Here’s what the FCC ban on foreign-manufactured routers actually means for consumers

The FCC has banned future imports of consumer-grade Wi‑Fi routers manufactured overseas.

Most consumer routers on the U.S. market are produced outside the United States, so the rule affects common products.

The FCC stated foreign-made routers pose unacceptable risks to U.S. national security and to the safety and security of U.S. persons.

The directive does not apply to routers already imported or currently for sale, but availability could change in the future.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr commented on the security risk and the agency’s actions; the administration’s 2025 National Security Strategy prioritized national security. Vendors TP‑Link, Asus, Netgear, and Linksys were contacted for comment.