Escape from Tarkov’s 1.0 launch brings new maps, factions, and a mountain of fixes. There is a less pleasant change tucked into the economy, though – large swaths of the Flea Market now only become available at much higher player levels. The game still unlocks the base Flea Market at Level 15. Beyond that, the market is gated by category. Players compiling availability have found standard weapons, attachments, gear, barter items, and even some ammunition locked until players reach mid- to late-levels.
What stays locked and when
The community list of level requirements looks like this
- Bolt action rifles – Level 20
- Assault rifles – Level 25
- Marksman rifles – Level 25
- Backpacks – Level 25
- Foregrips – Level 20
- Light and laser devices – Level 25
- Muzzle devices – Level 20
Some supply and crafting-related items move the requirement higher
- Barter items – Level 30
- Gear components – Level 30
- Injectors – Level 30
- Keycards – Level 30
And a few high-tier rounds remain locked until the late game
- PS12B – Level 40
- M80 – Level 35
- Blackout CJB – Level 40
According to LogicalSolutions:
#EscapeFromTarkov ** Flea Market Changes **
You unlock the base level of the Flea Market at Level 15. At levels 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 you unlock different categories within the Flea Market.
Fantastic change 💯 pic.twitter.com/synhK5qFYl
— LogicalSolutions (@LogicaISoIution) November 15, 2025
The unlock table was first highlighted in a post on X and picked up by community trackers. The change looks aimed at shrinking the pool of items available to brand new accounts and cutting into real money trading and bot-driven markets. Players are divided. Some accept a steeper progression as a countermeasure against RMT and duping. Others point out that newer players who do not want to grind raids have fewer lawful ways to access common upgrades and ammo. Server strain during 1.0’s rollout is another factor making these gating complaints louder right now.
Console PC Gaming previously covered the Flea Market restrictions and their ongoing impact on the player economy in an update about the extended lockdown Tarkov Flea Market Lockdown Extended by Battlestate Games. That piece looks at how Battlestate Games has handled market access in recent patches and community feedback. For now, the practical effect is simple. Players who want access to top-tier ammo and many categories will need to invest time in progression. That will change who can freely buy and sell certain items and may alter early economy prices until the player base levels up or the studio tweaks the gates.
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