What changed on eBay, and why
On September 11, 2026 the FCC published rules that make online marketplaces responsible for keeping uncertified radio devices off their sites. One of the obligations is to show the device's FCC ID on the listing. eBay's response, announced to sellers around October 8, is a structured FCC ID item specific on applicable listings.
eBay's Seller Center says that, depending on the product and listing:
- you may be unable to create, revise, relist or publish the listing until you add the FCC ID, and
- listings missing it may be hidden from buyers in the US.
eBay's seller notice names October 13, 2026 as the date hiding can start. The FCC's own compliance deadlines for marketplaces come later (March 1, 2027 for marketplaces that handle inventory, June 1, 2027 for those that only host third-party sellers), but eBay is enforcing earlier. Plan around eBay's date.
Which eBay listings need an FCC ID?
The short version: anything that intentionally sends radio signals (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, RF remote, GPS tracker with a modem, NFC/RFID reader) almost always has an FCC ID. Wired-only electronics usually don't, because most are approved under a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity, which doesn't issue an ID. eBay's own example list is in the first six rows below.
| Product type | FCC ID? | Where it usually is |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile phones | Needs one | Settings → Legal/Regulatory e-label, SIM tray area, box |
| Laptops & tablets | Needs one | Bottom case label, battery bay, Settings → Regulatory |
| Routers, modems, hotspots | Needs one | Label on the base or back |
| Drones & their remote controllers | Needs one | Inside battery bay, under the body, controller back. Drone and controller have separate IDs. |
| Bluetooth headphones, earbuds, speakers | Needs one | Inside the charging case lid, headband, speaker base |
| Smartwatches & fitness trackers | Needs one | Watch back (tiny print), app or Settings e-label |
| Wireless cameras, doorbells, baby monitors | Needs one | Mount side or back label |
| Two-way radios, CB, walkie-talkies | Needs one | Behind the battery |
| RC cars, boats, toys with a remote | Needs one | Transmitter (remote) label, often in battery cover |
| Wireless game controllers, keyboards, mice | Needs one | Underside or battery cover. The USB dongle may have its own. |
| Smart plugs, bulbs, hubs, voice speakers | Needs one | Body label or packaging |
| Car key fobs, garage door remotes | Needs one | Inside the shell, on the circuit board |
| Wireless (Qi) chargers | Often | Underside. Some are authorized without an ID; check the label. |
| Devices with a certified radio module | Shows “Contains FCC ID” | Use the FCC information the manufacturer gives for the finished product |
| Wired peripherals, monitors, PC parts without radios | Usually not | Usually authorized by SDoC, so no FCC ID exists |
| Cases, cables, straps, screen protectors, stands | No | Not electronic radio devices |
eBay says category alone doesn't decide it. If you aren't sure, check with the manufacturer or supplier.
Where to find the FCC ID on your product
- The device label. Look for “FCC ID:” followed by letters, numbers and sometimes a dash. Check the back, bottom, inside the battery compartment and under kickstands.
- The e-label in settings. Many phones, watches and tablets have no printed label. On an iPhone it's under Settings → General → Legal & Regulatory. Android phones usually list it under Settings → About phone → Regulatory labels (names vary by brand).
- The box, manual or quick-start sheet. The regulatory section near the back of the manual usually prints the FCC ID in full.
- The FCC database, by brand and model. If you know the manufacturer's grantee code, search the FCC Equipment Authorization database and match the product photos and model name. Use the search box below.
- The manufacturer or supplier. If none of the above works, ask them. eBay says that if the FCC information can't be confirmed, you may be unable to sell that product to US buyers.
Find an FCC ID by brand and model
Searches public FCC ID mirrors and the web. Always confirm on the official FCC record, and match the exact model and region version.
How to read an FCC ID
An FCC ID has two parts. The grantee code identifies the company that holds the certification. Codes issued before May 2013 are 3 characters (letters and numbers). Codes issued since then are 5 characters and start with “2”. The product code that follows identifies the exact device and can be 1 to 14 letters, numbers or dashes.
Labels usually print a dash between the two parts, but the dash isn't always there. The same ID might appear as 2ABCDHX200W or 2ABCD-HX200W. The checker above handles both.
Looks like an FCC ID
Starts with a 3-character or 5-character code, has letters mixed with numbers, and is printed after the words “FCC ID”.
Not an FCC ID
15 digits is an IMEI. 12 or 13 digits is a UPC or EAN. “Model A2643” or “M/N” is a model number. eBay rejects all of these in the FCC ID field.
Exemptions and gray areas eBay hasn't answered
The FCC rule (47 CFR §2.803(c)(3)) doesn't require the FCC ID to be displayed in three cases. eBay has not confirmed it will apply them, and its prompts may still ask for an ID. Treat these as arguments, not guarantees.
| Situation | What the FCC rule says | What to do on eBay |
|---|---|---|
| Used devices | Devices previously sold to a retail customer and resold as used are exempt. | Add the ID if you can find it. If you can't, keep the listing condition accurate and watch for eBay prompts. |
| Low-volume sellers | Third-party sellers who aren't “high-volume” under the INFORM Consumers Act (200+ sales and $5,000+ in 12 months) are exempt. | eBay's prompts may not check your volume. Add IDs to new radio-device listings anyway. |
| Listings live before the rule | Existing listings are exempt unless amended, updated or republished. Price-only changes don't count. | Editing a title or photos, or relisting, may trigger the requirement. Fix the ID at the same time. |
| SDoC products | Authorized without an FCC ID. | eBay's guidance doesn't cover this yet. Keep the manufacturer's compliance statement handy in case eBay asks for documentation. |
| Products on the FCC Covered List | May be restricted even with a valid FCC ID. | Check the current Covered List before listing. |
How to add an FCC ID to eBay listings
One listing
Revise the listing, open the item specifics, and find FCC ID (often under optional item specifics). Paste the ID exactly as printed, then save. If eBay prompts you on a new listing, the field appears there too.
Hundreds of listings
Download your active listings from Seller Hub → Reports, add the FCC ID item specific per listing in a revise file, and upload it. Tools like 3Dsellers can bulk-edit too. The slow part isn't uploading, it's finding the right ID for every product.
Not sure which listings are affected? eBay hasn't released a report or filter for it. The scanner below sorts an exported listing file into “needs an ID”, “check by hand” and “probably fine”, entirely in your browser.
Free eBay listing scanner
Export your active listings as CSV from Seller Hub → Reports (or File Exchange), then drop the file here. The file never leaves your browser. We flag listings that look like radio devices and are missing a valid FCC ID, and give you a revise worksheet to fill in.
Showing sample listings so you can see what the scan returns. Upload your own file to replace them.
| Item | Title | Status | FCC ID |
|---|
The worksheet has Action, ItemID, Title and C:FCC ID columns for flagged listings. Before uploading, check the headers against the revise template you download from Seller Hub. The scan is keyword-based, so it can miss items or flag accessories. Review before you upload.
Send us your CSV, get it back with FCC IDs filled in
No time to look up hundreds of labels before October 13? Send us your listing export. We find each product's FCC ID in the FCC database, fill in a revise-ready file, and flag anything we can't confirm so you never upload a guess.
Starter
- Up to 100 listings
- Matched FCC IDs with links to the FCC record
- Uncertain items flagged for review
Store
- Up to 500 listings
- Everything in Starter
- Exemption notes for used items
Payment by PayPal (card or PayPal balance). Prices in USD, one-time, no subscription.
How ordering works
- Pay for the plan that fits your listing count using the PayPal button above.
- Email your listings CSV (Seller Hub → Reports → Active listings) with your PayPal transaction ID.
- Within 48 hours you get the file back with FCC IDs, a link to each FCC record, and a list of listings to check by hand.
contact@pointers.in
More than 2,000 listings? Email us for a quote. Refund in full if we can't match any of your listings.
Mistakes that get FCC IDs rejected
Copying a similar model's ID
eBay says not to reuse an ID from a similar model, an older version or another region. A US and an EU version of the same earbuds can have different IDs.
Using another seller's ID
Their listing may be wrong too. Confirm against the label or the FCC record yourself.
Picking the module's ID
If the label says “Contains FCC ID”, that's the radio module inside. eBay asks for the ID the manufacturer assigns to the finished product, if there is one.
Mixing up O/0 and I/1
Labels use small fonts. If the FCC search finds nothing, try swapping these characters.
eBay FCC ID questions
When does eBay start hiding listings without an FCC ID?
eBay told sellers that from October 13, 2026, applicable US listings without a valid FCC ID may be hidden from buyers, and may be blocked from being created, revised or relisted until the ID is added.
Can I use the model number, IMEI or UPC instead?
No. eBay says model numbers, serial numbers, UPCs and IMEIs can't be used in place of an FCC ID.
Do used items need an FCC ID?
The FCC rule exempts devices previously sold at retail and resold as used. eBay hasn't confirmed it applies this exemption, so adding the ID where you can find it is the safest option.
Can I copy the FCC ID from a similar model or another listing?
No. The ID must belong to the exact product you're selling, including its version and region.
My product has no FCC ID. What now?
Wired products are often authorized under a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity and never get an FCC ID. Products with a built-in radio usually do. If a wireless product has no ID and the manufacturer can't confirm one, eBay says you may not be able to sell it to US buyers.
Does eBay need a certificate or test report?
Usually only the FCC ID. eBay says it may request supporting documentation in some cases.
How do I add FCC IDs to many listings at once?
Export your active listings from Seller Hub Reports, add the FCC ID item specific to each listing in a revise file, and upload it. Use the free scanner to find which listings need it, or send us the file.
Is a valid FCC ID enough to keep my listing up?
Not always. eBay can still restrict a listing if the ID belongs to another product, the product was modified, its authorization was revoked or limited, or it's on the FCC Covered List.