FCC bans Chinese + Hong Kong labs — what Chinese robot makers must know

1. What happened

On April 30, 2026 the FCC voted to advance a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that, if finalized, would prohibit FCC-recognised Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCBs) and accredited test labs in mainland China and Hong Kong from issuing test reports usable for FCC equipment authorization. This is a major escalation of the existing 'covered list' restriction, which previously named only ~15 state-owned Chinese labs. The new proposal extends the ban to every lab in the region, regardless of ownership.

• The vote initiates a 60-90 day public comment period.
• If the rule is finalized after comment, a 2-year transition period would follow before full enforcement.
• Existing FCC IDs already granted are NOT revoked — the rule applies to new test reports submitted after the rule takes effect.
• Modules already pre-certified by Chinese labs continue to carry their existing grants; new submissions need a non-China lab.

2. Impact on Chinese manufacturers

• About 75% of current global FCC test volume is performed by Chinese labs (BACL, CCIC, and the China branches of TÜV/SGS/Intertek). All of this needs to migrate.
• Sample-shipping logistics get harder — samples must clear US / Taiwan / EU customs (more paperwork, FCC Form 740 still required, sometimes a Carnet).
• Test slot availability tightens — non-China labs are absorbing the volume and queues are getting longer.
• Bilingual project management gets harder — most US labs do not have Mandarin-speaking PMs.
• Pre-certified modules become more attractive — using one shifts the test campaign off the host product.

3. Current timeline

1. 2026-04-30FCC vote — Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted.
2. 2026 May – Aug60-90 day public comment period (everyone can file comments via fcc.gov).
3. Late 2026 / 2027FCC reviews comments, issues Final Rule (or revises based on comments).
4. 2-year transitionIf finalized, full enforcement starts 2 years after the Final Rule. Existing FCC IDs unchanged.

4. Recommended alternative labs

Migration order, safest first:

5. Estimated cost impact

6. How we help you respond

• ✅Sample receipt at our San Diego address — your samples land in the US, we inspect + photo them, and forward to the test lab. NEW service, $200-500/batch.
• ✅Lab referrals in US / Taiwan / Europe / Japan / Korea via our expert directory.
• ✅US Agent of record (mandatory for foreign FCC applicants under 47 CFR § 2.909).
• ✅Free document templates updated to reflect the post-ban filing landscape.
• ✅Free weekly digest covering FCC / TCB / MRA changes — subscribe on the news page.

7. Action checklist — do this now

1. Audit your in-flight FCC projects — note which ones are mid-test at a Chinese lab and consult the lab on a transition path.
2. For projects starting in the next 6 months: switch the formal-test booking to a US, Taiwan, EU, or JP / KR lab.
3. Re-budget — formal test cost has tripled (or more). Update internal cost estimates and customer quotes.
4. Consider a pre-certified Wi-Fi / BT module to take radios out of the test campaign entirely.
5. Designate a US Agent (required by 47 CFR 2.909) — we provide this from $299/year.
6. If you don't have one already, file the FCC public comment to make your voice heard during the open period.
7. Subscribe to our weekly digest to track the rule's progression to Final Rule.