Is Hikvision no longer allowed in the US?

Is Hikvision Banned in the US? What You Need to Know

If you operate a business, manage IT infrastructure, or oversee a home security system, you have likely asked yourself a critical question recently: Is Hikvision no longer allowed in the US? As one of the world’s largest video surveillance manufacturers, Hikvision has been a staple in the security industry for years. However, sweeping legislative actions, aggressive Federal Communications Commission (FCC) crackdowns, and mounting cybersecurity warnings have fundamentally changed the legality of Hikvision cameras in the United States.  

Here is the definitive breakdown of the Hikvision US ban, what it means for your current security system, and how to avoid compliance penalties.

The Short Answer: Is Hikvision Banned in the US?

Yes, Hikvision is effectively banned in the United States. While the ban began as a restriction targeting federal buildings, it has expanded into a comprehensive blockade on the importation, sale, and online retailing of all new and legacy Hikvision products.  

If you are trying to source new Hikvision cameras from major online retailers like Amazon, you will find they have been completely purged from the marketplace. Furthermore, buying "white-label" or rebranded cameras that secretly contain Hikvision components is no longer a viable workaround.  

Timeline of the Hikvision US Ban: How We Got Here

The restrictions against Hikvision didn't happen overnight. They are the result of a multi-year effort by the U.S. government to secure national supply chains against foreign espionage and cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

• 2019 (The NDAA Section 889 Ban): The U.S. government passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which legally blocked federal agencies and government contractors from buying or using Hikvision and Dahua equipment.  

• 2021–2022 (The Secure Equipment Act): The FCC formally stopped authorizing any new electronic equipment from Hikvision, meaning no new camera models could legally enter the U.S. market.  

• Late 2025 (Closing the Loopholes): The FCC launched a massive enforcement action, urging major U.S. e-commerce platforms to remove millions of listings of "previously authorized" Hikvision equipment. Additionally, rules were finalized to ban component-level equipment, effectively blocking third-party brands that use Hikvision circuit boards or sensors.  

Why Were Hikvision Cameras Banned?

The U.S. government, alongside agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), cited two main reasons for the ban:

1. National Security and State Ownership

Hikvision is partially state-owned by the Chinese government. U.S. intelligence agencies raised severe concerns that the Chinese Communist Party could compel the manufacturer to leverage its global network of cameras for surveillance, geopolitical tracking, or data harvesting.  

2. Critical Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities & Backdoors

Hikvision software has been plagued by severe security flaws. Security researchers have repeatedly discovered "backdoors" allowing remote hackers to hijack cameras without needing a username or password.  

⚠️ Critical Update: CISA officially added a major legacy Hikvision vulnerability (CVE-2017-7921) to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog after confirming that threat actors are still actively exploiting these unpatched cameras in the wild to compromise private networks.  

The Impact on Businesses and Homeowners

If You Are A...	What the Hikvision Ban Means For You
Government Contractor	Strictly Prohibited. If your business handles local, state, or federal government contracts, having a Hikvision camera on your property can nullify your contracts. You must achieve NDAA compliance.
Private Business Owner	High Risk. While you won't be fined by the police for having an existing camera, your system is now "frozen in time." There will be no future firmware updates, technical support, or replacement parts. Your network is highly vulnerable to hacking.
Residential Homeowner	Obsolete Equipment. Existing DIY systems will still record video, but you cannot expand your system with new parts. Major e-commerce platforms have pulled the items, meaning you are limited to gray-market liquidations.

What Should You Do Next?

If your property currently relies on Hikvision or Dahua technology, operating on borrowed time is a massive cybersecurity liability. Take the following steps to secure your premises:

1. Conduct a Security Audit: Identify every IP camera, Network Video Recorder (NVR), and software component in your building to see if they originate from blacklisted manufacturers.

2. Beware of "White-Label" Traps: Many budget-friendly security brands simply slap their logo onto a camera manufactured by Hikvision. Look for explicit NDAA-compliant certification.  

3. Transition to Approved Alternatives: Begin a phased migration to trusted, compliant hardware brands (such as Axis Communications, Hanwha Vision, or Bosch) that offer secure data privacy protocols and guaranteed long-term firmware support.