Whether you’re a new exile in Wraeclast or a veteran returning for a fresh Path of Exile league, trading efficiently is key to progressing and improving your build. The official Path of Exile Trade website, also known as the PoE Trade Site, is one of the most powerful tools for buying and selling items. Understanding how to use it properly can save you countless hours and currency. In this guide, we’ll break down the essential features of the PoE Trade Site so you can trade like a pro from day one.
TL;DR
The PoE Trade Site is the official trading platform for Path of Exile, allowing players to search for and list items. By learning how to use filters and search functions effectively, you can find the best items at the best prices. Understanding pricing, bulk trades, and whisper macros helps avoid scams and wasted time. Bookmark the site and familiarize yourself with the interface to level up your trading game.
1. Accessing the PoE Trade Site
The official trade site can be found at: https://www.pathofexile.com/trade. Make sure you’re logged into your Path of Exile account for the best experience. Once there, you’ll be presented with a clean interface offering item search, bulk item exchange (for currencies and essences), and listing tools if you have items you want to sell.
2. Understanding the Interface
The home page has two primary options:
- Search Listed Items – Used to find specific gear, currency, and crafting materials.
- Bulk Item Exchange – Used mostly for trading large quantities of currency items like Chaos Orbs, Exalted Orbs, and Essences.
Begin by selecting the current league (e.g., Crucible, Affliction), located in the top-left. This is critical, as trade listings are separated by league.
3. Searching for Items
Click “Search Listed Items” to open the advanced item filter panel. Here, you can input any parameters relevant to what you are looking for.
Some key sections to understand include:
- Name/Type: Allows you to specify a base item or unique name (e.g. “Headhunter” or “Vaal Regalia”).
- Stats: Lets you filter mod values such as life, resistances, movement speed, etc.
- Sockets and Links: Crucial for builds with specific gem link requirements (e.g., 6-linked items).
- Corrupted Status: Determine whether the item is corrupted (important when rolling or crafting).
After adjusting your filters, press the “Search” button to view current listings. You’ll see a list of items that match your criteria, sorted by price by default.
4. How to Buy Items
Each result includes a “whisper” button. Clicking this copies a pre-written message to your clipboard. Paste it in-game (Ctrl + V) to message the seller. If the seller is online and not busy, they’ll usually respond and invite you for the trade.
Common Tips:
- Try to buy items from sellers who are Online (green dot) for the fastest response.
- Avoid listings that are several days old; these may no longer be available.
- Price consistency is a sign of a fair market. Be wary of dramatically underpriced or overpriced items.
5. Bulk Currency Exchange
For trading currency (e.g. Chaos to Exalted, or vice versa), click “Bulk Item Exchange.” This tool is optimized for trading resources like Essences, Fossils, and Fragments.
Select the currency you have and the one you want. A list of trade offers will appear indicating how much you’ll receive based on the current exchange ratio. As with item trades, simply click “whisper” to contact a seller.
6. Selling Items
To list items on the trade site, you’ll need a Premium Stash Tab and have it set to “Public.” Right-click the tab’s name, and a checkbox will appear to make it public and priced.
There are two main ways to set prices:
- Per-item pricing: Set a price per individual item inside the tab.
- Tab pricing: Set a single price for all items in the tab. Not ideal for mixed-value items.
Items listed in public tabs automatically show on the trade site. Be sure to log into your account, so you can see and manage your own listings easily.
7. Understanding Item Pricing
Knowing how to price your items is crucial. Use the trade site itself to search for the item you want to sell, using similar filters. This gives you a rough market estimate. Adjust slightly below or above based on roll quality and socket links.
Tools like the community-created “Awakened PoE Trade” or “PoE Overlay” can help with price checking in-game. These tools use real-time trade site data to save you time while listing and appraising items.
8. Using Filters Effectively
The trade site supports highly specific queries. For serious players, mastering these advanced filters is a game-changer. Try setting:
- Minimum/Maximum values for mods like “+# Life” or “+#% Resistances.”
- Item Level for crafting base items (e.g. iLvl 85+ for influenced armor).
- Enchantment and Influence: Search for Eldritch, Shaper, or Hunter influenced gear.
You can also use the “Filters” section to highlight specific affix types like Delirium mods or Searing Exarch implicits.
9. Avoiding Pitfalls and Scams
While the PoE Trade Site is quite safe, always remain cautious:
- Double-check mods and item names before buying—misclicks happen.
- Never trade outside the in-game system. Avoid Discord or external websites for paid trades—they are against the ToS.
- Be patient: Sellers may be in a map or AFK. Don’t spam messages if unanswered.
10. Bookmark & Personalize
Consider bookmarking frequent searches—like specific flasks, maps, or jewel types. After logging in, you can also save custom search filters for easier access in the future. This is invaluable during league starts when the market is unpredictable and fast-moving.
Frequent players can even use the Path of Exile API to export watchlists and trade trackers into Discord bots, trading UIs, and more.
Conclusion
Mastering the PoE Trade Site is a foundational skill for any player aiming to succeed in the Path of Exile economy. Whether you’re crafting a mirror-tier build or just trying to finish your Atlas, efficient trade makes a massive difference. Keep practicing with filters, pay attention to market trends, and stay patient when sellers are unresponsive. Trading in PoE can be a rewarding experience when done right.
Now that you understand how to navigate the site, you’re one step closer to building that powerful character you’ve envisioned. Happy trading, exile!