FCC Adds Foreign-Made Advanced Robotics to 'Covered List'
The Federal Communications Commission has effectively barred new models of foreign-produced advanced robotic devices from the U.S. market, citing national security risks.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on July 28, 2026, added foreign-produced "advanced robotic devices" to its Covered List, a roster of equipment deemed to pose an unacceptable national security risk. Under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act, listed equipment cannot receive FCC authorization, effectively barring new or modified models from being imported or sold in the U.S. The action, widely seen as targeting Chinese technology, follows similar prohibitions on drones, routers, and power inverters.
Sophisticated counsel should understand this signals the FCC's aggressive use of its authority to manage supply chain security. The rule impacts a broad range of mobile, networked robots used in logistics, security, and infrastructure. Companies across the technology and industrial sectors must assess their exposure, as the definition of "foreign-produced" is technical, hinging on manufacturing location and a 65% domestic component cost threshold. Counsel should advise clients to immediately audit product roadmaps and supply chains, update supplier contracts to address regulatory risk, and monitor for refinements to the rule's scope. A conditional approval process exists but requires a significant U.S. onshoring commitment.