Will using a VPN get my Mercari account banned?

Yes. VPN use is explicitly banned in Mercari's Terms of Service. The AI system flags accounts that log in from IP addresses that do not match the registered Japanese address. Disable your VPN completely before opening the Mercari app.

Can I use a foreign credit card on Mercari?

Mercari Japan accepts most international Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards. However, cards registered at a foreign address may trigger verification checks. Using a Japanese bank card or Japanese credit card avoids this friction entirely.

My Mercari account was suspended as a foreigner. What do I do?

First, check the notification email for the ban reason. Then submit a reinstatement request through the in-app help center explaining your situation and providing identity verification documents. Response time is typically 3–7 business days. If the suspension is due to a VPN or address mismatch, acknowledge it clearly in your request.

Does my Japanese address need to match my phone number for Mercari?

Yes. The address you register must be your actual Japanese address where you can receive packages and identity verification mail. Mismatches between registered address, payment card address, and delivery history trigger AI flags. Keep all three consistent.

Why Mercari Banned 762,486 Accounts (And How Foreigners Can Avoid It) [2026]

Q: Can foreigners use Mercari in Japan?

Yes. Mercari is available to anyone with a Japanese address and a Japanese phone number for verification. You do not need to be a Japanese citizen. However, you do need to complete identity verification (本人確認) with a valid ID to access all features.

The 762,486 Figure — What It Actually Means

Mercari published its Transparency Report for H2 2025 in February 2026. The headline number: 762,486 account restrictions, up 58% from H1 2025. This is not mainly fraud prevention — it includes "preventive suspensions" (予防的停止) where accounts are frozen before any violation occurs, based purely on AI risk scores.

762,486

Accounts restricted

H2 2025

+58%

Year-over-year increase

vs H2 2024

56.5M

Listings removed

TOS violations

10 Triggers That Get Accounts Banned

Prohibited keywords in listings

Brand names used incorrectly, medical/health claims, counterfeit signals

High cancellation rate

More than 3 cancellations per month is a risk signal

VPN or IP anomaly

Non-Japanese IP address does not match registered address

Repeated late shipping

Missing the stated shipping deadline multiple times

Multiple accounts from same device

Mercari detects device fingerprints — multi-account is banned

Suspicious account activity patterns

Rapid listing of many similar items, unusual login hours

Identity verification failure

Documents that don't match registered information

Payment method anomalies

Card address doesn't match account address

Negative feedback accumulation

Good rating drops below 95% raises risk score

Selling restricted item categories

Items that require licensing (knives, chemicals, pharmaceuticals)

Foreigner-Specific Risks

Beyond the standard triggers, foreign sellers face additional pitfalls that most Japanese users never encounter:

VPN Use

Critical

Many expats use VPNs habitually. On Mercari, any VPN use is a Terms of Service violation and a top ban trigger. The AI flags logins from IPs that don't geolocation-match your registered address.

Fix: Disable VPN entirely before opening the Mercari app. This is non-negotiable.

Address Inconsistency

High

Foreigners often have complex address situations — a home country billing address for their credit card, a Japanese apartment address, and a workplace address. When these don't align in Mercari's records, it triggers verification flags.

Fix: Use the same address everywhere: Mercari profile, payment card, and shipping address. Use your Japanese address for everything.

Phone Number Verification

High

Mercari requires a Japanese phone number (080/090/070 numbers). Foreign SIM-only numbers don't work. Some MVNO (格安SIM) numbers work, others don't depending on the carrier.

Fix: Use a Japanese carrier number (docomo, SoftBank, au, or major MVNOs like IIJmio, OCN). If your MVNO number doesn't work for verification, switch carriers.

Identity Verification (本人確認)

Medium

Mercari requires ID verification for certain features. Foreigners must use their Residence Card (在留カード) or My Number Card (マイナンバーカード). Driver's licenses from other countries are not accepted.

Fix: Complete identity verification with your Residence Card early, before you need it for a high-value transaction.

3 Defense Strategies for Foreign Sellers

Complete identity verification on day one

Go to Settings → Identity Verification → use your Residence Card or My Number Card. Do this before your first listing. Unverified accounts have lower trust scores from the start.

Use Mercari's integrated shipping exclusively

らくらくメルカリ便 (Yamato) and ゆうゆうメルカリ便 (Japan Post) provide anonymous delivery, tracking, and buyer protection. Regular postal mail does not. This also protects you from shipping disputes.

Keep your listing descriptions clean

Use the NGワードチェッカー (NGWord Checker) before listing. Avoid all brand names you don't own, health claims, and vague descriptions of origin. Non-Japanese sellers sometimes unknowingly use restricted keywords.

If Your Account Gets Banned

Step one: don't create a new account. Mercari detects device fingerprints — a new account from the same phone will be immediately flagged and banned, making your situation worse.

→1. Check your registered email for the ban notification — it states the category of violation.

→2. Go to app → Help → Contact Us → Account restrictions.

→3. Write your appeal. Include: your identity documents, a clear explanation of what happened, and a specific request to restore access.

→4. Wait 3–7 business days for a response. Do not submit multiple appeals — they reset the queue.

→5. If the appeal fails: contact the Consumer Affairs Agency (消費者庁) if you believe the ban was in error.

FAQ

Q.Can foreigners use Mercari in Japan?

A.Yes — anyone with a Japanese address and Japanese phone number can sell. Identity verification requires a Residence Card or My Number Card.

Q.Will using a VPN get my account banned?

A.Yes. VPN use is explicitly banned in Mercari's Terms of Service. Disable it completely before using the app.

Q.Can I use a foreign credit card?

A.Most international cards work, but cards with non-Japanese billing addresses may trigger verification checks. A Japanese card avoids this friction.

Q.My account was suspended. What do I do?

A.Don't create a new account. Submit an appeal through the in-app help center with your identity documents. Response takes 3–7 business days.

Q.Does my address need to match everywhere?

A.Yes. Keep the same Japanese address in your Mercari profile, payment card, and shipping address. Mismatches trigger AI flags.

Sources

1. Mercari Japan Transparency Report H2 2025 — published February 2026
2. Nikkei Shimbun — "Mercari restricted 762k accounts in H2 2025 using AI monitoring"
3. Mercari Terms of Service — VPN restrictions and prohibited activities
4. Mercari Help Center — identity verification process for foreign residents

→ Tax Guide for Foreign Sellers in Japan [2026]→ Top 7 Mercari Scams Targeting Foreigners → Survival Guide — Unwritten Rules for Japanese Flea Markets