Glossary
CS2 Trade Lock vs Trade Ban vs Trade Hold: What's the Difference?
In short
A trade lock (Trade Protection) is a 7-day hold on one item that arrived through a trade or purchase. A trade hold delays trades for accounts without a Steam Guard mobile authenticator. A trade ban restricts the whole account.
Players use trade lock, trade hold and trade ban as if they meant the same thing. They are three different restrictions with different causes, different scopes and different lengths. Mixing them up leads to bad purchases, and to panic over a lock that would have ended by itself.
Valve changes these systems from time to time, so treat the details below as a guide and confirm in Steam Support for a specific account.
The three restrictions at a glance
| Applies to | Typical length | Ends by itself? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade lock (Trade Protection) | One item | 7 days | Yes |
| Trade hold | A trade you send or receive | Up to 15 days | Yes |
| Trade ban | The whole account | Set by the cause | Usually, after its term |
Trade lock (Trade Protection)
Since Valve's July 2025 update, a CS2 item received through a trade or a purchase carries a 7-day Trade Protection period. While it lasts, the item cannot be traded on or sold on the Steam Market. When the period ends the item becomes tradable on its own.
Trade Protection also lets an account that was compromised reverse recent protected trades. That option is all-or-nothing and comes with a cost: using it cancels active listings and offers and puts a 30-day restriction on trading and the Market. Our tradelock explainer covers how locks work and why locked skins are often discounted, and the tradelock checker works out an unlock date.
Trade hold
A trade hold is a delay on a trade itself. It is tied to account security: without the Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator enabled for long enough, Steam can hold trades for up to 15 days before items change hands. Enabling the authenticator and keeping it on is the way to avoid it.
The hold is on the exchange, not on the item. That is the difference from a trade lock, which follows the item after it arrives.
Trade ban
A trade ban is a restriction on the account, not on a single item. One documented cause is using Trade Protection's reversal option, which brings a 30-day restriction. Other restrictions can follow account-security problems or rule violations. If you are not sure why an account is restricted, Steam Support is the source for the reason and the end date.
Why this matters when you buy locked skins
- A lock is not a problem with the skin. It is a countdown. Marketplaces such as Skinport label locked listings with a "tradable in X days" note and often price them below unlocked copies.
- You still need to be able to trade. A skin only moves on when its lock ends and your account is free to trade, so a ban or hold on your side affects when you can resell.
- Plan the date. Count from when the item reached your inventory, not from the day you ordered it. See what skin sniping is for how the unlock fits into a buy-and-resell plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a CS2 trade lock?
Seven days from when the item was received, under Valve's Trade Protection rules introduced in July 2025. After that the item becomes tradable without any action from you.
Is a trade lock the same as a trade ban?
No. A trade lock applies to one item and ends on its own after 7 days. A trade ban restricts the whole account for a period set by its cause.
What is a trade hold in Steam?
A trade hold delays an exchange, typically up to 15 days, when the account doesn't have the Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator enabled for long enough. It applies to the trade, not to a particular item.
Can I sell a trade-locked skin on the Steam Market?
No. While Trade Protection is active the item can't be sold on the Steam Market or traded on. Some third-party marketplaces let you buy locked items, which then reach you when the lock ends.
Does buying a locked skin on Skinport risk a trade ban?
Buying a locked item is a normal marketplace purchase. A ban is tied to the account's security and conduct, not to the lock itself. Keep your Steam Guard authenticator on and follow Valve's rules.