PSA has confirmed a significant move for the UK hobby: a dedicated Receiving Centre in the Greater London area, set to open in the second half of 2026. For British collectors, this is the most significant change to PSA's UK presence since the company began scaling its international operations. For ACE Grading, the current dominant UK grading company, it's an inflexion point.
Here's what PSA announced, what changes for collectors, and how this shakes up the UK grading landscape.
The new London-area Receiving Centre is designed to remove the friction UK collectors face when submitting cards internationally. PSA highlighted three key improvements:
• **No customs headaches**. Submissions routed through the UK centre won't get stuck in cross-border checks. This removes the delays and uncertainty that have long discouraged UK submissions.
• **Lower shipping fees**. Domestic postage replaces international courier costs.
• **GBP pricing**. Collectors won't have to deal with exchange rate swings when calculating grading costs.
PSA also expects to hire about 20 people across operations, logistics, customer service, and marketing as part of the rollout. Once the centre opens, collectors will ship cards to the London hub; after grading, PSA will return cards to that exact UK location before final delivery. More details will be released as the 2026 launch approaches.
On its own, this is straightforward: easier submissions for UK collectors. But the ripple effects stretch into ACE's business and the broader market for UK-graded slabs.
__**1.** ACE Loses One of Its Biggest Advantages: Convenience__
ACE's main strength has been accessibility. Quick domestic shipping, no customs, predictable timelines, and straightforward pricing made ACE the natural choice for UK collectors who didn't want the cost or trouble of sending cards overseas.
PSA is now closing that gap.
A UK receiving centre doesn't remove PSA's higher base pricing or longer turnaround times, but it levels the playing field on the logistical pain points that pushed many collectors toward ACE. For anyone who previously said, "I'd grade with PSA if it wasn't for the shipping," the barrier just got much lower.
__**2.** ACE Still Holds Its Ground on Turnaround and Aesthetics__
ACE has built a strong identity: fast service, distinct label designs, and a slab style that appeals to collectors who treat the presentation as part of the product. Many ACE fans value the look and immediacy more than the PSA premium.
PSA's move won't erase that. ACE can still differentiate on:
• speed
• slab design
• brand personality
• collector-first communication
• special labels and variants
But ACE will likely feel pressure to refine its offering, improve efficiencies, and reinforce what makes its slabs unique.
__**3.** The Value Gap Between ACE Slabs and PSA Slabs May Widen__
On the secondary market, PSA already commands stronger liquidity and higher average resale prices. With fewer logistical barriers, more UK collectors will submit directly to PSA, increasing the supply of PSA-graded UK cards.
That makes two things more likely:
• **More UK sellers will treat PSA as their default grading path.**
• **Buyers will find more PSA options at competitive prices.**
This can widen the perceived gap between PSA and other UK grading companies, including ACE. Investors who currently view ACE slabs as a more accessible option may favour PSA once the total submission cost declines.
ACE slabs will still hold value for collectors who prioritise appearance or want to support a UK-based grader, but the investment case becomes more niche.
__**4.** ACE's Brand Strength Will Matter More Than Ever__
If convenience is no longer a differentiator, ACE's future advantage comes from brand loyalty and community.
ACE has built a strong following through influencer partnerships, transparent communication, and a clear design identity. PSA's UK expansion doesn't erase that goodwill, but it does test its durability.
The companies now operate in different lanes:
• **PSA**: global standard for resale value and population reporting
• **ACE**: design-driven, collector-oriented UK brand with faster service
How ACE positions itself over the next two years will shape whether it remains the go-to UK alternative or becomes a more limited boutique option.
If you already own ACE slabs, here's what to expect:
• **Liquidity may plateau**. Demand will stay strong among ACE fans, but broader investor demand may drift toward PSA once domestic submissions open.
• **Prices may stabilise rather than climb**. ACE's premium cards will continue to sell well, but the ceiling may be lower than that of PSA equivalents.
• **Collectors who value aesthetics won't be affected**. ACE's design appeal isn't going anywhere, and some collectors will always prefer ACE's look.
In short, ACE slabs won't tank, but their market position will become more defined. They shift further into the "collector preference" space rather than the "investment default" space.
ACE has roughly one year before PSA's UK centre opens. That's both a challenge and an opportunity. Expect ACE to double down on:
• shorter turnaround times
• continued improvements in grading accuracy and consistency
• stronger community engagement
• more distinctive label variations
• possible pricing adjustments or membership perks
ACE can still thrive, but it'll succeed by being different, not by trying to match PSA on PSA's terms.
PSA's London-area expansion is one of the most significant shifts the UK grading market has seen. It brings simpler submissions, lower costs, and fewer pain points for British collectors. It also puts pressure on ACE, the current leader in UK-based grading, to refine its identity and reinforce why some collectors should continue choosing it.
For UK hobbyists, though, this is good news. More choice. Easier access. Better competition. And a grading landscape that finally reflects the size and enthusiasm of the UK collecting community.
Here's what PSA announced, what changes for collectors, and how this shakes up the UK grading landscape.
What PSA Is Building
The new London-area Receiving Centre is designed to remove the friction UK collectors face when submitting cards internationally. PSA highlighted three key improvements:
• **No customs headaches**. Submissions routed through the UK centre won't get stuck in cross-border checks. This removes the delays and uncertainty that have long discouraged UK submissions.
• **Lower shipping fees**. Domestic postage replaces international courier costs.
• **GBP pricing**. Collectors won't have to deal with exchange rate swings when calculating grading costs.
PSA also expects to hire about 20 people across operations, logistics, customer service, and marketing as part of the rollout. Once the centre opens, collectors will ship cards to the London hub; after grading, PSA will return cards to that exact UK location before final delivery. More details will be released as the 2026 launch approaches.
On its own, this is straightforward: easier submissions for UK collectors. But the ripple effects stretch into ACE's business and the broader market for UK-graded slabs.
How This Shapes the UK Grading Market
__**1.** ACE Loses One of Its Biggest Advantages: Convenience__
ACE's main strength has been accessibility. Quick domestic shipping, no customs, predictable timelines, and straightforward pricing made ACE the natural choice for UK collectors who didn't want the cost or trouble of sending cards overseas.
PSA is now closing that gap.
A UK receiving centre doesn't remove PSA's higher base pricing or longer turnaround times, but it levels the playing field on the logistical pain points that pushed many collectors toward ACE. For anyone who previously said, "I'd grade with PSA if it wasn't for the shipping," the barrier just got much lower.
__**2.** ACE Still Holds Its Ground on Turnaround and Aesthetics__
ACE has built a strong identity: fast service, distinct label designs, and a slab style that appeals to collectors who treat the presentation as part of the product. Many ACE fans value the look and immediacy more than the PSA premium.
PSA's move won't erase that. ACE can still differentiate on:
• speed
• slab design
• brand personality
• collector-first communication
• special labels and variants
But ACE will likely feel pressure to refine its offering, improve efficiencies, and reinforce what makes its slabs unique.
__**3.** The Value Gap Between ACE Slabs and PSA Slabs May Widen__
On the secondary market, PSA already commands stronger liquidity and higher average resale prices. With fewer logistical barriers, more UK collectors will submit directly to PSA, increasing the supply of PSA-graded UK cards.
That makes two things more likely:
• **More UK sellers will treat PSA as their default grading path.**
• **Buyers will find more PSA options at competitive prices.**
This can widen the perceived gap between PSA and other UK grading companies, including ACE. Investors who currently view ACE slabs as a more accessible option may favour PSA once the total submission cost declines.
ACE slabs will still hold value for collectors who prioritise appearance or want to support a UK-based grader, but the investment case becomes more niche.
__**4.** ACE's Brand Strength Will Matter More Than Ever__
If convenience is no longer a differentiator, ACE's future advantage comes from brand loyalty and community.
ACE has built a strong following through influencer partnerships, transparent communication, and a clear design identity. PSA's UK expansion doesn't erase that goodwill, but it does test its durability.
The companies now operate in different lanes:
• **PSA**: global standard for resale value and population reporting
• **ACE**: design-driven, collector-oriented UK brand with faster service
How ACE positions itself over the next two years will shape whether it remains the go-to UK alternative or becomes a more limited boutique option.
What This Means for Collectors and Investors Holding ACE Slabs
If you already own ACE slabs, here's what to expect:
• **Liquidity may plateau**. Demand will stay strong among ACE fans, but broader investor demand may drift toward PSA once domestic submissions open.
• **Prices may stabilise rather than climb**. ACE's premium cards will continue to sell well, but the ceiling may be lower than that of PSA equivalents.
• **Collectors who value aesthetics won't be affected**. ACE's design appeal isn't going anywhere, and some collectors will always prefer ACE's look.
In short, ACE slabs won't tank, but their market position will become more defined. They shift further into the "collector preference" space rather than the "investment default" space.
What This Means for ACE as a Business
ACE has roughly one year before PSA's UK centre opens. That's both a challenge and an opportunity. Expect ACE to double down on:
• shorter turnaround times
• continued improvements in grading accuracy and consistency
• stronger community engagement
• more distinctive label variations
• possible pricing adjustments or membership perks
ACE can still thrive, but it'll succeed by being different, not by trying to match PSA on PSA's terms.
The Bottom Line
PSA's London-area expansion is one of the most significant shifts the UK grading market has seen. It brings simpler submissions, lower costs, and fewer pain points for British collectors. It also puts pressure on ACE, the current leader in UK-based grading, to refine its identity and reinforce why some collectors should continue choosing it.
For UK hobbyists, though, this is good news. More choice. Easier access. Better competition. And a grading landscape that finally reflects the size and enthusiasm of the UK collecting community.