third party for whom you may be acting, for (a) any personal injury or (b) any damage to any item, or otherwise, resulting from the breaking open of a PSA holder, or for any damage to any item that occurred while the item was not in the custody or control of PSA, including, but not limited to, loss or damage to items while being shipped to PSA, or while being shipped by PSA to you under your own personal shipping courier account and insurance. In addition, PSA shall have no liability whatsoever to you, or any third party for whom you may be acting, for failing to authenticate or certify any submitted item.
Except as otherwise provided herein, and without limiting the terms of the User Agreement, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE MAXIMUM AGGREGATE LIABILITY THAT PSA SHALL HAVE TO YOU, OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR WHOM YOU MAY BE ACTING, ARISING FROM ANY CAUSE, ACT, OMISSION OR OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE, WHETHER CAUSED BY THE ACTIVE OR PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE OF PSA OR OTHERWISE, SHALL IN NO EVENT EXCEED THE FEES AND CHARGES OR LESS ACTUALLY PAID BY YOU FOR THE APPLICABLE PSA SERVICES RENDERED BY PSA WITH RESPECT TO THE ITEMS SUBMITTED FOR PSA SERVICES HEREUNDER. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED HEREIN, IN NO EVENT SHALL PSA OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES, OR ANY OF ITS OR THEIR RESPECTIVE EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS OR AGENTS, BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PARTY, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES OR LEGAL OR EQUITABLE THEORY, FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF DATA, LOSS OF MONEY, GOODWILL OR REPUTATION, COSTS OF DELAY OR LOST PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION DAMAGE, OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES OR ANY INTRINSIC OR SENTIMENTAL VALUE OF AN ITEM, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, PERSONAL INJURY, BODILY INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, DEATH, REAL OR PROPERTY DAMAGE), EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
23. Data and Image Usage. In the ordinary course of its operations, PSA (a) compiles data regarding each item submitted for authentication and/or grading, including, but not limited to, data relating to the identity, production, condition and grade of the item (the “Data”); (b) may take, have taken, or otherwise collect one or more digital or other types of photographs, images, videos or reproductions of each such item (collectively, the “Images”); and/or (c) may provide you access to notes that describe the grade or condition of such item(s), which may include, without limitation, text and modified versions of the Images (collectively, the “Grader Notes” and together with the Data and Images, the “Submission Content”). In consideration for the PSA Services being provided by PSA, you, on your own behalf and that of any third party for whom you may be acting, hereby authorize PSA (a) to compile and maintain such Data with respect to each item submitted hereunder for authentication and/or grading; and (b) to take, cause to be taken, or otherwise collect one or more Images of each such item. You furthermore agree that PSA will be the exclusive owner of all Submission Content and that PSA may use and exploit such Submission Content for commercial and any other purposes, as PSA in its sole discretion deems appropriate, including, but not limited to, the publication and republication or reproduction in or on any media, of such Submission Content. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you, on your own behalf and that of any third party for whom you may be acting with respect to these Terms, unconditionally and irrevocably transfer, convey and assign to PSA any and all current and any hereafter acquired rights, title and interests (including, without limitation, rights in copyright, patent, trade secret and trademark) that you or any such third party may have in or to the Submission Content (on whatever media or in whatever form such Images may be reproduced or published). Notwithstanding the foregoing, PSA grants Customer a limited, revocable license to use the Grader Notes for personal use, and to display, publish, or restate the Grader Notes (including an image thereof) for an item alongside a statement of the grade or image of the PSA certification label for that item, so long as Customer (x) represents the content of the Grader Notes in a complete and accurate manner and (y) clearly identifies the specific item to which such Grader Notes apply. Otherwise, Customer may not, whether or not through a third party, directly or indirectly publish, publicly display, recreate, sublicense, or create derivative works from any of the Grader Notes in any manner whatsoever without the prior written consent of PSA.
24. Indemnification. Without limiting the terms of the User Agreement, you agree to indemnify and reimburse us and any third-party service provider engaged by us for all claims, costs, losses, damages, fees, fines, penalties and other liabilities and expenses incurred by us or brought against us by any third party arising out of or relating to (a) your breach of the Terms or the User Agreement, including, without limitation, any violation of any PSA policies applicable to the PSA Services; (b) your violation of any law or regulation or the rights of any third party; (c) your access to or use any PSA Services; and (d) your negligence, willful misconduct, or fraud.
25. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the User Agreement, you acknowledge and agree that the PSA Services are delivered and the Terms are accepted in the State of California and it is the intention of the parties that it be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of that State, without regard to conflicts of laws principles. EXCEPT WHERE PROHIBITED, THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ARBITRATION SET FORTH IN THE USER AGREEMENT SETS FORTH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS AND ARBITRATION AGREEMENT FOR ANY AND ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS, AND/OR CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THE TERMS AND THE PSA SERVICES.
26. Force Majeure. PSA shall not be considered liable or responsible to you or deemed to have defaulted or breach the Terms and PSA shall be entitled to an extension of the date of any performance required of PSA under the Terms if the failure of PSA to perform was because of a Force Majeure Event. “Force Majeure Event” shall be an act of God, riot, war, civil unrest, hostile fire, flood, earthquake, interruption of services (including without limitation transportation and utility services) or other cause beyond PSA’s reasonable control and anticipation (including without limitation, any mechanical, electronic, or communications failure), or any inability due to the aforementioned causes to obtain necessary labor, materials, facilities or products.
27. Miscellaneous. The terms and provisions in the Terms and the User Agreement (and other terms referenced herein, as applicable), constitute the entire agreement of PSA and you (and any third party for whom you may be acting) regarding the PSA Services identified herein, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings (written or oral) between or among such parties relating thereto (with the exception of the User Agreement and any terms included on paper forms relating to your submission to PSA, which remain applicable and control). If it is determined that there are any inconsistencies between the Terms and the User Agreement, then the documents will control in this order of precedence: the User Agreement and then these Terms. If any term or provision of the Terms is determined, by a final and non-appealable ruling or order of a court of competent jurisdiction, to be invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any of the other terms or provisions of these terms and conditions. Your rights and obligations under these Terms may not be assigned or transferred without the prior written consent of PSA. Each party shall execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments as any other party may request to better evidence or effectuate the agreements contained herein, including the assignment of rights set forth herein, and procedures, and further agree that PSA is entitled to rely upon and benefit from those terms and procedures.
28. Contact Us. If you have any questions about the Terms, the User Agreement, or the PSA Services, contact us at https://www.psacard.com/support for written support.
United States
Collectors Universe, Inc. dba PSA
1600 E. St. Andrew Pl. Ste. 150
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Canada
Collectors Universe (Canada) Limited
5560 Explorer Drive, Suite 101
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 5M3