To receive authorization, companies must outline a plan to move production to the United States.
On March 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made the sale of consumer routers not manufactured within the U.S. practically illegal, unless they have already received prior FCC authorization.
According to the official statement, the measure “does not prohibit the import, sale, or use of any existing device models that the FCC has previously authorized.” However, the move forces a rapid transition of router manufacturing to the U.S., particularly as it remains unclear if any consumer routers are currently manufactured there.
The ban stems from a “National Security Determination” issued last Friday, which highlighted an alarming trend:
“Recently, malicious state-sponsored and non-state cybercriminals have increasingly exploited vulnerabilities in small-office and home routers manufactured abroad to conduct direct attacks against American civilians in their homes.”
These vulnerabilities were reportedly exploited in notorious hacks, including the 2024 actions of the group Salt Typhoon. The determination mandates that the router supply chain be secured to ensure Americans are not inadvertently providing unauthorized access to U.S. infrastructure.
This ban is significantly larger in scope than the previous year’s restrictions on foreign drones. It builds upon the 2021 Secure Equipment Act, which prohibited the FCC from licensing equipment from companies deemed national security threats.
The FCC maintains a list of products and services that represent an “unacceptable risk” to national security. This list now includes:
Popular router brands such as TP-Link and Netgear typically manufacture their products in Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Much of this electronics supply chain had already shifted from China to Southeast Asia during the trade disputes of the first Trump administration.
The FCC notice provides details on how companies can obtain “Conditional Approval.” The requirements include:
This measure is clearly situated within the context of the ongoing trade and security disputes between the U.S. and the “Asian dragon.”
Amanda Torati is a linguist and postgraduate scholar specializing in digital communication. With a deep-seated passion for the tech world, she focuses on deconstructing complex digital trends and making them accessible to a global audience. Amanda combines her academic background in languages with technical research to ensure that every guide and review at ABWavesTech is both precise and easy to understand for our readers.
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