CS2 Trade Holds & Restrictions Guide
Understanding trade holds, cooldowns, and restrictions is essential for anyone trading CS2 skins. This comprehensive guide explains Steam Guard trade holds, account-based restrictions, VAC ban effects, and how to minimize or avoid delays when trading your valuable inventory.
Table of Contents
Understanding CS2 Trade Holds
Trade holds are temporary delays placed on trades before items are exchanged. Steam implements these holds as a security measure to protect users from unauthorized trades, give time to detect compromised accounts, and prevent scammers from quickly moving stolen items.
15-Day Trade Hold
The standard hold when either party doesn't have Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator enabled for at least 7 days. Items cannot be moved during this period.
No Trade Hold
When both trading parties have had Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator active for 7+ days, trades complete immediately with no hold.
Trade Cooldowns
Temporary restrictions triggered by account changes like new payment methods, password resets, or device changes. Duration varies.
Ban-Related Locks
VAC bans and certain game bans permanently prevent trading CS2 items from the affected account. Items remain locked forever.
Why Trade Holds Exist
According to Steam's official documentation, trade holds are designed to protect users whose accounts are compromised. The delay period allows the original account owner time to discover unauthorized access, secure their account, and cancel fraudulent trades before items are permanently lost.
Steam Guard & Trade Holds
The Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator is the key to avoiding trade holds. Understanding exactly how it works and the timeline involved will help you trade without delays.
Trade Hold Duration by Steam Guard Status
| Your Steam Guard Status | Partner's Status | Trade Hold |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile Auth 7+ days | Mobile Auth 7+ days | ✓ No hold |
| Mobile Auth 7+ days | Mobile Auth <7 days | 15 days |
| Mobile Auth 7+ days | No Mobile Auth | 15 days |
| Mobile Auth <7 days | Any | 15 days |
| Email only Steam Guard | Any | 15 days |
| No Steam Guard | Any | 15 days |
How to Set Up Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator
- Download the Steam Mobile App - Available for iOS and Android from the official app stores. Ensure you download the official Steam app from Valve.
- Sign in to your Steam account - Use your Steam credentials to log in to the mobile app.
- Navigate to Steam Guard - Go to the menu and select Steam Guard, then tap "Add Authenticator."
- Link your phone number - Enter your phone number to receive a verification code via SMS.
- Save your recovery code - Steam will provide a recovery code. Store this safely offline - you'll need it if you lose access to your phone.
- Wait 7 days - The authenticator must be active for 7 full days before you can trade without holds.
Trade Cooldowns
Beyond trade holds, Steam implements various cooldowns that temporarily restrict trading activity. These are separate from Steam Guard holds and serve as additional security measures.
Common Trade Cooldown Triggers
New Payment Method Added Up to 15 days
Adding a new credit card, PayPal account, or other payment method triggers a cooldown on trading and Steam Market access.
Password Reset 5-15 days
Resetting your Steam password places a cooldown on trading as a precaution against unauthorized password changes.
Steam Guard Change 15 days
Enabling, disabling, or transferring Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator creates a trade cooldown plus the 7-day requirement.
New Device Login 7 days
Logging in from a new computer or device for the first time may restrict certain trading activities temporarily.
Account Recovery 15+ days
Recovering a compromised account through Steam Support typically results in extended trade restrictions.
Understanding Cooldown Logic
Trade cooldowns exist because many account compromises involve changes to payment methods, passwords, or authentication settings. A scammer who gains access to your account would try to change these settings to redirect payments and trades. The cooldown period gives the legitimate owner time to notice something is wrong and contact Steam Support before permanent damage occurs.
Limited Account Restrictions
New Steam accounts start as "limited" until the user spends at least $5 USD on the Steam Store. Limited accounts have significant trading restrictions designed to prevent spam and fraud from throwaway accounts.
Limited vs Unlimited Account Comparison
| Feature | Limited Account | Unlimited Account |
|---|---|---|
| Send Trade Offers | ✗ Cannot send | ✓ Full access |
| Receive Trade Offers | ⚠ Can receive only | ✓ Full access |
| Steam Community Market | ✗ No access | ✓ Full access |
| Add Friends | ✗ Cannot add | ✓ Unlimited |
| Post in Forums | ✗ No posting | ✓ Full access |
| Vote on Greenlight/Reviews | ✗ Cannot vote | ✓ Full access |
How to Unlock Your Account
Spend at least $5 USD on Steam Store purchases (games, DLC, or in-game items). Gift purchases don't count, nor does adding funds without spending them. Once you've spent $5, your account becomes unlimited permanently. Check your account status at Steam's account info page.
VAC Bans & Trading
Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC) bans are permanent bans issued for using cheats or exploits in VAC-secured games. In CS2, a VAC ban has severe consequences for your inventory and trading ability.
What Happens When You Get VAC Banned
Items Locked
All CS2 items are permanently bound to the account. They cannot be traded, gifted, or sold on any platform.
Market Access Removed
You cannot buy or sell CS2 items on the Steam Community Market from the banned account.
Can Still Receive Items
Ironically, you can still receive items but cannot send them. Items received are immediately locked.
No Appeal Process
VAC bans cannot be appealed or removed. The decision is final and automated detection is trusted.
Key Facts About VAC Bans
- VAC bans are game-specific - a ban in CS2 only affects CS2, not other games
- Bans are applied to the account, not the individual who was playing
- Sharing your account is not an excuse - you are responsible for all activity
- New games can still be purchased on a VAC-banned account
- VAC bans are displayed publicly on your Steam profile after the first 2 weeks
- You can still play CS2, but only on non-VAC secured servers
According to Steam Support documentation, VAC bans are not negotiable. The system is designed to be final to maintain the integrity of competitive play.
Game Bans vs VAC Bans
Game bans are different from VAC bans - they're issued by game developers rather than Valve's automated system. The trading implications can vary depending on the game and ban type.
VAC Ban
- Issued by Valve Anti-Cheat system
- Automatic detection
- Cannot be appealed
- Always locks inventory for that game
- Permanent ban from VAC-secured servers
- Public after 2 weeks
Game Ban
- Issued by game developer
- Manual or automatic review
- May be appealable to developer
- Trading restrictions vary by developer
- Ban scope defined by developer
- Public immediately
CS2-Specific Game Bans
Valve issues both VAC bans and game bans for CS2. Game bans in CS2 (such as Overwatch bans from community reports) typically carry the same trading restrictions as VAC bans - your inventory becomes locked. However, other games' game bans may not affect CS2 trading at all. Always check your specific ban details on your Steam profile.
Steam Community Market Restrictions
The Steam Community Market has its own set of restrictions separate from direct trading. Understanding these is important for anyone looking to buy or sell CS2 skins.
Market-Specific Restrictions
| Restriction Type | Duration | Cause |
|---|---|---|
| New Account | Until $5 spent | Limited account status |
| No Recent Steam Purchase | Until purchase made | Must have purchase within 1 year |
| New Steam Guard | 15 days | Recently enabled/changed authenticator |
| Steam Wallet Funds | 7 days | Recently added funds |
| New Payment Method | Up to 15 days | Fraud prevention |
| Purchased Items | 7 days | Market items have a 7-day trade cooldown |
For detailed information about market fees and how they affect your profits, see our Steam Market Fee Calculator.
How to Avoid Trade Holds
Most trade holds and restrictions are completely avoidable with proper account setup and planning. Follow these steps to ensure smooth, delay-free trading.
Enable Steam Guard Mobile
The single most important step. Enable Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator and keep it active.
Wait the 7 Days
Don't rush. Let the full 7 days pass after enabling Steam Guard before important trades.
Stable Payment Methods
Avoid frequently changing payment methods. Stick with one verified method.
Keep Credentials Secure
Don't share your account or password. Avoid needing to reset credentials.
Spend $5 on Steam
Remove limited account restrictions by making at least $5 in Steam Store purchases.
Trade with Protected Users
Only trade with users who also have Steam Guard enabled for 7+ days.
Pre-Trade Checklist
- ✓ Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator enabled for 7+ days
- ✓ Account is unlimited ($5+ spent)
- ✓ No recent password or payment changes
- ✓ Trading partner also has Steam Guard 7+ days
- ✓ No active trade cooldowns
- ✓ Account is in good standing (no bans)
Third-Party Marketplaces & Trade Holds
Third-party CS2 skin marketplaces have their own policies regarding trade holds. Understanding these can help you choose the right platform for your needs.
Third-Party Marketplace Considerations
While third-party sites like Buff163, CSFloat, and Skinport often have lower fees than Steam Market, they still require Steam trades to transfer items. This means Steam Guard requirements still apply. However, some platforms may have different policies about holding items during transactions. Always research a platform's policies before using it.
Third-party marketplaces generally:
- Still require both parties to have Steam Guard enabled for instant trades
- May hold your items in escrow during the sale process
- Have their own verification requirements for new accounts
- May have withdrawal cooldowns separate from Steam restrictions
- Cannot bypass VAC ban inventory locks - banned items cannot be sold anywhere
For a detailed comparison of third-party platforms and their features, see our Third-Party Marketplaces Guide. For account protection tips when using these platforms, check our Account Security Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the CS2 trade hold without Steam Guard?
Without Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator, all trades have a 15-day hold. Both parties in a trade must have Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator active for at least 7 days to avoid this hold. Email-only Steam Guard does not remove the hold.
Can I trade CS2 skins with a VAC ban?
No. If your account has a VAC ban in CS2 (or CSGO, as they share the ban), you cannot trade, sell, gift, or transfer any CS2 items from that account. The items remain permanently locked. This cannot be appealed or reversed.
What is a limited Steam account and how do I upgrade it?
A limited Steam account is one that hasn't spent at least $5 USD on the Steam Store. Limited accounts cannot initiate trades, access the Steam Community Market, or add friends. To upgrade, simply spend $5 or more on the Steam Store (games, DLC, or in-game purchases - not wallet funds alone).
Can I cancel a trade that's on hold?
Yes, either party can cancel a pending trade during the hold period. This is one of the security benefits of trade holds - if you notice an unauthorized trade, you can cancel it before items are transferred.
Why do I have a trade cooldown after changing my password?
Password changes trigger trade cooldowns as a security measure. If someone gains unauthorized access and changes your password, the cooldown prevents them from immediately trading away your items, giving you time to recover your account.
Do game bans affect trading like VAC bans?
It depends on the game and ban type. CS2-specific game bans (like Overwatch bans) typically carry the same inventory lock as VAC bans. However, game bans in other games usually don't affect CS2 trading. Check your Steam profile for specific ban details.
How can I check if I have any trade restrictions?
Go to Steam → Settings → Account and look for any notifications about restrictions. You can also try initiating a trade - Steam will inform you of any active restrictions. Additionally, your Steam profile shows any VAC or game bans publicly.
Will the trade hold affect both items in a trade?
Yes, trade holds apply to the entire trade. If either party has restrictions that trigger a hold, all items in that trade are held for the same duration. You cannot partially complete a held trade.
Can I avoid trade holds by using third-party sites?
No. Third-party marketplaces still use Steam's trading system to transfer items. Steam Guard requirements and trade holds still apply to any trades initiated through third-party platforms. VAC banned items cannot be sold anywhere.
What happens to my skins if my account gets VAC banned?
Your skins remain in your inventory but become permanently untradeable and unmarketable. They have no practical value since they cannot leave your account. Many players refer to this as their inventory being "deleted" even though the items are technically still there.
Last updated: January 2026