Buff163 Review – Is Buff163 Legit?
Overview and History
Buff164 is one of the largest third-party marketplaces for CS2 skins, Rust skins, TF2 skins, and Dota 2 skins, with a huge trading volume and some of the lowest prices across the global market. However, as of June 2023, Buff163 primarily caters to Chinese users. While international users can technically browse listings, they face significant restrictions and cannot add or withdraw funds without a Chinese passport.
Buff163 operates entirely as a peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplace, meaning that trades occur directly between buyers and sellers without the skins ever going to the site itself. This structure allows users to list their items on multiple marketplaces simultaneously. However, non-Chinese users face hurdles in accessing the platform’s core functionalities, making alternatives like CSFloat preferable for global traders.
Experience, Fees, and Limits
Buying Skins on Buff163:
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1Go to Buff163. Be careful to use the correct link and avoid scam sites that impersonate Buff.
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2Navigate through buff163’s extensive inventory of CS2 and Dota 2 skins.
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3Click on a listing to view detailed information, including pricing history and a comparison to Steam Community Market prices.
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4Note that only Chinese users can deposit funds via Alipay or WeChat Pay.
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5If eligible, proceed with payment and wait for the seller to approve the trade. Then, wait for the trade offer to come and accept the skins into your Steam inventory.
Selling Skins on Buff163:
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1Click sell and select the skins you want to sell
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2Use Buff163’s price history and market trends to determine a competitive price. You can automatically make your item the cheapest on the marketplace or sell instantly to the highest buy order.
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3When a buyer purchases your skin, you must manually approve the transaction and send the trade offer, then confirm the trade offer in your Steam Mobile Authenticator.
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4Chinese users will receive payments in their Buff163 account balance, which can be withdrawn to a Chinese bank account. You must have a Chinese passport and phone number to withdraw.
Fees and Limits
Traffic and Popularity
BUFF163 remains a dominant player in the skin trading market, though its recent shift toward exclusivity for Chinese users has impacted its global appeal. Key statistics include:
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1.9 million monthly site visits (via SimilarWeb)
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3.3 million listed offers
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Total market value exceeding $150 million
Despite these figures, non-Chinese users have increasingly migrated to alternative marketplaces due to access restrictions.
Ownership & Licenses
BUFF163 is owned by NetEase Inc., a major Chinese internet technology company. The platform adheres to strict Chinese regulatory standards, including Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification, which requires users to link their accounts to a verified Chinese identity and phone number. Due to these regulations, BUFF163 is unsuitable for non-Chinese citizens, as they cannot add or withdraw funds.