Comparison · Japan
Premier Card Grading (PCG) vs ARS (Arsales)
Side-by-side on modeled all-in cost for 3 cards in Japan, turnaround, subgrades and grading scale — from dated, sourced evidence. Unknowns stay visible; no fake "winner" when the data is incomplete.
Checked on 23 Oct 2026
Modeled comparison, not a quote; not tax or customs advice. Verify on each official site.
Premier Card Grading (PCG) vs ARS (Arsales) at a glance
| Factor | Premier Card Grading (PCG) | ARS (Arsales) |
|---|---|---|
| Modeled all-in | ¥10,500 | ¥10,500 |
| Base fee | ¥3,500 | ¥3,500 |
| Tier modeled | Standard | Standard-I (<=JPY30k value) |
| Turnaround | 7–14 days | 5 working days |
| Subgrades | Yes | Unknown |
| Grading scale | 1-10 | 1-10 |
| Grading method | Human | Human |
| Availability | Active | Unknown |
The honest verdict — it depends
We won't declare a winner: one or both have unpublished cost components, so an "all-in" verdict would be misleading. Decide on the factors below.
- If you want subgrades (centering / corners / edges / surface): Premier Card Grading (PCG) = yes, ARS (Arsales) = not confirmed. This is often the deciding factor between these two.
- If speed matters: Premier Card Grading (PCG) 7–14 days vs ARS (Arsales) 5 working days (published targets).
- If you're in Japan: both price in this market; landed cost still depends on shipping, VAT and insurance — see card grading cost from Japan.
Premier Card Grading (PCG) cost breakdown
Base fee × 3¥10,500
Outbound & return shippingNot published
InsuranceNot published
VatNot published
MembershipNone required
UpchargeNot published
Source: https://www.premiercardgrading.jp/pages/pricing-services ↗
ARS (Arsales) cost breakdown
Base fee × 3¥10,500
Outbound & return shippingNot published
InsuranceNot published
VatNot published
MembershipNone required
UpchargeNot published
Source: https://ars-grading.com/price ↗
Frequently asked questions
- Is Premier Card Grading (PCG) or ARS (Arsales) cheaper?
- We can't call a clear cheaper option: one or both have unpublished cost components, so an all-in comparison would be misleading. Compare the base fees and turnaround below and verify on each official site.
- Does Premier Card Grading (PCG) or ARS (Arsales) give subgrades?
- Premier Card Grading (PCG): subgrades yes. ARS (Arsales): subgrades not confirmed. If you want individual centering/corners/edges/surface marks, that difference matters.
- What turnaround do Premier Card Grading (PCG) and ARS (Arsales) advertise?
- Premier Card Grading (PCG) Standard: 7–14 days. ARS (Arsales) Standard-I (<=JPY30k value): 5 working days. These are published service targets, not guarantees.
Related
- Full profiles: Premier Card Grading (PCG) grading fees & profile · ARS (Arsales) grading fees & profile
- Every grader's cheapest tier: card grading cost & fees compared
- Landed cost in this market: card grading cost from Japan
- More comparisons: Premier Card Grading (PCG) vs Ace Grading
- All head-to-heads: compare card grading companies · all grading companies