FCC Part 15 Checklist: Documents to Collect Before You Ship Radio Frequency Devices to the US

Use this checklist before you place a purchase order for any product that transmits or emits radio frequency energy — Wi-Fi devices, Bluetooth gadgets, remote controls, wireless chargers, and similar electronics bound for the United States.

1. **Confirm whether the device is an intentional or unintentional radiator.** Intentional radiators (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, remote controls) generally need an FCC ID; unintentional radiators (most digital electronics) have lighter requirements but still fall under [FCC Part 15](/regulations/fcc-part-15).

2. **Request the FCC ID from your supplier, if applicable.** This number confirms the specific device model has been through the FCC's equipment authorization process for intentional radiators.

3. **Ask for proof of FCC Equipment Authorization.** This is the formal approval record showing the device meets FCC Part 15 requirements for its device category.

4. **Get the EMC test report from an FCC-accredited lab.** This report documents the actual electromagnetic compatibility testing performed on the product and should reference the model you're importing, not a similar one.

5. **Check that the product carries an FCC compliance label.** The label should be physically on the device or its packaging, not just mentioned in a datasheet.

6. **Confirm the user manual includes the required FCC statement.** This statement is a standard part of FCC Part 15 compliance and should appear in the manual shipped with the product, not only on the manufacturer's website.

7. **Match the paperwork to the exact model and revision you're buying.** Suppliers sometimes provide authorization documents for an earlier version of a product; verify the model number on the test report matches what's on the invoice.

8. **Keep copies of everything before the shipment arrives.** Having the FCC ID, authorization, test report, label proof, and manual on file before goods land reduces the chance of delays or questions at the border.

If you're sourcing from multiple suppliers, tracking which ones have provided complete FCC Part 15 documentation can become its own job. Complyra's [supplier compliance](/supplier-compliance) tools are built to help with exactly that kind of tracking, so you might find it worth a look.