China Lab vs US Lab: Where Should You Run FCC Testing?

Both options have NRTL-accredited labs that produce FCC-acceptable test reports. The choice comes down to three factors. **Cost.** China-based testing is 20-30% cheaper. A FCC ID for a Wi-Fi/BT robot costs ~$8,000 in Shenzhen at Intertek; the same testing in their US Houston lab is ~$11,000. The China advantage shrinks for complex multi-radio devices because the project management overhead is similar. **Timeline.** Counter-intuitive: China testing is often FASTER for Chinese manufacturers. Skip sample export (saves 1-2 weeks customs), in-language project meetings (no translation lag), faster sample re-spin if testing fails. China total: 6-10 weeks. US total: 8-12 weeks (including 2 weeks customs). **Communication.** The killer factor. PMs at Intertek Shenzhen, TÜV SÜD Beijing, BACL Shenzhen all speak Mandarin natively. PMs at US offices speak English. For first-time exporters, the communication overhead at a US lab is significant. **When to choose US:** - Specialized testing (high-power radar, automotive RF, FCC Part 18 industrial) where US labs have deeper expertise. - US Agent + lab in same building — faster doc handoff for time-critical projects. - US customer specifically requires it (rare but happens with government / DoD). **When to choose China:** - Standard FCC Part 15 work (Wi-Fi, BT, 4G, 5G consumer) — 90% of robotics work. - First-time foreign applicants — communication friction matters. - Tight budget — 20-30% cost savings on a $10K base is meaningful. **The middle path:** test in China, file through a US-based TCB. Some labs (Intertek, TÜV) handle this seamlessly — China engineers write the report, US TCB reviews and submits to FCC. You get China cost + US TCB convenience. Our recommendation for Chinese robotics OEMs doing first-time FCC: Intertek Shenzhen or TÜV SÜD Shenzhen for the test, US Agent + TCB through us. Best balance of cost and speed.