Hikvision Banned in the U.S. (2026): What Michigan Businesses Should Do Now

If your Michigan business runs Hikvision security cameras, 2026 brought changes you need to understand. A series of FCC rulings has effectively pushed Hikvision — one of the world's largest camera manufacturers — out of the U.S. market, and the supply of new equipment, replacement parts, warranties, and tech support is drying up fast. Here is a plain-English breakdown of what happened, what it means for your existing system, and what your options are.

What Happened: The FCC Closed the Hikvision Loophole

The crackdown on Hikvision didn't happen overnight — it built over several years:

• 2019 — NDAA ban. The National Defense Authorization Act barred federal agencies, contractors, and recipients of federal funds from buying or using Hikvision and Dahua equipment.
• 2022 — No new models. The FCC stopped authorizing new Hikvision equipment for the U.S. market on national-security grounds.
• Late 2025 — Legacy authorizations restricted. The FCC adopted an order to limit previously granted authorizations, tightening the rules on already-approved gear.
• June 2026 — The loophole closed. The FCC extended the ban to cover legacy and older equipment models that had been grandfathered in, effectively ending compliant importation of Hikvision (and Dahua, Huawei, ZTE, and Hytera) hardware for covered uses starting July 2026.

The result: U.S. distributors and security dealers have been clearing out their remaining Hikvision inventory, and major suppliers are dropping the product lines. For a business owner, that means the cameras on your wall are getting harder to expand, repair, or replace through legitimate channels.

Can You Still Use Your Existing Hikvision Cameras?

Yes — with important caveats. No current federal rule forces a private business to physically remove Hikvision cameras that are already installed and running. The FCC's restrictions target importation, marketing, and sale of new equipment, not the continued operation of existing systems in most private commercial settings.

But "you can keep using it" is not the same as "you're in good shape." The practical reality is deteriorating in several ways:

• Replacement parts are drying up. When a camera, NVR, or DVR fails, sourcing a compliant replacement through authorized U.S. distribution is increasingly difficult.
• Warranties and tech support are disappearing. As suppliers drop the line, the warranty, repair, and support infrastructure behind your system erodes.
• You can't easily expand. Adding cameras to match a Hikvision system you already own is becoming impractical.
• Compliance and liability risk is rising. If your business does any government, education, healthcare, or federally-funded work — or ever bids on it — Hikvision equipment can disqualify you or create liability exposure.

Who Needs to Act First

Some Michigan organizations have more urgency than others. You should prioritize a replacement plan if you are:

• A federal contractor or subcontractor — NDAA Section 889 prohibits Hikvision equipment anywhere in your operation, not just on the government job.
• A school, university, or healthcare organization — especially any receiving federal funding.
• A critical-infrastructure or public-safety operation.
• Any business that bids on government work — non-compliant cameras can cost you the contract.
• Any owner who simply wants a system they can service and support for the next decade.

What Are Your Compliant Options?

The good news: there are excellent, U.S.-compliant camera platforms that meet current federal guidelines and are fully supported for the long haul. At Michigan Security Systems we design and install commercial camera systems from transparent, compliant manufacturers, including Axis Communications, Hanwha Vision, and Digital Watchdog — paired with compliant access control from PDK and others.

One caution: "NDAA compliant" claims deserve scrutiny. Many affordable cameras on Amazon and other platforms are actually Hikvision or Dahua hardware sold under OEM sub-brands like HiLook, HiWatch, or dozens of rebranded labels. A knowledgeable integrator verifies the actual manufacturer and chipset — not just the badge on the box.

Replacing a Hikvision System: How We Handle It

You don't have to rip everything out overnight. Our approach for Michigan businesses moving off Hikvision:

• Audit — we inventory exactly what you have, including rebranded OEM gear you may not realize is Hikvision.
• Prioritize — we identify the cameras and recorders that matter most and any compliance deadlines you face.
• Phase the replacement — where it makes sense, we can often reuse existing cabling and infrastructure to control cost, replacing equipment in planned stages rather than all at once.
• Standardize — we move you onto one compliant, integrated platform for cameras, access control, and alarms, backed by one accountable local team.

Because we use our own licensed technicians — never subcontractors — the same team that designs your compliant system also installs and services it, with warranty and support you can actually reach.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Regulations around covered equipment continue to evolve; for how the rules apply to your specific situation, consult qualified counsel or contact us for a system assessment.