FCC Blocks Chinese Gadget Imports as Waiver Rules Split Industry

The Federal Communications Commission has moved to block new imports of Chinese-made drones, routers, and robot vacuums.

The agency issued these bans starting in December 2025. The rules cite national security risks. They require manufacturers to secure waivers to sell new devices in the US market.

The FCC began by targeting foreign drones. It then expanded the scope to include routers, power inverters, and mobile robots. The robot ban specifically covers robovacs. The agency states that these gadgets pose unacceptable threats to US national security.

No public evidence has been released to support these claims. The FCC has not identified specific vulnerabilities in existing devices. It has also not explained how the waiver process guarantees security improvements for new imports.

TP-Link is currently fighting to keep its new Wi-Fi 8 routers on the market. The company launched these devices but cannot import them due to the ban. Competitors Netgear and Asus received blanket waivers earlier this year. TP-Link has not yet secured a similar exemption.

In a letter to the FCC, TP-Link proposed a $1 billion investment in US manufacturing. The company aims to create hundreds of jobs in research, development, and construction over four years. It plans to begin assembling its Wi-Fi 8 devices in the United States by next year. This offer stands in contrast to Netgear and Asus, which received exemptions without publicly committing to US production plans.

Taiwan-based MSI recently received conditional approval for two specific routers. The devices are the Radix GRBE94 and GRBE34. They are pending certification before they can enter the US market.

The FCC is also tightening oversight on product testing. It plans to ban Chinese labs from testing US gadgets by 2029. The agency will only authorize labs that maintain a reciprocal economic relationship with the US. It will vote on this proposal on October 29. The FCC has already decertified two Chinese test labs for providing false equipment test results.

The drone ban has created confusion for smaller manufacturers. HoverAir stopped taking US orders for its Versa camera drone three days after its Indiegogo debut. The company claims it is shipping only the camera body to the US due to logistics updates. The FCC database no longer lists an entry for the device, suggesting its authorization was pulled.

DJI faces continued scrutiny through its associated companies. The FCC recently blocked applications from Jovistar, which it identified as a DJI front company. The agency also proposed a $25,000 fine against Xtra Technology for failing to respond to official letters. Xtra has paused preorders for its Muse 2 Pro camera and is refunding deposits.

The FCC is also considering rules for online marketplaces. It is taking comments on a plan that would require platforms like Etsy to validate the FCC status of each gadget before listing it for sale. This measure aims to prevent banned devices from being sold through third-party sites.

The FCC’s media relations director Katie Gorscak confirmed that the robot ban includes vacuum cleaners. The agency says these devices map homes and carry cameras and microphones. The ban targets the origin of the hardware rather than specific security features. It effectively prevents new foreign-made robot vacuums from entering the US unless they are built domestically.