What it is
Since 2025 Valve applies a Trade Protection hold of roughly 8 days to completed trades, letting users reverse fraudulent ones. The item is yours but stays trade-locked until the hold ends.
Buying a locked item
You can buy trade-locked skins cheaper, but they can't be re-traded until the lock expires. skin1 labels the exact days remaining on every listing.
Selling around it
Instant Sell credits your skin1 balance immediately. Withdrawals unlock after the 8-day protection window — or instantly once you reach the instant-payout threshold.