FCC Adds Foreign-Produced Power Inverters and Robots to Covered List

On July 28, 2026, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission released Public Notice DA 26-786, officially announcing the update to the Controlled List by adding two categories — "foreign-produced advanced robotic devices" and "foreign-produced power inverters" — to its regulatory scope, which has drawn high attention from relevant industrial manufacturers.

Targeting the core details of this policy adjustment, we have listed several widely concerned questions to help you quickly and fully understand the relevant compliance requirements.

Q1: How is "advanced robotic devices" defined?

The FCC follows the definitions in the National Security Determinations.“Advanced robotic device” is defined as:

●  A mechanical mobile device, including autonomous mobile robots, humanoid robots, and quadrupeds, that –

     (i) Is capable of locomotion, obstacle avoidance, navigation, or movement on the ground;

     (ii) Operates at a distance from a human operator or supervisor based on commands or in response to sensor data or any combination thereof; and

     (iii) The combined weight of the device and, if applicable, ground station or docking station is over 4.4lbs; and

     (iv) Contains a component falling within each of the below subparagraphs:

             A.  a sensor capable of perceiving its environment;

             B.  a component that is capable of providing network connectivity (wired or wireless, including Bluetooth/WiFi, cellular, or satellite) with connection speeds of at least 200 kbps in either direction; and

            C.  software running either locally or remotely, including firmware and AI or machine-learning model weights, that controls the robot’s autonomous navigation or movement perception, data collection, or remote command-and-control; and

●  Does not include:

     (i) A “connected vehicle,” as that term is defined in 15 CFR § 791.301, but including a connected vehicle of any gross weight;

     (ii) A vehicle operated only on a rail line;

     (iii) An “uncrewed aircraft” or “uncrewed aircraft system,” as defined in 47 CFR § 7 88.5;

     (iv) An unmanned underwater vehicle that is able to operate without a human occupant;

     (v) Items that are classified as devices under section 513 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. §360c), including surgical instruments, components, and ambulatory and mobility assistive devices (such as canes, crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs), whether or not powered, and whether the item was cleared under section 510(k), approved under section 515, classified under section 513(f)(2), or exempt from premarket notification; and

     (vi) A fixed, stationary, non-mobile robot, including articulating, parallel/delta, Cartesian/gantry, or Selective Compliance Assembly, or Articulated, Robot Arm (SCARA) robots intended for industrial or medical use.

Q2: How is "power inverters" defined?

The FCC follows the definitions in the National Security Determinations.

 “Power Inverter” means:

A bi-directional power device or system that converts direct current electricity to alternating current electricity, or converts alternating current electricity to direct current electricity, to include microinverters, string inverters, central inverters, and hybrid (battery-based) inverters; and

Contains components that enable remote communication, control, sensing, data-collection, or monitoring through Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, or other similar connections.

Q3: What constitutes “foreign-produced”? 

For the purposes of both “foreign-produced advanced robotic devices” and “foreign-produced power inverters,” the term “foreign-produced” refers to any article that would not qualify as a “domestic end product,” as that term is defined in 48 CFR § 25.101(a).

The FCC’s Covered List therefore tracks this language.

Q4: What does this update to the Covered List mean in practice?

New foreign-produced advanced robotic devices and power inverters are generally prohibited from receiving FCC authorization to be imported, marketed, or sold in the U.S.

However, this does not affect:

The continued importing, marketing, or selling of existing models of advanced robotic devices and power inverters that that have already received FCC equipment authorization.

The continued use of such devices that consumers have already purchased.

Q5: Does this action affect the Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) equipment authorization process for foreign-produced advanced robotic devices and power inverters?

All “covered” equipment is prohibited from receiving any FCC equipment authorization, including via the streamlined SDoC equipment authorization process.

A new type of foreign-produced advanced robotic device or power inverter cannot evade the Covered List restrictions by relying on SDoC.

Q6: How can I receive a Conditional Approval for my foreign-produced advanced robotic devices and power inverters?

Entities can apply for “Conditional Approvals” by submitting an email with the information in the guidance [email protected].  The information will be forwarded to DoW and/or DHS for their evaluation.