imei is not engraved on the back of my iphone 7. Is this normal?

Yes. It's perfectly normal.

The IMEI number stopped being printed on the back with the iPhone 6s.

It can now be found either in Settings, or printed on the edge of the sim tray.

Find the serial number or IMEI on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch - Apple Support

According to Apple's website the IMEI is no longer able to be found on the back of iPhones 6s, 6s plus, 7 and 7 plus.

Why this is, nobody but Apple would know.

Are you sure the one you saw was an iPhone 7? It's possible it was an iPhone 6, they are very similar in shape.

Other than that, why does it matter whether its there or not?

wezman2k wrote:

well, it would be nice if it were at least printed somewhere on the exterior in the event the device is lost or stolen

If the device is lost or stolen who is looking on the back of it for an imei number and for what purpose?

If the device is found by someone, as said, its on the sim tray, which can be ejected with a paperclip. Less obvious than on the back, but still easily accessible if required. Though since its only an identifier for the carrier to use in its database for service, there's no real need to have it visible.

well, it would be nice if it were at least printed somewhere on the exterior in the event the device is lost or stolen

Hi

Some printed words on the back of iPhones for sale in Europe

European law for some reason?

Cheers

Brian 🇬-1F1E7;