Chinese Products Banned in the US: The Complete 2026 Reference List

This is a structured reference page covering all Chinese products currently banned or restricted from import into the United States as of June 2026. It organizes restrictions into four categories: complete bans, tariff-restricted goods, security-restricted companies, and safety-recalled products.

No single page on the internet currently covers all four. News articles cover individual bans as they happen. Law firm alerts cover entity list updates. CPSC covers recalls. This page puts everything in one place, updated quarterly.


Quick Reference: What’s Currently Restricted

CategoryScopeExamples
Complete BanCannot be imported, sold, or used in the USHuawei phones, DJI drones (new models), Hikvision cameras, Kaspersky software, UFLPA forced-labor goods
Tariff-RestrictedLegal but subject to 25-100%+ dutiesEVs (100%), solar cells (50%), steel (50%), batteries (25%), syringes (50%), all Chinese goods (10% fentanyl surcharge + 10% reciprocal)
Security-RestrictedEntity list — no US components, no federal procurement143+ BIS entities, 78 DoD-listed military companies (status in flux), BIOSECURE Act biotech firms
Safety-RestrictedFDA import alerts, CPSC recallsMelamine-contaminated food, asbestos-containing toys, lithium battery fire risks

Section 1: Complete Bans

Products that cannot be legally imported, sold, or operated in the United States.

Telecommunications & Surveillance Equipment

Product / CompanyLegal AuthorityEffective DateWhat’s Covered
HuaweiFCC Covered ListMarch 2021All telecom equipment, smartphones, networking gear
ZTEFCC Covered ListMarch 2021All telecom and networking equipment
HikvisionFCC Covered ListMarch 2021IP cameras, surveillance systems, NVRs
DahuaFCC Covered ListMarch 2021IP cameras, surveillance equipment
HyteraFCC Covered ListMarch 2021Two-way radios, communication equipment
TP-LinkUnder federal investigation2025Routers, mesh systems, smart home devices (investigation ongoing; no ban yet, but retailers pulling inventory)
Foreign-made consumer routersFCC orderMarch 2026All new consumer routers manufactured outside the US. Covers most TP-Link, Xiaomi, Honor routers

Drones

Product / CompanyLegal AuthorityEffective DateWhat’s Covered
DJI (new models)FCC ban on foreign dronesDecember 2025New drone models + 9 component categories: batteries, motors, cameras, flight controllers, gimbals, communications modules, navigation modules, obstacle avoidance sensors, remote ID modules
Autel RoboticsFCC foreign drone banDecember 2025Same component restrictions as DJI
Other Chinese drone manufacturersFCC foreign drone banDecember 2025Broadly covers “foreign-manufactured” drones from designated countries

Note: Existing DJI drones purchased before December 2025 are NOT retroactively banned. The ban applies to new models and new component imports. DJI sued the FCC in the 9th Circuit Court (February 2026), arguing the ban was procedurally invalid. The case is pending.

Software

ProductLegal AuthorityEffective DateWhat’s Covered
KasperskyCommerce Dept. banJuly 2024All Kaspersky cybersecurity software. Sale, resale, and updates prohibited in the US
TikTokProtecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications ActJanuary 2025Divestiture required. Ban enforcement has been extended multiple times via executive action. Status: operating but under ongoing restriction review

Forced Labor (UFLPA)

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) creates a presumptive prohibition on goods linked to forced labor in Xinjiang. The burden of proof is on the importer to demonstrate goods are NOT connected to forced labor.

144 entities are currently on the UFLPA Entity List as of June 2026. Full list: cbp.gov/trade/forced-labor/UFLPA-entity-list

Most affected categories:

  • Cotton and cotton products (textiles, apparel, home goods)
  • Tomatoes and tomato products
  • Polysilicon (used in solar panel manufacturing)
  • Textiles from specific Xinjiang-registered factories

What this means for buyers: Any product containing cotton or polysilicon from China faces heightened seizure risk at US customs. CBP detained 4,455 Chinese shipments in 2025 alone under various enforcement actions.


Section 2: Tariff-Restricted Products

These products are legal to import but face significantly elevated duties. The cumulative tariff on most Chinese goods now ranges from 28% to 122.5% when combining Section 301 + Section 232 + fentanyl surcharge + reciprocal tariff.

Section 301 Strategic Sector Tariffs (2024-2026)

Product CategoryAdditional TariffEffective Date
Electric vehicles100%September 2024
Solar cells50%September 2024
Semiconductors50%September 2024
High-purity silicon50%September 2024
Steel & aluminum (Section 232)50%September 2024
Syringes & needles50%September 2024
Li-ion EV batteries25%September 2024
Natural graphite25%September 2024
Permanent magnets25%September 2024
Medical gloves25%September 2024
Tungsten products25%September 2024
Face masks25%September 2024
Cranes25%September 2024

Universal Surcharges on All Chinese Goods

SurchargeRateEffective DateStatus
Fentanyl surcharge10%February 2025Reduced from 20% to 10% (Busan Summit truce, Oct 2025). Expires November 9, 2026
Reciprocal tariff10%April 2025Paused (Busan Summit truce, Oct 2025). Expires November 9, 2026

Legacy Section 301 Tariffs (Lists 1-4A)

In addition to the strategic sector tariffs above, Section 301 Lists 1-4A remain in effect at 7.5-25%, covering most consumer goods from China:

ListRateCoverage
List 125%Industrial components, machinery parts, medical devices
List 225%Plastics, chemicals, metals, auto parts
List 325%Broad consumer goods — furniture, lighting, appliances, tools
List 4A7.5%Apparel, footwear, toys, remaining consumer goods

Total effective duty example:

  • A Chinese-made sofa (List 3, 25%) + 10% fentanyl surcharge + 10% reciprocal tariff + baseline MFN rate (~3%) = ~48% total duty
  • A Chinese EV (100% strategic) + 10% fentanyl + 10% reciprocal + 2.5% MFN = ~122.5% total duty

De Minimis Packages (E-Commerce)

The $800 de minimis exemption for packages from China was eliminated in May 2025. As of June 2026, every Chinese e-commerce package entering the US faces:

  • 54% ad valorem duty, OR
  • $100 per piece flat charge (whichever is higher for lower-value items)

This directly affects Taobao agents, AliExpress, Temu, and Shein shipments.


Section 3: Security-Restricted Companies

Companies whose products are restricted due to national security designations. Restrictions vary by list.

BIS Entity List

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Entity List restricts the export, re-export, or transfer of US-origin goods, software, and technology to listed entities. 143+ entities added in 2025 across AI chips, quantum computing, hypersonics, and biotech sectors.

Key consumer-facing entities on the list:

  • Companies developing AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment
  • Quantum computing research organizations
  • Hypersonics and aerospace technology firms

Full list: bis.gov/entity-list

DoD 1260H Military Companies List

In February 2026, DoD added 78 firms to the 1260H list of Chinese military companies — including BYD, CATL, NIO, and Trina Solar — then abruptly withdrew the entire list on the same day. The list remains in administrative flux as of June 2026. H.R.1166 (House-passed, Senate pending) would codify battery supply chain restrictions with a 2027 effective date if enacted.

Companies to watch: CATL, BYD, EVE Energy, Gotion, Envision, Hithium. If H.R.1166 passes, US import of batteries and battery components from these companies would be restricted starting 2027.

BIOSECURE Act (FY2026 NDAA)

Prohibits federal procurement of biotechnology equipment and services from “biotechnology companies of concern” (linked to the DoD 1260H list). Affects biotech lab equipment, gene sequencing devices, and related services.

COINS Act (FY2026 NDAA)

Grants the President authority to ban US investment in Chinese defense and surveillance-sector equities. Expands the scope from goods to financial instruments.


Section 4: Safety-Restricted Products (Recalls & Import Alerts)

FDA Import Rejections (2025)

China was the top source of FDA-rejected shipments in 2025 with 4,455 refusals. Top rejection reasons:

Product CategoryViolationRejection Rate
Bakery products (cookies, snacks)Melamine contamination81.8% of Chinese cookie imports rejected
MushroomsListeria monocytogenesMultiple outbreaks
Citrus fruitsPesticide residues above limitsRecurring seasonal
SeafoodAntibiotic residues, mislabelingOngoing

Notable CPSC Recalls (2025-2026)

ProductIssueUnits AffectedDate
Stress relief squeeze toysTremolite asbestos detected121,340March 2026
Magnetic building toysIngestion and intestinal perforation risk45,000+February 2026
Memory foam mattressesFailed federal flammability standards (16 CFR 1633)32,000January 2026
Lithium-ion power banksFire and explosion risk85,000+December 2025
Electric scootersBattery fire and brake failure18,000November 2025

Ongoing Import Alerts

Active FDA Import Alerts on Chinese products as of June 2026:

  • Import Alert 99-08: Melamine-contaminated dairy and vegetable protein products
  • Import Alert 16-81: Seafood — antibiotic residues
  • Import Alert 99-39: Dietary supplements containing undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients
  • Import Alert 89-08: Medical devices lacking FDA premarket notification (510k)

Section 5: China’s Countermeasures

For the dual-perspective angle, here are China’s key retaliatory measures against US trade restrictions in 2025-2026:

DateChinese MeasureImpact
March 2025Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law: implementing regulationsAsset seizure powers; blocking US sanctions compliance in China
October 2025Rare earth export controlsExport restrictions on rare earth elements (China controls ~60% of global mining, ~90% of processing)
November 2025Lithium battery, cathode, graphite export controlsRestrictions on battery material exports
January 2026Ban on US/Israeli cybersecurity softwareGovernment procurement ban on US-origin cybersecurity products
April 2026Supply Chain Security Regulations + Counter-Extraterritorial Jurisdiction RegulationsCreation of “Malicious Entity List,” blocking orders on US sanctions, private right of action against foreign entities
May 2026First formal blocking orderBlocked enforcement of US Iran sanctions against a Chinese company, establishing precedent

What this means for cross-border commerce: As restrictions escalate, dual-use products (civilian and potential military applications) face the highest risk from both sides. Buyers of electronics components, rare earth-dependent products, and battery supply chain goods should monitor both US and Chinese regulatory calendars.


2026 Outlook: What’s Next

November 9, 2026: Truce Expiration. The Busan Summit truce (October 2025) paused the reciprocal tariff and reduced the fentanyl surcharge from 20% to 10%. Both expire on November 9, 2026. If not renewed:

  • Reciprocal tariff resumes at full rate
  • Fentanyl surcharge could snap back to 20%
  • Affiliates Rule (restricting Chinese access to advanced chips) reinstates

H.R.1166 Battery Supply Chain. If passed by the Senate, battery imports from CATL, BYD, and others face restrictions starting 2027.

DJI Legal Challenge. DJI’s lawsuit against the FCC is in the 9th Circuit. A ruling is expected by late 2026.

UFLPA Expansion. CBP has signaled continued expansion of the UFLPA Entity List. Cotton, polysilicon, and textiles remain the highest-risk categories.


How to Use This Page

If you’re an importer: Check your product category against all four restriction tiers. A product may be legal under one authority but restricted under another. A drone may not be on the Entity List but is completely banned under FCC rules. An electronic component may be legal but faces 50% Section 301 duty plus the 10% fentanyl surcharge.

If you’re an e-commerce seller: The de minimis elimination means every package from China now faces duties. Factor 54% ad valorem or $100/piece into your unit economics. Consider US-based 3PL warehousing for higher-volume SKUs.

If you’re a consumer: Most individual purchases from Chinese platforms (Taobao, AliExpress, Temu, Shein) are not directly affected by entity list restrictions. But prices are rising due to tariffs, and delivery is slower due to increased customs processing. Counterfeit goods face higher seizure risk in 2026 than in prior years.


Last updated: June 2026. This page is updated quarterly. To suggest additions or corrections, see our contact page.

See also: How to Buy from Taobao · 1688 Agent Guide · How to Register on 1688