Mercari Account Suspension? 2026 Complete Guide to Understanding Suspension Logic and Recovery

Mercari, a popular second-hand trading platform, has become a favorite for sellers and buyers. However, many sellers face account suspension issues due to unfamiliarity with the platform’s risk control mechanisms. This article delves into the reasons for Mercari account suspensions, how to recover suspended accounts, prevent bans, and maintain long-term account stability. It aims to help sellers navigate the risks of account suspension and ensure their stores run smoothly.

I. What is Mercari?

Mercari is one of Japan’s most popular second-hand trading platforms, similar to “Xianyu” in China. Users can easily buy and sell items through Mercari, enjoying simple payment and logistics options. The platform also offers a verification and rating system for sellers to protect both buyers and sellers.

Platform Features:

• Product Style: Focused on second-hand items, Mercari is a key platform for trading second-hand cultural items like Japanese anime, idol merchandise, and Pokémon cards.
• User Base: Primarily young people and women, with a focus on those seeking value for money.
• Fee Structure: Mercari’s main cost is the transaction commission, with no fees for listing or opening a store.
• Entry Requirements: Sellers need to verify with a phone number from a supported country or region and bind a local bank or debit card for payments.
• One Account per Person: The platform restricts users to one seller account per identity, and changing registered usernames or avatars is difficult.

II. Reasons for Mercari Account Suspension

1.Non-compliant Products

Selling prohibited items, using stolen images, making false descriptions, keyword stuffing, or guiding transactions outside the platform can trigger risk control or buyer reports.

2.Customer Complaints and Negative Reviews

• Multiple Negative Reviews in a Short Period: New accounts receiving over two negative reviews within one month are at high risk of suspension.
• Failure to Respond to Complaints: Not responding to complaints like “item not as described” within 24 hours.
• High Return Rate: If the return rate exceeds 15%, the account is flagged for high risk.

3.Account Linking

• Hardware Linking: Logging into multiple seller accounts from the same device triggers suspicion of a “multi-account matrix.”
• Network Linking: Bulk operations from the same IP address.
• Behavioral Linking: Similar product descriptions, identical photo backgrounds, and mass listing items at fixed times.
• Payment Linking: Multiple accounts linked to the same credit card or payment account.

4.IP Issues

• Low-Quality Proxy IPs: Using cheap public proxies or data center proxies with a high blacklisting rate.
• Rapid IP Switching: Logging in from Tokyo, then Osaka within a few hours.
• Multiple Accounts on the Same IP: More than three seller accounts logged in from the same residential IP will trigger a flag.
• Lack of Japanese IP: Using non-Japanese IPs long-term can trigger “overseas operation” risk controls.

5.New Accounts Lacking Credibility

• Instant Listings: New accounts starting with bulk listings and no purchase history.
• Abnormal Listing Patterns: Listing over five items on the first day can be flagged as “professional seller violation.”
• Lack of Verification: Unverified accounts with incomplete phone number, credit card, or identity verification.

III. How to Recover a Suspended Mercari Account

Step 1: Wait Calmly (Golden Period: 24-72 Hours)

Stop all account activities immediately to avoid triggering secondary risk control. Mercari conducts random account checks, and suspensions are typically lifted automatically within 24-72 hours. You should check the help center for the specific reason for the suspension and keep records of all past transactions, product pages, and communication.

Step 2: Re-authentication and Document Preparation

• Identity Re-validation: Prepare a high-quality scan of your residence card or driver’s license that matches your registration information.
• Address Proof: Provide a utility bill or bank statement showing your name and address, or, if you’ve changed address, submit a “transit certificate” from the local ward office.

Step 3: Write a “Japanese-style Apology Email” (Final step if recovery fails)

Core email points:

• Use polite language (です・ます form)
• Apologize first, then explain
• Admit your mistake without making excuses
• Clearly outline corrective actions
• Provide full supporting documents

IV. How to Prevent Mercari Account Suspension

1.Account Infrastructure

• IP Address Management: Mercari has strong IP recognition capabilities. Using non-Japanese IPs or proxies with abnormal IP ranges can lead to account suspension. Always use static residential proxy IPs, with each seller account linked to one fixed IP, matching the registration address (e.g., Tokyo IP for Tokyo registration).
• Recommended Proxy: IPFoxy provides stable, clean, and exclusive proxy IPs, unlike public proxies, which are more likely to trigger Mercari’s risk control. IPFoxy’s proxies have high purity, reliability, and support city-level geolocation.
• One Account, One Environment: Mercari monitors account security through multiple factors, including hardware device information, browser fingerprints, time zones, languages, and cookies. Using an anti-detect browser creates an independent virtual environment for each account, providing “physical isolation” and enhancing security.
• Authenticity of Identity: After completing all verification steps, new accounts should first make 3-5 genuine purchases to build credit and use a real photo for the avatar.

2.Operational Compliance

• Product Listing Standards: Upload at least three original photos from different angles, provide detailed descriptions without exaggeration, and clearly mark any flaws.
• Transaction Risk Management: Ship items within 48 hours, upload tracking numbers promptly, and set up automatic reply templates. For disputed orders, prioritize refunds without arguing over small losses.
• Optimizing Account Behavior: Limit new listings to no more than three per day, avoid batch operations at fixed times, and occasionally browse and favorite other items to simulate real user behavior.

3.Long-Term Maintenance Strategy

• Data Monitoring: Use Mercari’s official seller tools to track traffic data and monitor account health, score changes, and complaints. Set a schedule for removing unsold items to avoid inventory buildup.
• Emergency Preparation: Backup all product images and descriptions, and record buyer IDs and communication logs for each transaction.

V. FAQ

VI. Conclusion

Mercari, as a leading second-hand trading platform in Japan, offers great business opportunities but also comes with strict risk control mechanisms. Understanding and complying with Mercari’s rules, avoiding violations and account linking issues, is key to maintaining a healthy account. Caution and compliance are essential for achieving long-term stable sales on the platform.