What Is an MPN on eBay? Product Identifiers Explained
MPN stands for Manufacturer Part Number - the code a manufacturer gives a product to identify it. On eBay it sits alongside EAN, UPC and ISBN as a product identifier, and filling it in correctly helps eBay match your listing to the right product and helps buyers find it.
In this guide:
- What MPN means
- MPN vs SKU vs EAN vs UPC vs ISBN
- Where to find a product's MPN
- Why eBay asks for product identifiers
- What to do when there is no MPN
- Getting identifiers right at scale
What MPN means
MPN is short for Manufacturer Part Number. It is the reference the maker gave the product - often printed on the item, the box or the manual, and made up of letters and numbers. It identifies the product model across every retailer that sells it, which is why it is useful: two different sellers describing the same product can be matched by the same MPN.
eBay describes product identifiers as unique codes that can identify a specific product, and lists EANs, ISBNs and MPNs among them. Many categories on eBay ask for identifiers such as a UPC, ISBN, EAN, or a Brand and MPN pair.
MPN vs SKU vs EAN vs UPC vs ISBN
| Code | Who creates it | What it identifies |
|---|---|---|
| MPN | The manufacturer | The product model or part |
| SKU | You, the seller | Your own item, for your own stock records |
| EAN (GTIN-13) | Issued through GS1 | A specific product, worldwide - standard in the UK and Europe |
| UPC (GTIN-12) | Issued through GS1 | A specific product - standard in North America |
| ISBN | The book publishing system | A specific edition of a book |
The key point: an MPN or EAN belongs to the product; a SKU belongs to you. Never put your own SKU in the MPN field - it does not identify the manufacturer's product and can cause your listing to be matched to nothing, or to the wrong thing. If you need a refresher, see what is a SKU.
Where to find a product's MPN
- On the product itself - a label or stamp on the back, underside or inside a battery compartment.
- On the box or packaging - look for "Model", "Part No." or "MPN".
- In the manual or on the quick-start card.
- On the manufacturer's website - search the product name and check the specification page.
- On your supplier's invoice or data sheet - wholesalers usually list it.
If you resell branded goods, the MPN and barcode should come from the manufacturer or your supplier - never guess.
Why eBay asks for product identifiers
- Matching to a product. With a correct identifier, eBay can connect your listing to its product information, so buyers see consistent details.
- Search and filtering. Identifiers are part of the structured data buyers filter by.
- Trust. Complete, accurate listings are easier to compare and less likely to end in "not as described" disputes.
- Other channels. The same identifiers matter on marketplaces like Amazon and in shopping feeds, so getting them right once saves work later.
Identifier requirements vary by category, so check the fields eBay shows for the category you are listing in. For the wider picture on barcodes and where the numbers come from, see how to get barcodes for your products in the UK.
What to do when there is no MPN
Plenty of products genuinely have no MPN: handmade goods, vintage items, unbranded products, custom or one-off pieces. In that case:
- Do not invent a code. A made-up MPN is worse than none, because it can attach your listing to the wrong product or trigger a listing error.
- Do not reuse your SKU. It is your internal reference, not the manufacturer's.
- Use the option eBay provides for an identifier that does not apply, and fill in the item specifics you do have - brand (or unbranded), type, size, colour, material, condition.
- Add more description instead. Good photos, measurements and a clear title do the job an identifier would have done.
The exact wording of that option can vary, so use whatever the listing form offers for your category.
Getting identifiers right at scale
One listing is easy. A few hundred is where mistakes creep in: a typo in an EAN, an MPN left blank on half a batch, or one product carrying a different code on each site. Keeping identifiers in one product record and pushing them to each channel avoids that. If you need to fix many listings at once, our guide to bulk editing eBay listings covers the options, and eBay inventory management shows how to keep stock accurate as you list.
In Salync, each product holds its barcode and details once and syncs stock across your connected shops automatically, so a correction in one place does not have to be repeated everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
What does MPN mean on eBay?
MPN means Manufacturer Part Number - the reference code a manufacturer gives a product model. On eBay it is one of several product identifiers, alongside EAN, UPC and ISBN.
Is an MPN the same as a SKU?
No. An MPN is created by the manufacturer and identifies the product model. A SKU is created by you, the seller, for your own stock records. Do not enter your SKU as the MPN.
What do I put for MPN if my product does not have one?
Do not make one up. Use the option eBay's listing form provides for an identifier that does not apply, and describe the item fully with brand, type, size, colour, material and condition.
Where do I find the MPN on a product?
Check the product itself, the box, the manual, the manufacturer's website or your supplier's invoice or data sheet. It is often labelled "Model" or "Part No.".
Do I need an MPN, an EAN or both?
It depends on the category. Many eBay categories ask for a UPC, ISBN, EAN or a Brand and MPN pair. Fill in whichever identifiers your product genuinely has.
About this article
Written by the Salync team - UK-based ecommerce developers who built multi-channel inventory software from the ground up. We write from direct experience working with UK eBay, Shopify, and Amazon sellers.
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