If your Mercari account has suddenly been restricted, you may find that you can still sign in but can no longer buy, sell, like items, update your profile, or use other account features.

In other cases, the problem looks similar but is actually different: you may be temporarily unable to log in, unable to register a new account, or asked to complete identity verification before continuing.

These situations should not all be treated as the same problem.

Mercari uses a combination of account information, identity verification, transaction monitoring, security checks, and automated fraud-detection systems to protect its marketplace. In its second-half 2025 Transparency Report, Mercari reported 762,486 newly registered accounts restricted due to suspected fraudulent use, demonstrating how actively the platform screens new accounts and suspicious activity.

So, what should you do if your Mercari account is suspended or restricted?

The short answer is:

First determine what type of restriction you are experiencing. Then correct the underlying issue, complete any requested identity verification, and contact Mercari through the official inquiry process. Creating another account, repeatedly attempting to log in, or trying to bypass the restriction can make the situation worse.

This guide explains how to diagnose the problem and take the safest path toward restoring access.

Important: This article is an independent troubleshooting guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mercari. Mercari policies and account-review procedures may change, so always follow the latest instructions shown in your account and the official Mercari Help Center.

Is Your Mercari Account Suspended, Restricted, or Just Temporarily Locked?

Before trying to fix anything, identify what is actually happening.

People often search for “Mercari account suspended” even when the platform is showing a different type of limitation.

Mercari account usage restriction

A usage restriction means you may be able to access your account but cannot use some or all Mercari features.

Mercari’s official Help Center specifically refers to these situations as account usage restrictions. If restrictions have been placed on an account, Mercari may require the user to contact support and submit identity information before the restriction can be removed.

This is the situation most closely associated with searches such as:

• Mercari account restricted
• Mercari account suspended
• Mercari account banned
• Mercari account disabled
• Mercari account appeal

Temporary login restriction

A login restriction is not necessarily the same as an account suspension.

Mercari states that repeated failed login attempts within a short period can temporarily restrict login access for security reasons — even if the correct credentials are subsequently entered.

Mercari currently recommends waiting approximately 3–4 days before attempting to log in again in this situation.

Registration restriction

Some users encounter problems before they even finish creating an account.

For example, Mercari may display:

“Accounts cannot be registered when accessing Mercari Japan through a third party network.”

According to Mercari, this message may be related to the internet connection being used, including connections that route access through an external server.

This is a registration problem rather than evidence that an existing account has been permanently suspended.

Permanent or serious usage restriction

Mercari’s prohibited-conduct policy explains that repeated violations can lead to temporary or permanent usage restrictions.

It also notes that when an issue is considered serious or urgent, Mercari may impose usage restrictions at the time of the first warning rather than waiting for repeated violations.

That distinction matters because a technical login problem should be handled very differently from an enforcement action.

Why Is My Mercari Account Restricted?

There is no single reason every Mercari account becomes restricted.

The most useful approach is to compare your recent activity with Mercari’s official account requirements and the notice shown in your account.

Here are some of the most important issues to check.

1. Your identity information may not match your account

Identity consistency is particularly important on Mercari Japan.

When creating an account, Mercari tells users to enter their own personal information and enter their name exactly as it appears on their passport.

Mercari also states that the registered name and date of birth cannot be changed after account registration is completed.

Potential problems can therefore arise if you registered using:

• a nickname rather than your legal name;
• another person’s information;
• an incorrect date of birth;
• identity information that does not match your verification document.

If Mercari requests verification, differences between your account information and your identification may need to be explained.

This does not mean every name mismatch automatically results in suspension. It does mean that accurate account information makes identity verification significantly easier.

2. You created or used multiple Mercari accounts

Mercari Japan explicitly asks users to maintain one account per person.

Creating multiple accounts is listed among Mercari’s prohibited account activities. Mercari also prohibits using an account registered with someone else’s information, impersonating another person, using another person’s account, and transferring or selling accounts.

If your original account is restricted, creating another account is therefore not a safe recovery strategy.

It may create an additional Terms of Service issue rather than solving the original problem.

The better approach is to recover the existing account through Mercari’s official support process.

3. Mercari detected activity that requires additional review

Modern marketplaces continuously analyze transactions and account activity for fraud and abuse.

Mercari has publicly stated that it uses AI technology to detect and score suspicious activity and identify potentially fraudulent users.

Its second-half 2025 Transparency Report recorded:

Mercari also states that restrictions can be lifted when an account is determined not to be fraudulent after identity verification and communication.

The important takeaway is not that any single action will automatically trigger Mercari.

Instead, users should understand that unusual account or transaction activity may lead to additional verification or review.

4. Your account activity conflicts with Mercari’s marketplace rules

Some restrictions are straightforward enforcement actions.

Mercari’s prohibited-conduct rules include, among other things, activities involving false account information, unauthorized account use, certain prohibited purchasing behavior, suspicious money-laundering activity, improper payment methods, false shipping information, unjustified refund requests, and other violations of applicable rules or laws.

The appropriate solution in these cases is not a technical workaround.

Check the notification in your account, review the relevant policy, and respond honestly to Mercari if the company requests additional information.

5. Your registered country or region does not match where you reside

Mercari Japan’s international account system has geographic requirements.

Mercari states that users can only use the account associated with the country or region where they currently reside and that the country or region associated with a Mercari Japan account cannot simply be changed afterward.

Its system-requirements guidance also states that only residents of supported countries or regions can register, log in, and purchase items on Mercari Japan.

If your account problem started after moving countries, traveling, registering with the wrong region, or entering inconsistent location information, check whether your account still satisfies Mercari’s current regional requirements.

6. Your network connection is interfering with registration or login

Network problems deserve careful treatment because they are often misunderstood.

A VPN, proxy, or unusual network route does not automatically mean your Mercari account has been suspended.

However, Mercari does explicitly warn that certain network configurations can interfere with its service.

For login problems, Mercari says that using a VPN may cause login issues and recommends disabling VPN settings before trying again.

During registration, Mercari may display:

“Accounts cannot be registered when accessing Mercari Japan through a third party network.”

Mercari recommends checking whether the internet connection is routed through an external server and using Mercari Japan without going through external applications or similar services.

This distinction is important:

A network error is not automatically an account ban.

Before assuming your account has been suspended, test whether the problem still occurs on your normal connection and follow Mercari’s official troubleshooting instructions.

7. Too many login attempts triggered a temporary security lock

If your password is not working, repeatedly entering credentials is usually the wrong response.

Mercari says that continuous login failures over a certain period can temporarily restrict login access for security reasons.

Its official recommendation is to stop retrying and wait 3–4 days before attempting to log in again.

This can easily be mistaken for an account suspension.

If you can no longer log in immediately after many unsuccessful attempts, treat it as a login-security issue first.

8. Mercari detected an unfamiliar login or possible account-security issue

If someone else may have accessed your account, Mercari provides a login-history feature.

Users can review signed-in devices under the Security section and force unfamiliar devices to log out.

Mercari recommends contacting Customer Support if an unrecognized login appears in your history.

If you suspect account compromise, securing the account should take priority over trying to restore normal buying or selling activity.

How to Recover a Suspended or Restricted Mercari Account

Once you understand the likely cause, use a structured recovery process instead of trying random fixes.

Step 1: Read the notification inside Mercari

Start with the message Mercari actually sent you.

Look for:

My Page → Notifications / Notices

Depending on the type of restriction, Mercari may explain whether the issue involves identity verification, account information, security, prohibited conduct, or another review.

Do not rely only on an email subject line.

Mercari warns users about phishing messages and recommends verifying important notices through the official Mercari website or app rather than trusting links in suspicious emails or SMS messages.

Step 2: Determine whether you have an account restriction or a login problem

Ask one simple question:

Can you sign in?

If yes, but Mercari features are unavailable, you may be dealing with a usage restriction.

If no, troubleshoot login first.

Check:

• your registered email address;
• your password;
• SMS verification;
• whether a VPN is active;
• whether you recently made many unsuccessful login attempts.

Mercari recommends waiting 3–4 days after repeated failed login attempts before trying again.

Step 3: Prepare your correct account information

For restricted Mercari Japan accounts, Mercari currently asks users contacting the Help Center to provide information including:

Account name
Registered email address
Registered date of birth

If the information originally used during signup differs from your actual information, Mercari also asks for an explanation.

Do not invent an explanation or submit new information simply because it seems more likely to pass verification.

Consistency and accuracy matter.

Step 4: Prepare identity verification documents if requested

Mercari’s current restricted-account process may require a passport image.

Mercari specifies that the passport should generally be issued by Japan or the country/region used when the account was registered.

US citizens may also submit a passport card under the current guidance.

The image should show the relevant identification page clearly, including information such as:

• name;
• date of birth;
• photograph;
• passport number.

Mercari asks users to photograph the original valid document directly with a smartphone or similar camera.

Copies, scans, screenshots, edited images, images with covered information, blurry photos, or cropped documents may be rejected.

Step 5: Contact Mercari through the official inquiry form

If Mercari has placed usage restrictions on the account, the official Help Center directs users to its inquiry process.

Explain the issue clearly and concisely.

A useful support request should identify:

what happened → when it happened → what notice you received → what verification you have already completed → what you want Mercari to review.

Avoid sending multiple contradictory explanations.

If you made an error during registration — for example, using a nickname — say so clearly rather than trying to hide the discrepancy.

Step 6: Avoid changing multiple variables while the review is underway

One of the worst troubleshooting habits is changing everything at once.

For example:

new device → new email → new account → new network → repeated login attempts.

That creates more variables and makes it harder to understand the original problem.

If Mercari is reviewing your identity or account information, keep your legitimate account environment stable and follow the instructions provided by support.

What Should You Not Do After a Mercari Account Restriction?

Several reactions can make account recovery more difficult.

Do not immediately create another account

Mercari prohibits one person from registering multiple accounts. A replacement account can therefore introduce another policy problem.

Do not submit fake or borrowed identity documents

Mercari requires users to register using their own information and prohibits impersonation or accounts created with someone else’s information.

Do not keep retrying a failed login

Repeated attempts can trigger a temporary login-security restriction. If that happens, Mercari recommends waiting several days.

Do not assume changing your IP address removes an account restriction

Account enforcement can involve identity, account information, transaction history, device or security signals, and policy violations.

Changing the network does not reverse a Mercari usage restriction.

Do not trust “Mercari support” messages from unknown sources

Account restrictions create urgency, which makes affected users attractive targets for phishing.

Access Mercari directly through the official app or website instead of entering account information into links from unexpected messages.

Can a Proxy Fix a Mercari Account Suspension?

Usually, no.

This deserves a clear answer because there is a great deal of misleading information online.

A proxy changes the IP address through which internet traffic reaches a website. It does not change your Mercari account history, identity-verification status, registered personal information, transaction record, or policy status.

If Mercari has actually restricted your account, the correct solution is to resolve the account issue with Mercari.

In fact, Mercari’s own troubleshooting documentation says VPN connections may interfere with login, while certain third-party network configurations can prevent account registration.

So switching to a random proxy is not a sensible “unban” method.

Then when are proxies relevant?

Proxies are legitimate networking tools used for many purposes unrelated to bypassing account restrictions — including localization testing, market research, web data collection, SEO monitoring, ad verification, and testing how public web content appears from different regions.

For these applications, residential proxies use IP addresses associated with residential internet connections rather than traditional datacenter infrastructure.

QuarkIP, for example, provides residential proxy access across 200+ locations and supports country, state, and city targeting for legitimate localization and research workflows.

But if a marketplace explicitly instructs you to disable VPNs or third-party network routing during login or registration, follow the marketplace’s instructions.

A proxy service should never be treated as a replacement for account verification or an appeal process.

How to Reduce the Risk of Future Mercari Account Restrictions

No checklist can guarantee that an account will never be reviewed.

Mercari ultimately decides how its security and enforcement systems operate.

However, several basic practices reduce avoidable account problems.

Use one legitimate account

Mercari’s policy is one account per person.

If you lose access, recover the original account rather than creating replacements.

Register using accurate personal information

Use your real information and ensure your name matches your identification document.

This makes future verification easier.

Keep your country and account information consistent

Use the Mercari account associated with your actual country or region of residence.

Do not select a different region simply to access features unavailable where you live.

Keep login behavior predictable

If you forget your password, use Mercari’s official account-recovery methods rather than repeatedly guessing.

If Mercari temporarily limits login attempts, respect the waiting period.

Secure your account

Review login history when you see unfamiliar activity.

Remove unknown devices and contact Mercari if you suspect unauthorized access.

Follow marketplace rules

Review Mercari’s prohibited-conduct and purchasing policies before performing unusual transactions.

Technical troubleshooting cannot solve a genuine Terms of Service violation.

Mercari Account Restricted: A Practical Diagnostic Checklist

If you are unsure where to begin, use this sequence:

The biggest mistake is treating every row in this table as the same problem.

A Mercari restriction should be diagnosed before it is “fixed.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Mercari Account Suspensions

Why did Mercari suspend my account for no reason?

A restriction may feel unexplained if Mercari does not immediately provide detailed information.

Possible causes include identity verification, account-information inconsistencies, prohibited activity, suspicious account signals, or security checks.

Start by reviewing your Mercari notifications and contacting support rather than assuming the cause.

How do I appeal a Mercari account suspension?

For Mercari Japan usage restrictions, Mercari directs affected users to contact its Help Center through the inquiry form.

You may need to provide your account name, registered email, date of birth, an explanation for any incorrect registration information, and a valid passport image.

How long does a Mercari restriction last?

There is no universal duration.

A temporary login restriction caused by repeated failed login attempts may require a waiting period of approximately 3–4 days, according to Mercari’s current login guidance.

Usage restrictions related to identity verification or policy review may follow a different timeline.

Can I make another Mercari account if mine is suspended?

You should not create another account to bypass a restriction.

Mercari Japan explicitly states that users should maintain one account per person and lists possession of multiple accounts as prohibited conduct.

Recover the original account through the official process instead.

Does Mercari require identity verification to remove an account restriction?

It can.

Mercari’s current Help Center guidance for restricted Mercari Japan accounts states that users seeking removal of usage restrictions need to submit a passport image.

The exact requirements shown to you should always take priority because account circumstances and policies can change.

Why can’t I log in to Mercari even with the correct password?

Possible causes include verification problems, VPN usage, or a temporary security restriction triggered by repeated unsuccessful login attempts.

Mercari recommends disabling VPN settings and, following repeated login failures, waiting 3–4 days before trying again.

Why does Mercari say I am using a third-party network?

Mercari states that this registration error may be related to an internet connection configured to access the service through an external server.

It recommends checking the connection with your ISP and using Mercari Japan without external applications or similar services.

Will changing my IP address unban my Mercari account?

No reliable evidence suggests that simply changing your IP address removes an official Mercari account restriction.

If Mercari requests identity verification or places a usage restriction on your account, follow the official recovery process.

A different network connection cannot change your account’s verification or enforcement status.

Can Mercari permanently restrict an account?

Yes.

Mercari states that prohibited conduct may result in temporary or permanent usage restrictions. Serious or urgent cases may receive restrictions immediately rather than only after repeated warnings.

Final Thoughts

Seeing a Mercari account suspended or Mercari account restricted message can be frustrating, but the first step should not be searching for a shortcut.

Start by identifying the exact type of problem.

A login lock after repeated failed attempts is different from an identity-verification request. A third-party network registration error is different from a policy enforcement action. And a genuine account restriction cannot be reliably solved simply by changing devices, IP addresses, or creating another account.

Mercari’s current system places significant emphasis on identity verification, accurate account information, marketplace safety, and fraud detection.

The safest recovery strategy is therefore straightforward:

Use your legitimate account, verify your identity when requested, correct any genuine account-information issue, secure your login environment, and communicate with Mercari through the official Help Center.

That approach may not sound like a shortcut — but it is far more likely to restore legitimate account access without creating new problems.