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Electronics Equipment

Certain electronics equipment, including equipment deemed unlawful by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is not permitted on eBay.

Violations of this policy may result in a range of actions, including:

  • Listing cancellation

  • Limits on account privileges

  • Account suspension

  • Forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings

  • Loss of PowerSeller status

Some Examples
  • Radar or laser jamming devices: Products that claim to ‘jam’ or otherwise interfere with police radar or laser devices may not be listed on eBay.

  • Scanners: Generally, scanning receivers and radios may be listed on eBay. However, members may not list any scanning receiver or radio that receives cellular transmissions or has "full 800mz" coverage.

  • Traffic light control devices or signal changers: Products that claim to change stoplights or otherwise inhibit the natural pattern of a traffic signal are not permitted.

  • Satellite and Cable TV descramblers: eBay does not permit the sale of items that can solely be used to descramble or facilitate the access to cable or satellite television programming without authorization by or payment to satellite or cable operators. Stating the item is for educational or test purposes will not legitimize a product that is otherwise inappropriate. Information on "how to" descramble or gain access to cable or satellite television programming without authorization or payment is similarly not allowed. eBay policy also prohibits the "encouragement" of this type of activity. Some examples of items which are not allowed, include:

    • Smart Card Programmers and Unloopers

    • Programmed Smart Cards

    • Blocker Devices

    • Hardware or Software DSS Emulators

  • Low power radio transmitting devices and related equipment: Devices that transmit radio signals on the AM or FM bands are regulated by the FCC. This includes restrictions on the range of such devices. On FM frequencies, these low power devices are limited to an effective service range of approximately 35 to 100 feet (11-to-30 meters). On the AM broadcast band, these devices are limited to an effective service range of approximately 200-to-250 feet (61 to 76 meters). eBay does not permit the listing of devices that claim or suggest a more extensive range, as such items may violate these regulations.

  • Extended coverage high frequency transceivers: Equipment that is intended to operate in various radio services in the high frequency radio spectrum, including "10-Meter" Amateur Radio Service (ARS) equipment, is lawful and may be sold. However, members may not list high frequency transceivers that are designed to operate on frequencies outside of the ARS bands if it has not been issued a grant of equipment authorization for the radio service(s) in which the transmitter is capable of operating. Operation of this equipment causes interference to the authorized users of frequency bands allocated to other radio services such as the Private Land Mobile Radio Services, Maritime Services, Auxiliary Broadcast Services, International Broadcasting Services, the Citizens Band Radio Service, and the U.S. Government.

  • CB amplifiers: The FCC does not permit the use of power amplifiers with Citizens Band radios. Therefore, eBay prohibits any listings of the following:

    • CB amplifiers

    • Amplifiers specified for use on the 11 Meter band

    • Amplifiers designed for use in frequencies 24 MHz to 35MHz

    • Amplifiers posted within the CB category

    • CB Radios that are amplified to exceed 4 Watts using the AM Settings or 12 Watts using the SSB settings

  • Cordless telephones: Most cordless telephones are lawful and may be sold on eBay. All cordless telephones listed for sale on eBay must be authorized by the FCC. Authorized cordless telephones display an FCC identification number and compliance label. Unauthorized long-range cordless telephones may interfere with frequencies of authorized users and aeronautical communications. For that reason, unlike listings of other cordless telephones, a listing of a long-range cordless telephone that operates below 1000 MHz and that transmits over one kilometer (1094 yards) must state the specific FCC identification number displayed on that telephone.

  • Radar Detectors: It is unlawful to sell any radar detector that has not been certified by the FCC.

  • Odometer Modification Devices: Because it is unlawful in many jurisdictions to reset odometers to read less than the true actual mileage on a motor vehicle, sales of odometer modification and calibration devices (whether manual or electronic) are prohibited on eBay.

Additional Information

Members may visit the FCC's Web site to conduct a search for FCC-authorized equipment.

Why does eBay have this policy?

eBay urges its sellers and buyers to comply with all governmental laws and regulations. Since the sale of electronic equipment mentioned above has been deemed unlawful by the Federal Communications Commission, sellers may not list them on eBay.

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