FCC Form 740 — "Statement Regarding the Importation of Radio Frequency Devices Capable of Causing Harmful Interference" — was historically required at import for any radiofrequency device operating at or below 960 MHz capable of causing interference. It was a CBP-collected attestation filed alongside the Entry Summary.
In 2017, the FCC modernized its equipment authorization framework under 47 CFR Part 2 and eliminated Form 740 for most products, shifting to the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) regime. CBP no longer requires Form 740 to be filed at entry for most radiofrequency devices.
That said, the underlying compliance requirement persists. Importers of RF devices must still ensure the product:
- Holds a valid FCC ID (for intentional radiators — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, etc.), OR
- Is properly authorized under the SDoC (for unintentional radiators), OR
- Qualifies for an exemption (low-power digital devices, certain pre-1981 products, devices for export only, devices for R&D, etc.)
A handful of product categories — and certain legacy entries — may still require Form 740-equivalent documentation in the importer's records. Importers should treat the FCC compliance question at entry as a substantive obligation, not a paperwork one: CBP and the FCC coordinate enforcement, and devices entering the U.S. without proper authorization are subject to seizure under 47 U.S.C. § 510 and penalties under 19 U.S.C. § 1592.
For consumer electronics importers, the practical compliance flow is: confirm the responsible party in the U.S., confirm FCC ID or SDoC, document the test records, and ensure the user manual contains the required compliance statements.