Pre-2024 Covered List Marketing Import Limitation

The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology prohibit the continued importation and marketing of previously authorized covered communications equipment added to the Covered List in 2024 or earlier, while preserving existing users’ ability to operate equipment they already possess.

What it does This Public Notice applies the authorization-limitation framework established in the Equipment Authorization Security Second Report and Order to equipment authorized before the FCC’s 2022 rules and later placed on the Covered List. The prohibition excludes equipment added after 2024, including specified 2025 and 2026 additions. For use-based Covered List entries, the restriction applies only to covered uses; physical security surveillance of critical infrastructure is temporarily exempted until the FCC adopts a definition and guidance for “critical infrastructure.” Statutory and regulatory exceptions, including specified government marketing and importation circumstances, remain available.

Who it affects Importers, marketers, authorization holders, distributors, and sellers of covered equipment are affected. Existing owners may continue using and operating legally purchased equipment. The action particularly concerns equipment associated with entities identified through congressional or national-security determinations, including Hikvision, Hytera, and equipment incorporating Kaspersky software.

Why it matters The FCC concludes that national-security risks outweigh economic and supply-chain concerns, rejecting requests for longer transition periods, phased implementation, replacement exemptions, or reimbursement. It states that the prohibition is intended to prevent continued deployment and market flooding of equipment previously determined to pose unacceptable risks, without revoking underlying authorizations.

Key dates and numbers

• Released June 26, 2026; effective 10 days after Federal Register publication.
• Covers equipment added to the Covered List in 2024 or earlier.
• The March 27, 2026 comment Public Notice provided at least 30 days for public comment.
• Equipment added to the initial 2021 listing has not received authorization since November 11, 2022.
• The critical-infrastructure-use suspension ends when the FCC adopts a definition and interpretive guidance.