The Federal Communications Commission has banned the importation of new consumer routers and networking equipment manufactured outside the United States, marking the latest restriction on foreign-made technology products entering the American market.

The ban, which follows a similar December prohibition on foreign-manufactured drones, prevents companies from importing new consumer networking gear unless they receive specific exemptions from the FCC. The regulatory action targets future imports rather than existing products already in the market.

The FCC cited national security concerns as the primary justification for the restriction, describing foreign-made networking equipment as presenting "an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States." The agency has not specified which countries or manufacturers are of particular concern.

The decision represents an expansion of federal efforts to restrict foreign technology products from entering critical American infrastructure and consumer markets. Consumer routers serve as gateways for internet traffic in homes and small businesses, handling sensitive data transmissions.

Manufacturers seeking to import consumer networking equipment will need to apply for exemptions from the FCC to continue bringing their products into the United States. The commission has not detailed the specific criteria or process for obtaining such exemptions.

The ban adds to growing restrictions on foreign technology imports as federal agencies increasingly scrutinize potential security vulnerabilities in equipment that handles American communications and data.