Steam Trade Protection: what "Trade accepted" means
Steam can hold traded items for a few days. Your payment is done on your side; the shop has been told.
Steam has a feature called Trade Protection. For a few days after a trade, the items are held and the trade can still be reversed. When this happens, the checkout shows Trade accepted instead of Paid.
What it means for you
- You accepted the trade. Your part is done.
- The shop has been told about your payment.
- Each shop decides when to give you what you paid for. Some do it right away, others wait until the hold ends. Ask the shop if you are unsure.
How long does it take?
Steam holds the trade for up to 7 days. When the hold ends, the payment is final.
Reversing a protected trade
Steam lets you undo a protected trade during the hold. If you do, the items go back to you and the payment is cancelled. The shop is told, and it may take back whatever you got for the payment. Only reverse a trade if something really went wrong, and talk to the shop first.
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