A US smart-lock range should be selected against door preparation, intended credential route, wireless function, installer capability, documentation scope and the importer's responsibilities. This guide covers FCC documentation review, ANSI/BHMA mechanical questions and B2B distribution planning.
FCC Part 15: Review the Selected Configuration
For a US smart-lock project, review the selected model, radio functions, wireless module, hardware revision, firmware and labeling against the applicable FCC route. The importer should confirm current requirements and the evidence needed for the exact supplied configuration.
FCC Part 15 has two relevant subparts for smart locks:
- Subpart B: Unintentional radiators — covers the electronic circuitry (power supply, microcontroller). Required for any electronic product.
- Subpart C: Intentional radiators — covers the deliberate radio transmitter (Wi-Fi, BLE, Zigbee chip). Required for wireless connectivity. This is what generates the FCC ID number displayed on the product.
Labeling, user-document and authorization-record requirements depend on the supplied configuration and authorization route. For OEM projects, submit the proposed branding, radio module, antenna, hardware and firmware scope so any additional filing, testing or document update can be reviewed before quotation.
ANSI/BHMA: The Mechanical Standard
ANSI/BHMA publishes the US performance standards for door hardware. Which standard applies depends on the lock type, for example ANSI/BHMA A156.13 for mortise locks or A156.40 for residential deadbolts. These standards typically use three grades:
- Grade 1: Commercial heavy-duty (commercial buildings, high-traffic doors)
- Grade 2: Commercial standard (multifamily residential, light commercial)
- Grade 3: Residential (single-family homes)
ANSI/BHMA is not a federal legal requirement but is referenced in many multifamily building specifications, HOA procurement documents, and property management company approved product lists. Grade 2 is the de facto standard for apartment and multifamily deployments in the US.
If your project specification names an ANSI/BHMA standard or grade, send it with your brief and we will tell you which documents are available for the selected Trudian model.
US Market Segments: Where Smart Locks Sell
🏢 Multifamily / Apartment (Largest Segment)
A large US apartment base is specifying smart locks for new builds and retrofits. Property managers often need remote access, audit logs, temporary credentials and a named property-management software connection. Confirm the model, credential method and acceptance test for each project.
Managed Residential Access
Managed-residential projects may need remote access, temporary credentials and a defined connection path to the operator's chosen property system. Confirm the named software, credential workflow and destination documentation for the selected model. Commercial quantities follow the written project scope.
Managed Property Operators
Multifamily and managed residential projects requiring remote access, auditability and a property-management software connection. Confirm the device workflow, connection scope and market documentation for each model.
🏗️ Commercial / Access Control
Commercial access-control projects should define their controller, reader interface and management route before supply. FCC documentation and any connection to a named enterprise system must be reviewed by model. Government procurement may require a separate approved-vendor route.
US Distribution Channels
- Security distributors: ADI Global Distribution, Anixter (now Wesco), Tri-Ed — the dominant wholesale channels for access control and smart lock products to US security installers
- Electrical wholesale: Graybar, Rexel USA, WESCO — route to electrical contractors installing smart locks in new construction and retrofit projects
- PropTech platforms: Companies like Latch, SmartRent, and Brivo resell or specify smart lock hardware as part of their property management software platform — potential OEM or supply partner channel
- Direct to PMC: For large multifamily companies (1,000+ unit deployments), factory-direct with a US logistics partner is competitive
Tariff Considerations (2026)
Smart locks imported from China may be subject to Section 301 measures and other customs requirements. Verify the current classification, country-of-origin rules and importer responsibilities with a US customs broker before calculating landed cost or issuing a quotation. Trudian can discuss documented supply-chain options for US-market OEM partners.
Frequently Asked Questions: Smart Lock Wholesale in the USA
Review the selected model, radio functions, wireless module, hardware revision, firmware and labeling against the applicable FCC route. Request the authorization record and supporting document scope for the exact configuration. Changes to the radio module, antenna, hardware or firmware may require additional review or testing; the US importer should confirm the current requirements before ordering.
ANSI/BHMA grades describe mechanical performance. Whether a project requires a grade, test report or other evidence depends on the buyer's specification, selected product and intended use. For multifamily, commercial or institutional procurement, request the relevant evidence for the selected model and verify the stated scope before making a claim.
US multifamily and residential-access projects are major smart lock wholesale segments. Buyers typically evaluate remote access, audit logs, property-management software connection requirements, mechanical requirements, battery monitoring and accessibility. Confirm the named software interface and deployment requirements for each project; do not assume a connection is standard.
Smart locks imported from China may be subject to Section 301 measures, MFN duty and other customs requirements that change with classification and trade policy. Confirm the current HTS classification, country-of-origin rules, duty, customs value and importer responsibilities with a US customs broker before issuing a commercial quotation. Do not rely on a generic tariff percentage or landed-cost example.
US smart-lock procurement can involve electrical distributors, security distributors, integrators, managed-property operators and direct project buyers. Review the selected model, door preparation, credential workflow, app or firmware scope, support owner and destination documentation before choosing a supply route. The appropriate channel depends on the buyer's installation, service and commercial responsibilities.
US multifamily property managers commonly specify auto-relock, an audit-log retention period, remote PIN generation, a named property-management software connection, ANSI/BHMA mechanical requirements, any required radio path, battery monitoring and ADA considerations. Biometric features need a separate privacy and acceptance review under the applicable state law. Confirm each requirement against the selected model and project brief.
Several US states have enacted biometric privacy laws that affect fingerprint and face-recognition smart-lock deployments. Requirements can include written notice or consent, retention and deletion controls, restrictions on disclosure and a private right of action. Review the current Illinois, Texas, Washington, California and other applicable state rules with counsel before specifying biometric access control; use data minimisation and an appropriate on-device or documented storage path.
Supply Smart Locks to the US Market
Share your US project scope, target configuration and volume through WhatsApp or email. Trudian will confirm FCC documentation and quotation terms.