CS2 and Steam accounts

What does Steam’s trade protection do?

Steam puts items you receive in a trade under protection for 7 days. During this time you can use the item, but you can’t trade it again, send it to someone else or sell it. This matters when you buy an account: if you plan to turn the inventory into cash right after the handover, you’ll have to wait.

• If you reverse a trade during the protection period, the account goes into a 30-day security mode: during this time you can’t trade or use the Community Market, and trades still under protection are cancelled and the items returned.
• If your account is stolen, this protection window works in your favor; you can reverse the trade from your Trade History page.
• You need the Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator to trade. Set it up on your own phone right after the handover; an authenticator left on the seller’s phone means the seller still has the account’s trading rights.

What to check in the listing

• Email access. This is the most critical field for a Steam account too; if the original email isn’t handed over, the account can be taken back.
• Inventory value. The skin inventory makes up most of the price; compare the list in the listing description with the account’s inventory at handover.
• Ban status. VAC and game bans stay on the account permanently and can’t be removed.
• Game library. Games bought on Steam are tied to the account; the listing should say which games it includes.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell the skins right after buying the account?

No. Steam’s trade protection locks traded items for 7 days; during this time you can use them but can’t trade or sell them.

When should I move Steam Guard to my own phone?

Right after the handover. As long as the authenticator stays on the seller’s phone, the seller effectively holds the account’s trading rights.

Can a VAC-banned account be cleaned?

No. VAC bans are permanent and can’t be removed. The listing must state the ban status clearly.

Can I move the account’s games to my own account?

No. Games bought on Steam are tied to the account and can’t be transferred to another account.

Payment, delivery times and refund terms: delivery terms · If something goes wrong: complaints and dispute resolution.