INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW
How to Import Electronics: FCC and CPSC Rules
Importing electronics means satisfying federal product regulators — chiefly the FCC and the CPSC — before the goods can be marketed or entered. Almost any device with a circuit board emits radio-frequency energy, which brings it under FCC equipment authorization, and consumer electronics are also subject to CPSC safety certification. Energy-efficiency standards, radiation rules for certain devices, and ordinary customs classification round out the picture. A device that clears customs but fails FCC or CPSC requirements still can’t be legally sold, so the compliance work has to happen before you import, not after.
FCC Equipment Authorization Comes First
An RF device must be authorized under the FCC’s rules before it can be imported, marketed, or used in the United States. Under 47 CFR Part 15, there are two main paths:
- Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC). The manufacturer or importer self-declares compliance based on testing. This path covers many unintentional radiators — computer peripherals, LED lighting, power supplies, and similar digital-only equipment.
- Certification. A more rigorous path, handled through an FCC-recognized Telecommunication Certification Body, required for devices with a radio transmitter (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular).
The right path depends on the device. As a rule of thumb, if it transmits — anything wireless — expect Certification; if it only contains digital circuitry, SDoC usually applies. Make sure the authorization is in hand and the device is properly labeled before the shipment leaves the factory.
CPSC Safety Certification
Consumer electronics are consumer products, so the Consumer Product Safety Commission rules apply on top of the FCC’s. If your device is subject to a CPSC safety rule, you as the importer must certify compliance:
| Product type | Certificate | Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Regulated general-use product | General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) | Importer’s own or supplier test reports; third-party testing not always required |
| Children’s product | Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) | Mandatory third-party testing at a CPSC-accepted lab |
The distinction matters: a children’s product (designed or intended primarily for children 12 and under) requires a Children’s Product Certificate backed by third-party testing — for example, products with rechargeable batteries marketed to kids. CPSC is also phasing in electronic filing (eFiling) of these certificates for imported consumer products, so confirm the current filing mechanics before you ship.
Energy, Radiation, and Batteries
Three more rules catch importers off guard. Energy efficiency: many electronic appliances are “covered products” under Department of Energy standards and FTC EnergyGuide labeling. Radiation-emitting products: devices such as laser products and certain displays fall under the FDA’s radiation-control rules, with their own performance standards and reporting. Batteries: lithium batteries are regulated hazardous materials for transport, and some electronics carry forced-labor supply-chain risk — both worth checking before a purchase order. For the labeling mechanics that apply across these rules, see our guide to import labeling requirements.
The Customs Side Still Applies
The product-agency rules sit on top of the ordinary customs entry. You remain the importer of record, classify the electronics under the correct HTS code, post a bond on formal entries, and pay duty. Because tariff treatment for electronics has shifted in recent years, confirm the current duty and any trade-remedy exposure for your specific HTS code rather than relying on an older rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What approvals do I need to import electronics?
Most devices need FCC equipment authorization (SDoC or Certification, depending on whether they transmit), and consumer products need the applicable CPSC certificate (a GCC, or a Children’s Product Certificate with third-party testing for children’s products). Energy-efficiency, radiation, and battery-transport rules may also apply.
What’s the difference between FCC SDoC and Certification?
SDoC is a self-declaration of compliance based on testing, used for many digital-only (non-transmitting) devices. Certification is a more rigorous process through an FCC-recognized body, required for devices containing a radio transmitter such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Do I need a CPSC certificate to import electronics?
If the product is subject to a CPSC safety rule, yes. General-use products need a General Certificate of Conformity; children’s products need a Children’s Product Certificate backed by third-party testing at a CPSC-accepted lab.
Can electronics clear customs but still be illegal to sell?
Yes. Clearing CBP does not mean a device meets FCC or CPSC requirements. An unauthorized or uncertified device can’t be lawfully marketed even after it enters, which is why the agency compliance work has to be done before import.
Importing electronics cleanly means securing FCC authorization and CPSC certification — plus any energy and radiation compliance — before the customs entry is filed. Reidel Law Firm helps electronics importers map those obligations on flat-fee terms, with a plain-English compliance memo and direct attorney access. Get a flat-fee import compliance memo.
