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The short version
- eBay told sellers that starting October 13, 2026, applicable listings need a valid FCC ID or they may be hidden (eBay seller notice quoted by Value Added Resource, October 8). eBay's Seller Center says listings missing it "may be hidden from buyers in the US."
- It covers radio devices such as phones, laptops, tablets, routers, drones, Bluetooth devices, wireless cameras, smartwatches, two-way radios and remote-controlled toys.
- Some products are authorized with a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) instead of an FCC ID, so not every electronic item has one (Value Added Resource, October 8).
- The FCC rule behind it took effect on October 13, 2026. It excludes used devices, sellers below the INFORM Act high-volume threshold, and listings published before that date that are not later amended. eBay has not said whether it applies those exclusions.
What changed
The FCC published a rule on September 11, 2026, effective October 13, 2026, that requires online marketplaces to display a certified device's FCC ID at the online point of sale. A marketplace that relies on third-party sellers must check that the ID was validly issued and require the seller to certify it is accurate. The FCC set compliance dates of March 1, 2027 for marketplaces that have physical access to or take title to the devices and June 1, 2027 for marketplaces that rely on seller certifications.
eBay is asking for the ID now. Its Seller Center page adds a structured FCC ID field to applicable listings and says that without it "you may be unable to create, revise, relist, or publish the listing until you add the required information." Model, serial, UPC and IMEI numbers do not count, and the ID must be for the exact model you list, not a similar one or one copied from another seller.
What it means for your business
For resellers of electronics, a missing ID can mean a listing that US buyers never see, and a listing you cannot revise or relist until you fix it. Finding the right ID takes a few minutes per item, so a large electronics catalog is real work.
For importers listing new devices from China, the FCC ID now has to be on hand before the listing goes live. The FCC's exclusion for used devices and smaller sellers sits in its rule, but eBay's page lists no exemptions, so plan as if every applicable listing needs one.
Who is affected
- eBay sellers, in the US or abroad, who list wireless electronics for US buyers.
- Importers and brands selling new radio devices on eBay, who need the FCC ID from the manufacturer.
- Unclear: sellers of used devices and smaller sellers, whom the FCC rule excludes but eBay's page does not mention.
What to do now
- Open your active electronics listings and look for eBay's FCC ID prompt or field. Add the ID for the exact model.
- Find the ID on the device, its label or box, or in its settings screen, and confirm it in the FCC ID search.
- Before you order new stock from a factory, ask for the product's FCC ID and grant. Do not copy an ID from another seller's listing.
- If a listing drops out of search, check it for a missing FCC ID before you cut the price. Check your margin with the reseller fee calculator.
- We track eBay rule and fee changes on the marketplace fee tracker.
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General information, not legal, tax or customs advice. Rules change often: check the official sources above or a licensed customs broker before you act. SuanSupply is not affiliated with any government agency or marketplace named here.
Correction (): An earlier version said listings without an FCC ID will be hidden; eBay says they may be hidden. We also added that some products use a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity instead of an FCC ID.