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Guide

Prohibited Products Policy: Electronics and radio frequency devices

Last updated on Nov 12, 2024

Reading time: 6 min

In this guide:

Overview
What is the policy?
Policy basics
Frequently asked questions

Overview

Products subject to our policy on Electronics and Radio Frequency Devices must also adhere to other Prohibited Products Policies or Walmart will automatically unpublish your item.

What is the policy?

Walmart prohibits the sale of radio frequency devices that aren’t authorized by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC). In addition, Walmart prohibits radio frequency devices that, although authorized, are operating in a manner inconsistent with that authorization. Items listed on Walmart’s Marketplace must contain all device labeling, information, and warnings required by the FCC.

Additional information

This policy applies to devices that emit—whether intentionally, unintentionally, or incidentally—radio frequency energy. Because these devices can put out electrical signals that interfere with important communications channels, their design, manufacture, and sale are subject to regulation by the FCC. Radio frequency devices that aren’t appropriately authorized by the FCC or that are otherwise not in compliance with FCC rules are prohibited from sale on Walmart Marketplace.

Policy basics

Prohibited	Allowed with restriction	Allowed
Signal jammers or blockers, including: Cell phone jammers GPS jammers Laser or radar jammers Wifi jammers Wireless microphones or headsets that operate in the 600/700 MHz band (617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz, 698-806 MHz) FM transmitters that operate outside of the authorized FM frequency band (88-108MHz) Products associated with Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation, as well as their parent, subsidiary, and affiliate companies Drones or drone accessories like AV transmitters that operate on unauthorized frequencies, including frequencies that are reserved for federal government use Power amplifiers compatible with Citizens Band (CB) radios Radio frequency devices that are marketed for use in a manner that violates FCC rules or policies. Examples include: FM radio broadcast transmitters marketed to operate unlicensed or “pirate" radio stations Wi-Fi routers marketed to operate on unauthorized channels or at unauthorized power levels Private land mobile radios (Part 90 radios) marketed to operate on unauthorized channels. Two-way VHF/UHF radios marketed for use by amateur licensees that operate on frequencies that extend beyond the designated amateur frequency bands (e.g., operations on frequencies 136-143 MHz, 400-419 MHz and/or 451-520 MHz, all of which are not authorized amateur radio service bands) Impermissible cell phone devices, such as: Cell phone unlocking devices Jailbroken cell phones Bad electronic serial number (ESN) Software, hardware, and products that enable the circumvention of copy-protected digital products, such as: Boot disks, cards, emulators, or loaders Import converters Satellite and cable TV descramblers DVD duplicators that bypass protections against copyright infringement Blu-ray players altered to disable region coding Geoblock circumvention streaming devices, or other products designed to circumvent or enable unauthorized or illegally stream protected content Fishing net buoys operating on radio frequencies assigned to Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) Recreational hunting accessories, including wireless decoys and game calls, that exceed authorized emissions limits Products with missing or altered serial numbers Any products that detect or interfere with law enforcement or public safety equipment, such as: Devices that detect police cameras, sensors, radar detectors, or similar equipment Products designed to affect the operation of traffic signals or block detection by red-light cameras	Consumer cellular signal boosters are allowed but must contain the necessary instructions to customers regarding prior approval and device registration from their wireless provider.	Radio frequency devices operating in compliance with FCC rules, including technical and operational requirements. Examples include: General electronics such as laptops, tablets, televisions, and Blu-ray/DVD players that are legal for sale in the U.S., don’t by-pass technical controls, and comply with all other FCC regulations Streaming devices such as Apple TV, Roku, and Google Chromecast

Prohibited

Allowed with restriction

Allowed

Signal jammers or blockers, including:

Cell phone jammers
GPS jammers
Laser or radar jammers
Wifi jammers

Wireless microphones or headsets that operate in the 600/700 MHz band (617-652 MHz and 663-698 MHz, 698-806 MHz)

FM transmitters that operate outside of the authorized FM frequency band (88-108MHz)
Products associated with Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation, as well as their parent, subsidiary, and affiliate companies
Drones or drone accessories like AV transmitters that operate on unauthorized frequencies, including frequencies that are reserved for federal government use
Power amplifiers compatible with Citizens Band (CB) radios
Radio frequency devices that are marketed for use in a manner that violates FCC rules or policies. Examples include:
- FM radio broadcast transmitters marketed to operate unlicensed or “pirate" radio stations
- Wi-Fi routers marketed to operate on unauthorized channels or at unauthorized power levels
- Private land mobile radios (Part 90 radios) marketed to operate on unauthorized channels.
  Two-way VHF/UHF radios marketed for use by amateur licensees that operate on frequencies that extend beyond the designated amateur frequency bands (e.g., operations on frequencies 136-143 MHz, 400-419 MHz and/or 451-520 MHz, all of which are not authorized amateur radio service bands)

Impermissible cell phone devices, such as:
- Cell phone unlocking devices
- Jailbroken cell phones
- Bad electronic serial number (ESN)

Software, hardware, and products that enable the circumvention of copy-protected digital products, such as:

Boot disks, cards, emulators, or loaders
Import converters
Satellite and cable TV descramblers
DVD duplicators that bypass protections against copyright infringement
Blu-ray players altered to disable region coding
Geoblock circumvention streaming devices, or other products designed to circumvent or enable unauthorized or illegally stream protected content

Fishing net buoys operating on radio frequencies assigned to Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)
Recreational hunting accessories, including wireless decoys and game calls, that exceed authorized emissions limits
Products with missing or altered serial numbers
Any products that detect or interfere with law enforcement or public safety equipment, such as:
- Devices that detect police cameras, sensors, radar detectors, or similar equipment
- Products designed to affect the operation of traffic signals or block detection by red-light cameras

Consumer cellular signal boosters are allowed but must contain the necessary instructions to customers regarding prior approval and device registration from their wireless provider.

Radio frequency devices operating in compliance with FCC rules, including technical and operational requirements. Examples include:

General electronics such as laptops, tablets, televisions, and Blu-ray/DVD players that are legal for sale in the U.S., don’t by-pass technical controls, and comply with all other FCC regulations
Streaming devices such as Apple TV, Roku, and Google Chromecast

Frequently asked questions

What is a Radio Frequency Device?

What are the types of Radio Frequency Devices?

Radio frequency devices are grouped under the following categories:

Intentional radiators:

Devices that intentionally generate and emit radio frequency energy are considered "Intentional Radiators" by the FCC. Examples of Intentional Radiators include devices with cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other wireless connectivity such as mobile phones, two-way radios, wireless microphones, radio-controlled toys, universal remote-control devices, wireless alarm systems, drones, signal boosters, and FM radio transmitters.

Unintentional radiators:

Devices that aren’t intended to emit radio frequency energy, but that intentionally generate radio frequency energy for use within the device or to send signals to associated equipment via connected wiring are considered "Unintentional Radiators" by the FCC. Examples of Unintentional Radiators include TV and radio receivers, garage door receivers, personal computers and computer peripherals, smart battery chargers, and LED signs.

Incidental radiators:

Devices that aren’t designed or intended to do so, but nevertheless still generate radio frequency energy because of operations are considered "Incidental Radiators" by the FCC. Examples of Incidental Radiators include hair dryers, alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) motors, mechanical light switches, and basic electrical power tools that do not contain digital logic.

What kind of authorization does the FCC require for marketing radio frequency devices?

Compliance requirements for marketing radio frequency devices are as follows:

Intentional and Unintentional Radiators are required to be authorized by the FCC 1 prior to being marketed in the United States. Intentional Radiators generally require certification, while Unintentional Radiators may be authorized under the “Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity" (SDoC) process. If a device is both an Intentional and Unintentional Radiator, both processes may apply.

Incidental Radiators don’t need to be authorized but must still comply with relevant FCC requirements.

To be certified by the FCC, Intentional Radiators must be tested for compliance at a lab that has been accredited by the FCC, and an application for an equipment authorization (certification) must be submitted. Once a device is certified, the FCC issues an FCC ID number and label, and publishes the device’s technical information on a publicly accessible database.

To comply with the SDoC procedure for Unintentional Radiators, the responsible party for the device — who must be located in the United States— must have the item tested for compliance, maintain records demonstrating compliance, and provide such records to the FCC upon request.

All types of radio frequency devices must include required labels, warnings, and information for the user. Additionally, all radio frequency devices must comply with the FCC’s rules regarding radio frequency radiation exposure limits.

What should I do if changes were made to an authorized radio frequency device?

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