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 PUBLIC  NOTICE  Federal  Communications  Commission  445  12th  St.,  S.  W.  Washington,  D.  C.  20554  News  Media  Information  202  /  418-  0500  Fax-  On-  Demand  202  /  418-  2830  TTY  202  /  418-  2555  Internet:  http://  www.  fcc.  gov  ftp.  fcc.  gov 
 For  Immediate  Release  DA:  00-  503  March  7,  2000 
 New  Rules  Regarding  the  Importation  of  Radio  Frequency  Devices  Go  into  Effect  February  28,  2000 
 The  Commissions  rules  regarding  the  importation  of  radio  frequency  devices  were  amended,  effective  on  February  28,  2000.  The  rule  changes  will  assist  the  Commission  in  preventing  the 
 entry  of  radio  frequency  devices  that  are  capable  of  causing  harmful  interference  to  electronic  devices. 


 The  Commissions  rule  changes  also  eliminate  a  filing  requirement  when  importers  use  the  FCC  Form  740.  When  importing  certain  radio  frequency  (RF)  devices,  importers  must  use  the  FCC 
 Form  740  to  declare  to  United  States  Customs  officials  that  the  device  complies  with  FCC  regulations.  The  importer  may  also  make  the  declaration  by  using  an  electronic  interface 
 established  by  the  U.  S.  Customs  Service.  In  the  event  that  the  importer  is  unable  to  use  the  electronic  interface  an  FCC  Form  740  must  be  filed  with  U.  S.  Customs  upon  the  devices  entry. 
 Previously,  importers  filed  copies  of  the  FCC  Form  740  with  both  the  FCC  and  the  U.  S.  Customs  Service. 


 The  rule  amendments  will  assist  the  Commission  in  preventing  the  sale  of  illegal  radio  frequency  devices  through  abuse  of  the  import-  for-  export  provision  of  the  Commissions  rules.  The 
 import  for  export  rule  allows  non-  authorized  items  to  enter  the  U.  S.  provided  they  are  exported  prior  to  sale  or  marketing.  Of  particular  interest  for  manufacturers  and  international  travelers  is 
 the  exemption  that  the  Commission  made  for  cellular  phones  and  similar  telephone  devices  that  operate  on  standards  not  used  in  the  U.  S.  and,  as  a  result,  are  unable  to  function  in  the  U.  S. 
 These  types  of  devices  present  no  interference  risk  and  may  continue  to  be  imported  and  marketed.  By  clarifying  when  an  imported  RF  device  may  be  marketed,  the  new  rules  assist 
 importers,  U.  S.  Customs  Service  officials  and  FCC  officials  to  determine  when  importation  of  an  unauthorized  radio  frequency  device  is  illegal. 


 Additional  information  regarding  these  rule  amendments  may  be  obtained  by  contacting  David  Sturdivant  202-  418-  1160. 
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