The FCC has intensified restrictions on Chinese tech, banning all new models of Chinese drones and, more recently, new models of consumer routers, while October actions moved to block approvals for devices with components from Covered List firms and signal possible retroactive actions on equipment already approved.

In a new move, the FCC proposed expanding the crackdown by seeking public comment on barring continued imports of previously authorized devices from Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision and Dahua.

These companies—Huawei, ZTE, Hytera, Hikvision, and Dahua—were added to the FCC’s Covered List in 2021 for national security reasons, with 2022 rules already barring new approvals for their models.

The crackdown has faced legal challenges, including Hikvision’s December lawsuit alleging FCC overreach, and a February 2025 appeals court ruling that rejected Hikvision’s bid to lift the 2022 ban on new equipment approvals.

Further legal pushback includes Hikvision’s December filing challenging the October FCC action, while the February 2025 decision upheld the 2022 ban on new Hikvision equipment.

Overall, legal actions have tracked the regulatory push, with Hikvision challenging authority and courts reinforcing the 2022 prohibitions on new equipment.

The article sits within an ongoing legal and regulatory backdrop as the FCC continues to act against Chinese technology in the U.S.

Contextually, the FCC has broadened its stance by withdrawing recognition from certain Chinese-controlled test labs and moving to restrict Chinese firms from providing specific telecom services in the United States.

These moves are part of a wider national-security-oriented push, including diminished recognition of Chinese-controlled labs and ongoing limits on Chinese tech access.

The FCC tentatively concludes that barring continued import and marketing of previously authorized equipment is necessary to protect national security and prevent a rush to import new devices.

The proposed plan would allow continued use of already purchased equipment while potentially blocking imports of devices approved before the 2022 order once finalized.

The current proposal invites comment on whether to bar continued import of U.S. sales of equipment approved before 2022, arguing this would reduce risks to the U.S. communications sector.