The US government added new foreign-made humanoid robots and certain power inverters to the FCC's Covered List, effectively barring imports of new models cited as national-security and supply-chain risks. The FCC warned the devices could be exploited to disable equipment, steal data, enable surveillance or be remotely commandeered. Existing FCC-authorised models remain allowable while the move intensifies scrutiny of technology ties with China and other foreign suppliers.
US Moves to Block New Imports of Foreign-Made Humanoid Robots and Power Inverters Citing Security Risks
China is the biggest maker of humanoid robots in the world [VCG via Getty Images]
The Trump administration announced a ban on imports of new foreign-made advanced humanoid robots and certain power inverters, saying the devices present "unacceptable risks" to US national security and critical supply chains.
What the Ban Covers
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) added advanced robotic systems — including humanoid and four-legged robots — and specific power inverters to its Covered List, a register of goods and services the agency considers a threat to national security. The rules apply to new foreign-produced devices; models that were previously authorised by the FCC may still be sold or imported.
Security Concerns Cited
FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the agency was acting "to secure America's critical supply chains." The FCC warned that foreign-made inverters could be exploited to disable equipment, steal data, enable remote access or surveillance by foreign actors, or be otherwise compromised in cyberattacks. It also said robots built abroad could be used to surveil Americans, bolster foreign intelligence capabilities, or be remotely commandeered.
Context And Reactions
Many advanced humanoid robots and related components are produced in China, where companies have aggressively developed and commercialised machines for factories and homes. The move comes amid broader US-China tensions over trade, technology and artificial intelligence. US officials have signalled they could pursue sanctions or other measures against foreign firms in response to alleged intellectual property theft and other risks. The BBC contacted the Chinese embassy in Washington and manufacturers including Unitree, UBTech and AgiBot for comment.
Implications
Industry observers say the ban could slow imports of certain high-end devices while accelerating efforts by US firms to develop domestic alternatives. Companies and supply-chain partners now face uncertainty about procurement and compliance as regulators implement the new restrictions.
Note: The ban targets new imports on the FCC's Covered List; it does not retroactively block devices already authorised by the FCC.
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