How to Convert Merchant Tabs in Path of Exile 2 March 2026
How to convert merchant tabs in Path of Exile 2? You can convert eligible premium stash tabs purchased before August 29, 2025 into merchant tabs for free through your account’s stash tab management page, enabling asynchronous trading in PoE2.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about merchant tab conversion from my experience with Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict expansion patch, including eligibility requirements, step-by-step conversion instructions, and critical cross-game considerations that many players overlook.
| Conversion Type | Key Benefit | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Premium to Merchant | Free conversion | Purchased before Aug 29, 2025 |
| New Merchant Tab | Full functionality | 40 points per tab |
| Bundle Purchase | 20% savings | 200 points for 6 tabs |
What Are Merchant Tabs and Why Convert?
Merchant tabs represent the biggest trading revolution I’ve seen in Path of Exile 2 since launch. Unlike traditional premium tabs that only let you list items on external websites, merchant tabs enable asynchronous trading directly through the NPC Ange in your hideout. I can finally sell items while I’m offline or busy farming, and buyers can complete transactions instantly without waiting for me to respond.
The system launched with patch 0.3.0 on August 29, 2026, fundamentally changing how we trade in Path of Exile 2. Instead of constantly alt-tabbing to check trade messages or interrupting my mapping sessions, I now list items in merchant tabs and let Ange handle the transactions automatically. The gold I earn from sales appears when I next log in, making the entire process seamless.
What makes merchant tabs particularly valuable is the in-game market browser integration. Buyers can search for items directly from their game client, see real-time availability, and purchase instantly if they have the required gold. This eliminates the frustration I’ve experienced countless times when sellers don’t respond or are already in difficult content. For players who enjoy RPGs where items really matter, this trading system revolution changes everything.
Eligibility Requirements – Critical Information
Before attempting any conversion, I need to stress the importance of understanding eligibility requirements. I’ve seen too many players disappointed after discovering their tabs don’t qualify, so let me break down exactly what makes a premium tab eligible for free conversion.
Qualifying Premium Tabs
Your premium tabs must meet these specific criteria for free conversion:
- Purchase date before August 29, 2025 – This is non-negotiable and based on Grinding Gear Games’ official FAQ
- Direct premium tab purchases only – Basic tabs upgraded to premium using the 10-point upgrade option do NOT qualify
- Account-bound verification – The system checks your purchase history automatically
- No time limit on conversion – If eligible, you can convert anytime after patch 0.3.0
I discovered through community reports that many players who upgraded basic tabs to premium were caught off-guard by this restriction. The system only recognizes tabs originally purchased as premium tabs, not those upgraded later, regardless of when the upgrade occurred. This is similar to how free co-op games on Steam handle premium features – the original purchase method matters.
Non-Qualifying Tabs
These tabs cannot be converted to merchant tabs:
- Premium tabs purchased after August 29, 2026
- Basic tabs upgraded to premium (regardless of upgrade date)
- Specialized tabs (Currency, Map, Fragment, etc.)
- Quad tabs (these remain as quad premium tabs)
Step-by-Step Conversion Process
I’ll walk you through the exact conversion process I used for my eligible premium tabs. The system is straightforward once you know where to look, but missing a step can cause confusion.
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility
First, I logged into my Path of Exile account on the official website. Navigate to your account page and check your microtransaction history. Look for premium stash tab purchases dated before August 29, 2026. Make note of how many eligible tabs you have – this prevents confusion during the conversion process.
Step 2: Access the Stash Tab Management
From your account page, locate the “Manage Stash Tabs” option. This section displays all your stash tabs across both Path of Exile 1 and Path of Exile 2. I found the interface clearly marks which tabs are eligible for conversion with a special indicator.
Step 3: Select Tabs for Conversion
The conversion interface presents eligible premium tabs with a “Convert to Merchant Tab” button. I carefully selected which tabs to convert, keeping in mind that converted tabs become unavailable in Path of Exile 1 until Grinding Gear Games implements the merchant system there (no confirmed date as of March 2026). This decision impacts your ability to participate in events like the Path of Exile 2 Boss Rush event if you need cross-game trading capability.
Step 4: Confirm the Conversion
The system displays a clear warning about the cross-game implications. After reading and understanding that these tabs will be merchant-only tabs in Path of Exile 2 and temporarily unavailable in Path of Exile 1, I confirmed the conversion. The process completes instantly.
Step 5: Verify in Game
I immediately logged into Path of Exile 2 to verify the conversion. The merchant tabs appeared in my stash with the distinctive merchant tab border and functionality. They’re ready to use with NPC Ange for asynchronous trading right away.
Alternative: Purchasing New Merchant Tabs
If your premium tabs don’t qualify for conversion, or you need additional merchant tabs, purchasing new ones directly is your option. Based on my analysis of the pricing structure, here’s what you need to know:
Individual Purchase Option
A single merchant tab costs 40 points (approximately $4 USD). This is the same price as a premium tab, making it a straightforward choice for new purchases. I recommend this option if you only need 1-2 merchant tabs for casual trading.
Bundle Purchase for Value
The 6-tab merchant bundle costs 200 points, saving you 40 points compared to individual purchases. That’s essentially getting one free tab with the bundle. For serious traders like myself who list hundreds of items, the bundle provides better value and ensures adequate trading capacity.
Strategic Purchase Timing
Based on Path of Exile’s historical sale patterns, I expect stash tab sales approximately every 3-4 weeks. During these sales, tab prices typically drop by 15-20%. If you’re not in a rush, waiting for a sale can stretch your points further. The community generally expects the first merchant tab sale within 4-6 weeks of launch.
Using Your Merchant Tabs with NPC Ange
Once you have merchant tabs, understanding how to use them effectively makes a massive difference in your trading success. I’ve refined my approach through extensive testing since patch 0.3.0.
Setting Up Your Merchant Tabs
Visit Ange in your hideout and interact with her to access merchant tab management. Each merchant tab can hold items for sale just like premium tabs, but with the crucial difference that Ange handles all transactions automatically. I organize my tabs by item type – one for currency exchanges, one for unique items, and others for rare gear. This organization strategy works well across different action RPGs with weapon variety, including Path of Exile 2’s extensive gear system.
Pricing Your Items
The pricing system uses gold as the universal currency. I set prices by right-clicking items in merchant tabs and entering the gold amount. The market browser immediately reflects these listings, making them available to all players searching for similar items. I’ve found that competitive pricing based on current market rates leads to faster sales.
Understanding Transaction Fees
Ange charges a small gold fee for each transaction, which scales with the item’s price. From my testing, the fee ranges from 1-5% depending on the total transaction value. Factor this into your pricing strategy, especially for high-value items where the fee can be substantial.
Cross-Game Considerations for PoE1 and PoE2 Players
As someone who actively plays both Path of Exile 1 and 2, I had to carefully consider the implications of tab conversion. Here’s my strategic approach to managing tabs across both games:
The Temporary Loss in PoE1
Converting premium tabs to merchant tabs removes them from Path of Exile 1 immediately. Grinding Gear Games confirmed they’re working on implementing the merchant system in PoE1, but provided no timeline. If you’re actively trading in both games, I recommend converting only a portion of your eligible tabs initially. This is especially important if you plan to participate in upcoming events like those covered in free RPGs coming in 2025.
Optimal Tab Distribution Strategy
My approach involves keeping 2-3 premium tabs unconverted for Path of Exile 1 trading while converting the rest for Path of Exile 2’s superior system. This maintains trading capability in both games while maximizing the benefits of asynchronous trading where it’s available.
Future System Integration
Based on developer communications, when merchant tabs eventually arrive in Path of Exile 1, your converted tabs will become available there with full merchant functionality. This means the temporary inconvenience will eventually become a long-term advantage across both games.
Cost Optimization Strategies
Through extensive testing and community collaboration, I’ve developed several cost optimization strategies for different player situations:
For Budget-Conscious Players
If you have limited points, focus on converting existing eligible premium tabs first. Even a single merchant tab dramatically improves your trading experience compared to none. I started with just one converted tab and found it sufficient for casual trading during my first weeks with the new system.
For Serious Traders
Serious traders should consider the merchant tab bundle during a sale. The combination of bulk discount and sale pricing can save 30-35% compared to individual purchases at full price. I maintain 6-8 merchant tabs for high-volume trading, allowing me to list diverse items across different price points. This strategy has proven valuable across different gaming platforms, similar to optimizing inventory in multiplayer PS5 games where efficient resource management matters.
Mixed Strategy Approach
My recommended approach combines conversion and strategic purchasing: convert all eligible premium tabs first, then purchase additional merchant tabs during sales as needed. This maximizes your existing investment while building trading capacity efficiently.
Troubleshooting Common Conversion Issues
During my conversion process and helping other players, I’ve encountered several common issues with straightforward solutions:
Tabs Not Showing as Eligible
If tabs you believe should be eligible aren’t showing conversion options, verify the purchase date in your transaction history. Remember that only direct premium tab purchases qualify – upgraded basic tabs will never show as eligible regardless of when you upgraded them.
Conversion Button Missing
Some players report the conversion button not appearing even for eligible tabs. I’ve found that clearing browser cache and cookies, then logging back into the Path of Exile website resolves this issue in most cases. If problems persist, contact support with your purchase history.
Tabs Not Appearing in Game
After conversion, if merchant tabs don’t appear in Path of Exile 2, completely exit the game client and restart. The game sometimes needs a fresh login to recognize account changes. I’ve never seen this issue persist after a client restart.
Future Updates and Trading System Evolution
Based on developer communications and the recent Path of Exile 2 free weekend event, I expect continued improvements to the merchant tab system. Grinding Gear Games has shown remarkable responsiveness to community feedback about trading mechanics.
The roadmap suggests potential features including advanced search filters, automated repricing tools, and possibly integration with guild stash systems. While these aren’t confirmed, the developer’s track record of iterative improvements gives me confidence that merchant tabs will become even more powerful over time. These updates align with trends I’ve observed in other dark fantasy MMORPGs where trading systems continuously evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert quad premium tabs to merchant tabs?
No, quad tabs cannot be converted to merchant tabs. The conversion system only works with standard-sized premium tabs. Quad tabs remain as premium quad tabs for traditional listing purposes.
Will converted tabs ever return to Path of Exile 1?
Yes, Grinding Gear Games confirmed that converted tabs will become available in Path of Exile 1 once they implement the merchant system there. However, they haven’t provided a timeline for this implementation as of March 2026.
Do merchant tabs work with all item types?
Merchant tabs work with most tradeable items including currency, equipment, maps, and fragments. However, certain league-specific items or account-bound items cannot be listed for trade regardless of tab type.
Can I convert merchant tabs back to premium tabs?
Currently, there’s no option to reverse the conversion. Once a premium tab becomes a merchant tab, it remains that way permanently. Consider this carefully before converting, especially if you actively play Path of Exile 1.
Do I lose items when converting tabs?
No, the conversion process only affects empty tabs. The system prevents you from converting tabs containing items. Move all items to other tabs before attempting conversion to avoid any issues.
How many merchant tabs do I really need?
From my experience, casual players need 1-2 merchant tabs, regular players benefit from 3-4, and serious traders should aim for 6+ tabs. Your needs depend on how actively you trade and the variety of items you typically sell. This is similar to inventory management in competitive games covered in seasonal gaming content where efficient resource allocation determines success.
Conclusion
Converting premium tabs to merchant tabs in Path of Exile 2 represents a significant quality of life improvement for traders. Whether you’re converting eligible tabs or purchasing new ones, the asynchronous trading system through NPC Ange eliminates the frustrations of traditional player-to-player trading.
Remember to verify your eligibility carefully before attempting conversion, especially noting the August 29, 2026 cutoff date and the restriction on upgraded basic tabs. For those actively playing both Path of Exile games, consider a mixed approach that maintains some trading capability in PoE1 while embracing the superior merchant system in PoE2.
The merchant tab system will likely evolve with future updates, but getting started now positions you to take full advantage of Path of Exile 2’s trading revolution. Check your premium tab eligibility today and join the growing community of players enjoying hassle-free asynchronous trading.