Mercari seller verification: when Mercari asks for your ID, SSN or W-9
Mercari is a regulated Money Service Business, so like a bank it must verify who its users are — but instead of asking everyone at sign-up, it asks when you reach certain limits. There are three situations.
1. Selling above the $2,000 price limit
Listings and purchases on Mercari usually have a $2,000 price limit. To list or buy items verified with Authenticate at up to $5,000, you complete an extra identity verification:
- first and last name;
- residential address — P.O. boxes aren’t accepted;
- date of birth;
- the last four digits of your SSN.
Mercari checks these against a national database, and in some cases asks for a driver’s license or other government ID. It can deny a submission.
2. Becoming a high-volume seller (INFORM Consumers Act)
A US law, the INFORM Consumers Act, requires marketplaces to verify high-volume third-party sellers. On Mercari that means anyone with 200 or more sales of new or like-new items totaling $5,000 or more in gross sales, in any continuous 12-month period during the previous 24 months.
If you qualify, Mercari will contact you and must have on file:
- full name (and, for businesses, a business name);
- your address;
- bank checking account and routing number;
- tax ID — SSN, ITIN or EIN;
- a working email and phone number;
- the details of any other seller who supplied the item, if that applies.
Mercari verifies it within 10 calendar days. If you don’t provide and certify the information within 10 calendar days of being contacted, Mercari is legally required to suspend your selling.
If you reach $20,000 or more in annual sales, Mercari must also show buyers your name or business name, physical address and an email or phone number, with some exceptions for residential addresses.
3. The W-9 for tax reporting
Mercari may ask you for a substitute W-9 with your legal name, SSN or ITIN (or EIN for businesses), mailing address and tax classification. It uses this to file a Form 1099-K if you meet the filing requirements, and verifies it with third-party providers and tax authorities. Not submitting it when asked can restrict your account and selling.
Tips
- Respond quickly — especially to INFORM requests, because of the 10-day deadline.
- Make sure your name and address match your ID and tax records.
- Keep details current from your seller dashboard (contact info tab) if anything changes.
- Only enter this information inside the Mercari app or website — never in reply to a message from another user.
If your account is already restricted, see Mercari account limited. For when the money arrives once you’re verified, see when Mercari sellers get paid.