Steam added trade protection for Counter-Strike 2 items: for a while after a trade, it can be undone. That's good news for anyone who gets scammed, and it changes how trading sites have to handle payments. Here's what it means for you.
What trade protection does
When you receive CS2 items in a trade, they are protected for 7 days. During that time the trade can be reversed and the items go back to their previous owner. After the window closes, the trade is final.
Why trading sites hold sale money
If a site paid you the moment you handed over an item, someone could sell an item, get paid, then reverse the trade and keep both the item and the money. To prevent that, honest sites keep that money pending until the reversal window is over.
On SkinLab, money from a sale shows up in your pending balance right away. You can't spend or withdraw it yet. Once Steam settles the trade, we check it wasn't reversed and the money becomes available. You can see when each sale's money becomes available in your trade history.
What it means when you buy
- The item arrives as a normal Steam trade offer. Accept it in Steam to receive it.
- You can use, inspect and keep the item right away.
- Merchants can only use the money from your purchase after the reversal window, which protects you if something goes wrong.
Tips to trade safely
- Only accept trade offers you expect, and check the items in the offer before you accept.
- Never share your Steam password or Steam Guard codes with anyone.
- Keep your Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator turned on so every trade needs your confirmation.