Trading Post Basics
Black Lion Trading Company
At a glance
Sellers pay 5% when listing and 10% when an item sells. If you can wait, place a lower buy order. When selling, compare instant-sell prices with listings. Collect completed purchases and proceeds from the delivery box.
What is the Trading Post?
The Trading Post is part of the Black Lion Trading Company panel. Players in NA and EU share the market. Buy and sell orders remain until filled or canceled.
Open it from anywhere
Press O or click the lion-head icon at the top left of the screen. You do not need to visit a city to browse or place orders.
However, to collect purchased items and sale proceeds, visit a Black Lion Trader. See the delivery box section below.
However, to collect purchased items and sale proceeds, visit a Black Lion Trader. See the delivery box section below.
Transaction limits
- Each transaction can buy or sell up to 250 units.
- Listing too many items in a short period can trigger a rate limit.
Free accounts can trade only selected items
Free accounts may trade only items on the permitted list . Restricted items appear gray with a lock icon in the Trading Post.
Permitted items include raw logs and ore, selected materials, and some crafted equipment. Equipment must be on the permitted list, which includes some Berserker items. Unidentified Dye is allowed. Trading restrictions lift five days after applying an expansion to the account.
Permitted items include raw logs and ore, selected materials, and some crafted equipment. Equipment must be on the permitted list, which includes some Berserker items. Unidentified Dye is allowed. Trading restrictions lift five days after applying an expansion to the account.
Understand the fees before selling
Only sellers pay fees. Buyers pay no separate fee. The listing and exchange fees each have a minimum of 1 copper, so very cheap items can cost more than 15% in fees.
Seller fees
Listing fee
5%
Charged immediately, with no refund
Exchange fee
10%
Deducted when the sale completes
Total
15%
You keep 85% of the sale price
Canceling a listing does not refund the 5%
Canceling returns the item, but not the listing fee. Relisting charges another 5%, so check the price before placing an order.
Example: selling an item for 1 gold
Listed sale price1 gold, or 100 silver
Listing fee: −5%−5 silver
Exchange fee: −10%−10 silver
Net proceeds after both fees85 silver: 90 silver delivered, minus the 5 silver paid when listing
Four ways to trade
Buy order
Offer the price you want to pay
Your gold is held while the order waits for someone to sell to it. You can offer a price below the instant-buy price, but a seller must accept that price before the order fills.
Buy instantly
Purchase the quantity you need, starting with the lowest current sell orders
Without waiting for a new seller, the purchase completes and items enter your delivery box. You usually pay more than a lower buy order. Use this when you need the item now.
Sell order
List an item at your chosen price
Your item stays listed until someone buys it. Waiting may let you sell at a higher price. If there is no buyer, the listing remains open.
Sell instantly
Sell the quantity you want, starting with the highest current buy orders
Without waiting for a new buyer, the sale completes and gold enters your delivery box. You usually receive less than a higher listing, and the same seller fees apply.
Choosing a sell price
You can match the lowest current listing. If you want to undercut it, compare a reduction of 1 copper, or 0.01 silver . Buyers purchase the lowest-priced listings first. Canceling and relisting costs another 5%, so do not keep chasing every price change.
Delivery box: collect completed trades
Purchased items and sale proceeds accumulate in your delivery box. Orders can fill while you are offline. Collect everything together when you next visit a trader.
| Collection method | Details |
|---|---|
| Black Lion Trader NPC | NPCs in major cities and lounges. Interact to access your delivery box |
| Trading Post Express: single use | Summons a Black Lion Delivery Agent for 15 minutes, allowing you and nearby players to collect deliveries. Use the free city NPCs first when convenient |
| Permanent Trading Post Express Contract | Reusable premium item that summons a personal trader for five minutes. A very rare Black Lion Chest drop |
Look for the Trading Post notification
A yellow notification dot on the lion-head icon at the top left indicates items or gold awaiting collection.
Gold and gem exchange
Open Currency Exchange in the Black Lion Trading Company. The rates differ in each direction, and converting back loses gold. Check the displayed payment and final amount received before exchanging. Rates change with supply and demand.
Items you cannot sell
Check an item’s binding status before selling it.
| Binding type | Trading Post sale | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Unbound | Allowed | Tradeable items can be listed through the sell menu |
| Account bound | Not allowed | Can be transferred between your own characters, but not sold on the Trading Post |
| Soulbound | Not allowed | Bound to that character; cannot be traded or mailed |
| Soulbound on use | Before it becomes bound | Tradeable items can be sold before equipping, using, or otherwise binding them. Check the tooltip for the trigger |
Common items that cannot be sold
- Equipment purchased with karma
- Account-bound items from quests or achievements
- Most special currency items, such as Black Lion Statuettes
- Items in invisible bags are hidden from sell lists. Move an item to a normal bag before selling it
External market tools
Use these sites for more detailed market information.
| Site | Main features |
|---|---|
| GW2TP | Historical price graphs, trading opportunities, and gem exchange calculations |
| GW2Efficiency | With an API key: your transactions, delivery box, and total account value |
| GW2BLTC | Crafting cost and sale price comparisons, plus an item database |
Using gw2efficiency
View transactions, deliveries, and account value with an API key
Key Trading Post tips
Calculate your net proceeds first
Seller fees normally total 15%. Before lowering a listing, check that sale price × 0.85 still meets your target after fees.
Use buy orders when you can wait
When buying equipment or materials, a buy order usually costs less than buying instantly. Timing depends on your price and trading volume; an unattractive offer may remain unfilled.
Repeated relisting adds up
Each new listing charges another 5%. Choose your initial price with that cost in mind.
Orders work while you are offline
Your orders can fill while the game is closed. Check the delivery box when you return.