Importing from China
in Business, Accounting & Taxes ·
Patrick Hughes31 said:So, we’re looking into importing some GPS devices—the kind with SIM cards built-in—straight from China, which means we need to track down a solid freight forwarder and figure out the logistics.
To kick things off, we just want to bring in a small batch first to run some tests and see if they actually work.
The catch is, I'm being told this counts as telecommunications equipment, so we'll likely need to clear some hoops with the FCC to get everything approved. We definitely need some help navigating that bureaucracy.
The FCC can be pretty strict with their regulations. Anything with Wi-Fi or cellular capabilities usually needs their green light. That’s often the hard part when dealing with Chinese suppliers, because the FCC basically demands a "Declaration of Conformity"—basically a certificate proving the device is legal to sell in the US.
If you don't have that, it becomes a bit of a headache.
The FCC also handles permits for testing or prototype equipment (which is usually limited to businesses), and it costs about $67 plus some paperwork you'll need to show them.
There are a few companies here in the States that specialize in getting these certifications done, so if you want more info, just shoot me a DM.
Hope that helps a little!