Can anyone help with some FCC questions please? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: homeward
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2016, 11:27:01 am
content: Hello,Apologies if this is the wrong forum, feel free to move. I'm looking for some pointers with regards FCC certification, I appreciate this is no substitute for proper legal advice but any help would be most useful. I have read into this somewhat but there are number of things I cannot find answers for.I have an unintentional radiator product that I am starting to sell from the UK to within the EU, I have been approached by a few potential customers in the USA wanting to buy what I make. I'd like to know, basically...can I legally get away with not FCC certifying. My thoughts are, these are very small numbers, custom one off designs, do such things need certifying?QuoteSince I'm not producing or sellinginthe US (sellingtothe US), would I be exempt?It seems that individuals in the US are allowed to import three or fewer devices as long as they are for personal use and not intended for sale...where would that put me as the exporter?Many thanks.

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2016, 06:37:44 pm
content: If it passes the tests for the EU, I would have thought it would be OK for the USA - if it does not pass the tests for the EU, you shouldn't be selling it in the EU

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2016, 09:01:15 pm
content: It's up to the importer to verify if the product satisfies local laws.Tim

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 13, 2016, 09:15:38 pm
content: If it is not something huge and very expensive, then very unlikely there will be any problems at customs, it is importer's problem anyway.

author: homeward
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2016, 04:36:11 pm
content: Thanks chaps, that's what I was hoping to hear! Whilst I'm confident it would pass testing, the fees would seriously reduce (all?) all profit and not really worth it for 2 or 3 sales.Quote from: T3sl4co1l on September 13, 2016, 09:01:15 pmDo you know where it states this please, so I can put my mind to rest!

author: tatus1969
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2016, 06:28:29 pm
content: anyway, is that a self declaration like CE in Europe? Or do you have to always go through lab certification to do it correctly?

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2016, 07:03:43 pm
content: Checkhttps://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea/importationQuote from: homeward on September 14, 2016, 04:36:11 pmDepending on what relationship you have with the certification agency, bundling FCC and ICES (Canada) into your EU testing should not be very expensive. Obviously that depends on how important and profitable these sales are.If you did tests on EU and your product falls into a harmonized code, then there is a higher chance your product will not be blocked in the port of entry. However, from question 4 of the reference above:QuoteQuote from: homeward on September 14, 2016, 04:36:11 pmQuestion 5 of the reference above:QuoteQuote from: tatus1969 on September 14, 2016, 06:28:29 pmIt is not self-declared, nor the FCC mark needs to be put in every device. However, depending on the product category you must go through lab cert. Question 1 of the reference above.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 14, 2016, 07:09:16 pm
content: Quote from: tatus1969 on September 14, 2016, 06:28:29 pmCE *is* self declaration. However it's not like you can just slap on the CE mark (you can if don't care about possible consequences). You need to keep a technical file which proves that it is CE compliant, and be ready to show it to authorities at any moment.

author: homeward
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 14, 2016, 07:26:45 pm
content: Quote from: rsjsouza on September 14, 2016, 07:03:43 pmThanks very much, from the link above...point 3-7 statesQuoteI guess that's the golden ticket? As my customer would only be importing one, for their personal use it sounds like these would be exempt.