Mercari account limited, suspended or closed? Why it happens and what to do
A limited Mercari account can mean you can’t list, sell or withdraw — and it’s easy to panic. Mercari does tell you why, though, and many limits are about verification or a temporary investigation rather than a ban. Here’s how it works, from Mercari’s US help centre.
Why Mercari limits or closes accounts
Mercari lists these reasons:
- listing or selling prohibited items;
- prohibited conduct (see below);
- multiple violations of its Terms of Service;
- questionable activity or high-risk behaviour — for example unusual transactions, a card issuer flagging a payment, or frequent cancellations, returns or chargebacks;
- verification — Mercari may need to verify your identity or collect tax information, often triggered by your transaction activity.
If the behaviour is too risky or repeated, or Mercari doesn’t receive information it asked for, it may close the account.
How you’re told
Mercari says you’ll get an in-app message and an email explaining why the account was limited, how long the limit lasts, and whether you need to do anything to lift it. Read that first — it usually tells you exactly what to do, for example upload ID or send receipts.
Warnings come first, usually
Mercari may send a warning if you list a prohibited item or break its conduct rules. Depending on how serious it is and how many warnings you’ve had, a warning can come with a temporary suspension, restrictions, or termination.
Prohibited conduct that catches sellers out
Mercari’s Prohibited Conduct page includes, among others:
- creating multiple listings of the same item, or excessive reposting of previously listed items;
- using stock or advertisement photos, or photos you didn’t take yourself;
- too many search keywords, unrelated categories, or a false brand;
- listing items you don’t have in your possession, or that will ship from a third party;
- proposing a transaction off Mercari, or encouraging payment outside Mercari;
- having more than one Mercari account.
If you think it’s a mistake
Mercari says to let it know through Contact Us if you have questions or believe the account was limited or closed in error. Include the order or listing involved and any proof — receipts, tracking, photos of the item.
A message you can adapt:
Don’t open a second account to keep selling. Having multiple Mercari accounts is itself listed as prohibited conduct, and can put all of your accounts at risk.
Before your next sale, our free Mercari fee calculator shows what you’ll actually earn after the 10% selling fee.
If a single listing was taken down rather than your account, see Mercari listing removed.
Selling paused after Mercari asked for your details? High-volume sellers have 10 days to provide them — see Mercari seller verification.