With the launch of Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict, Grinding Gear Games has overhauled the trade system in a major way. One of the biggest changes is the introduction of the asynchronous trade system, which allows players to buy and sell items without having to be online at the same time or interact directly with other players. This change makes trading smoother and more convenient for everyone-but it also introduced a brand-new type of stash tab: the Merchant's Tab.

If you want to list your items for sale in Path of Exile 2, you'll need at least one Merchant's Tab. These are available in the in-game microtransaction store for 40 points. Before this change, Premium Tabs were the standard for Path of Exile 2 trade, acting as the primary method for putting items up for sale on the official trade site. However, now that Merchant's Tabs exist, Premium Tabs are no longer necessary for trading purposes.

To ease the transition, Grinding Gear Games has allowed players to convert their existing Premium Tabs into Merchant's Tabs free of cost. If you've invested in Premium Tabs over the years, you don't need to spend again-simply upgrade them. This guide will walk you through exactly how to convert Premium Tabs into Merchant's Tabs in Path of Exile 2, along with the rules, restrictions, and tips you should know.

Why Merchant's Tabs Matter in Path of Exile 2

In Path of Exile 1, Premium Tabs were a necessity if you wanted to participate in trade. You could price items directly in your stash tab, and they would show up on the official trade site, where other players could search and whisper you to arrange the deal.

Path of Exile 2 has streamlined this process. Instead of needing to be online at the same time, the asynchronous system lets buyers purchase your listed items directly through the trade marketplace. Sellers no longer have to accept whispers, open portals, or manually trade items.

However, to take advantage of this, you need a Merchant's Tab. These tabs function like Premium Tabs but are designed specifically for asynchronous listing. Without one, you can browse items and buy Path of Exile 2 Items from others, but you won't be able to sell your own loot.

That's why converting your Premium Tabs is such a valuable option-it saves you Path of Exile 2 Currency and allows you to keep participating in the game's economy.

How to Convert a Premium Tab into a Merchant's Tab

The process to convert your Premium Tabs is quick and straightforward. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Visit the official Path of Exile 2 website.

Open your browser and go to the Path of Exile website.

2. Sign in to your account.

Use your credentials to log in with the account that owns the Premium Tabs you wish to convert.

3. Navigate to your Account page.

Once signed in, click on your account name in the top-right corner and select “My Account” from the dropdown menu.

4. Find the Merchant's Tab Upgrade section.

Inside the account settings, scroll down until you locate the section specifically labeled Merchant's Tab Upgrade.

5. Check your Eligible Premium Tabs.

The site will show a list of Premium Tabs that can be converted. Not all of your Premium Tabs may qualify-more on this in the restrictions section below.

6. Select Upgrade to Merchant's Tab.

Next to your eligible tab, click the button labeled Upgrade to Merchant's Tab.

7. Confirm your choice.

A confirmation box will appear asking you to finalize the upgrade. Select Upgrade to Merchant's Tab once again.

8. Start selling items in-game.

Once converted, your tab will now function as a Merchant's Tab in Path of Exile 2, allowing you to list items directly on the trade marketplace.

Important Note:

After conversion, the tab will no longer function as a Premium Tab in Path of Exile 1. Until official support for Merchant's Tabs is added to PoE1, you won't be able to use them there. If you still actively play both games, keep this in mind before upgrading.

Merchant's Tab Conversion Restrictions

While the upgrade process is free and straightforward, not all Premium Tabs are eligible for conversion. Grinding Gear Games set some important restrictions:

1. Only certain Premium Tabs are eligible.

Tabs that were direct purchases from the store, such as Premium Tabs, can be converted.

2. Upgraded regular tabs are not eligible.

If you bought a regular stash tab and later upgraded it to Premium, it cannot be converted into a Merchant's Tab.

3. Purchase date matters.

Only Premium Tabs bought before Patch 0.3 are eligible for conversion. If you bought new Premium Tabs after that update, they will remain Premium and cannot be converted.

4. Premium Tabs still exist.

You can still buy Premium Tabs for Path of Exile 2, but they no longer enable trade. They're primarily for organization now, letting you color-label tabs, rename them, and manage your stash better.

In short: not every Premium Tab you own can be turned into a Merchant's Tab. Check your account carefully to see which ones qualify before deciding to upgrade.

Should You Convert Your Premium Tabs?

For most players, the answer is yes. If you want to trade in Path of Exile 2, you'll need a Merchant's Tab anyway, and converting eligible Premium Tabs saves you from spending additional points.

However, there are a couple of cases where you might want to hold off:

1. If you still actively play Path of Exile 1.

Once a Premium Tab is converted, it won't work in PoE1 until Merchant's Tab support is officially rolled out. If you rely on your Premium Tabs in PoE1 for trading, you may want to delay conversion.

2. If you only use Premium Tabs for stash organization.

Premium Tabs offer cosmetic stash improvements like renaming and coloring. Merchant's Tabs are trade-focused, so if you don't plan to sell items in PoE2, there's no need to convert.

For everyone else, converting is a no-brainer and ensures you're ready to fully participate in PoE2's trade ecosystem.

Tips for Using Merchant's Tabs Effectively

Once you've converted and set up your Merchant's Tab, here are some tips to get the most out of it:

1. Price-check items before listing.

The PoE2 marketplace will likely fluctuate as the economy stabilizes. Use community tools and check recent sales to avoid overpricing or underpricing.

2. Organize your Merchant's Tabs.

Just like Premium Tabs, Merchant's Tabs can be renamed and organized. Keep your high-value items separate from bulk listings for easier management.

3. Keep items rotating.

The market in Path of Exile tends to move quickly. If your items aren't selling, consider adjusting your prices or swapping them out for more desirable loot.

4. Leverage the asynchronous system.

You don't need to babysit your stash anymore-once listed, items will sell automatically. Focus your playtime on farming rather than waiting for trade whispers.

Final Thoughts

The shift from Premium Tabs to Merchant's Tabs marks a huge step forward in Path of Exile 2's trading system. The asynchronous design cuts down on wasted time and makes the in-game economy much more accessible to both casual and hardcore players.

By allowing free conversion of older Premium Tabs into Merchant's Tabs, Grinding Gear Games has provided long-time supporters with a way to transition smoothly into the new system without extra costs. While there are some restrictions-such as ineligibility for upgraded regular tabs and loss of use in Path of Exile 1-most players will find the upgrade process well worth it.

If you plan on selling items in Path of Exile 2, converting your Premium Tabs should be one of the first things you do. It's quick, free, and essential for anyone who wants to thrive in the evolving trade economy of Wraeclast.