posted on January 27, 2003 09:57:27 AM
I don't know about any ebay search box but the search function box near the top of most pages definitely allows for the search by item number and states that just above the search box Enter words or item number.
I can not get an item search from the omni-present search box on most ebay pages and have to use the clickable search function just below home / my ebay links to the top of each page.