New Rule Requires Amazon and Other Online Marketplaces to Display FCC IDs
The FCC will require covered online marketplaces to display FCC IDs in listings for certified wireless devices, including robot vacuums. Compliance deadlines begin in 2027, with exemptions for used devices and certain sellers and existing listings.
Amazon and other online marketplaces will be required to display FCC identification numbers for a wide range of electronic devices sold in the United States beginning next year, including smartphones, robot vacuums and drones.
The requirement is part of new Federal Communications Commission rules that took effect Oct. 13 under President Donald Trump's administration. The changes also strengthen enforcement against unauthorized products sold through online marketplaces.
When Will FCC IDs Be Required?
Beginning March 1, 2027, online marketplaces must display FCC IDs for qualifying devices sold from their own inventory or handled through fulfillment services.
That includes products sold directly by Amazon and merchandise stored in its warehouses through Fulfillment by Amazon.
Marketplaces hosting third-party listings without handling the products have until June 1, 2027. They must take reasonable steps to verify FCC IDs against the agency's database and require sellers to certify their accuracy.
Exceptions include used products, certain smaller third-party sellers and listings published before Oct. 13, 2026, that have not subsequently been updated.
Changes to product descriptions, specifications, images or seller information can trigger the requirement, although routine price changes do not.
Which Products Are Affected?
The rule applies broadly to devices requiring FCC certification, including smartphones, tablets, wireless earbuds, smartwatches, security cameras, drones and robot vacuums.
However, it targets online marketplaces rather than all online retailers.
Manufacturers selling directly through their own websites, such as Apple's online store, generally are not subject to the disclosure requirement. The same products sold through Amazon would be covered.
For robot vacuum buyers, FCC IDs provide a way to access federal equipment authorization records, which can include manufacturer information, wireless specifications, photographs and testing documents.
However, FCC certification does not guarantee a device's cybersecurity or protection of personal information.
Part of Broader FCC Restrictions
The new requirements follow a series of restrictions targeting foreign-produced technology, including drones in December 2025 and advanced robotic devices in July 2026.
Unlike those restrictions, the marketplace rule applies to products regardless of where they are manufactured.
The FCC adopted the requirements under its existing regulatory authority, without new legislation from Congress. The commission classified the rule as non-major under the Congressional Review Act, leaving it subject to congressional review.
The agency estimates implementation could cost businesses up to $300 million initially, with annual expenses below $40 million.
For consumers, the change should make federal authorization records easier to find, help verify product authenticity and place greater responsibility on online marketplaces for the electronic devices they sell.
