FCC Bans on Imported Robots

The FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) provides a list, called “Covered List”, of equipment and services that are deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to national security in the United States.

The list was initially published in 2021, and it mainly included some types of video surveillance and telecommunications equipment. However, the list has been updated several times since then.

On 28 July 2026, the list was updated to include some types of:

• Foreign-produced advanced robotic devices
• Foreign-produced power inverters

In this guide, I take a close look at the update concerning advanced robotic devices.

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Which robots are banned by the FCC?

According to the FCC’s Public Notice concerning the addition of foreign-produced power inverters and advanced robotic devices, all “foreign-produced advanced robotic devices” have been added to the Covered List, excluding advanced robotic devices for which the Department of War (DOW) grants a Conditional Approval.

The document lists the following unacceptable risks for advanced robotic systems:

The networked capabilities of advanced robotic systems create extensive vulnerabilities and vectors for attacks that can manipulate the data and physical operation of the advanced robotic system. Relying on foreign-produced advanced robotic devices presents unacceptable supply chain and cybersecurity vulnerabilities . . . Advanced robotic devices collect data that could be leveraged by malign actors to surveil Americans, enhance the capabilities of foreign intelligence services, or to remotely commandeer the robots.

The FAQ on Recent Updates to FCC Covered List explains the following:

Equipment on the Covered List (“covered equipment”) is prohibited from getting FCC equipment authorization. Most electronic devices require FCC equipment authorization prior to importation, marketing, or sale in the United States. Covered equipment is banned from receiving new equipment authorizations, preventing new devices from entering the U.S. market.

Note that, additionally, according to the FAQ, the term “foreign-produced” indicates articles that do not qualify as a “domestic end product,” according to the definition provided in 48 CFR Part 25.101(a).

Also, entities producing advanced robotic devices in a foreign country can request an evaluation to determine if their products do not pose “unacceptable risks to national security” with the goal of receiving a conditional approval that exempts their devices from the Covered List.

Which types of robots are subject to the ban?

I found that an “advanced robot device” is defined in the FAQ as a mechanical mobile device (e.g autonomous mobile robots, humanoid robots, quadrupeds) that:

• Can move and avoid obstacles, and
• Can be operated remotely by a human, and
• Has a weight of over 4.4lbs, including ground or docking station, and
• Contains sensors, network connectivity devices (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth), and software that controls the robot.

I also found that the definition of “advanced robot device” does not include:

• Connected vehicles as defined in 15 CFR Part 791.301 (e.g., some vehicles designed to drive on public streets)
• Vehicles operated in rail lines
• “Uncrewed aircraft” and “uncrewed aircraft system,” as defined in 47 CFR Part 88.5
• Some types of unmanned underwater vehicles
• Some medical devices (e.g., surgical instruments, mobility assistive devices)
• Some types of fixed, stationary, non-mobile robots

Are imported parts used to make robots banned?

I could not find any information concerning imported parts.

Are all imported robots banned?

Not all imported robots are banned. Only “advanced robot devices” as described in a previous section of this guide are banned from receiving new equipment authorizations from the FCC. This, in turn, prevents new devices from entering the US market.

Are there any exemptions?

I found that a foreign entity producing a covered robot can request a “conditional approval” to the DOW by providing the information listed in the document entitled “Guidance on Submissions for Conditional Approval for Foreign-Produced Advanced Robotic Devices Subject to the FCC’s Covered List”.

The document lists the following types of required information:

• Corporate Structure
• Manufacturing and Supply Chain Disclosure
• U.S. Manufacturing and Onshoring Plan

Besides that, I also found that an entity can import “small batches of unauthorized devices” for product development and testing purposes, as long as the products are not marketed or sold.

When does the ban apply?

I could only find that foreign-produced advanced robotic devices have been added to the Covered List on July 28, 2026.

Does the ban apply to robots that are already imported?

According to the FAQ, only new models are covered. Any device model that was previously authorized by the FCC can be imported and sold.

Also, consumers can keep using previously purchased devices.

Under which regulation are foreign robots banned?

I found that the Covered List is based on Section 2(a) of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (codified as amended at 47 U.S.C. §§ 1601–1609).