Sourcing Security Cameras & CCTV Systems from China: Wholesale Guide

China is the dominant manufacturer of IP cameras, CCTV systems, and video surveillance equipment globally. Hikvision and Dahua, both Chinese companies, together hold roughly 40% of the global market. Dozens of smaller Hangzhou, Shenzhen, and Dongguan factories produce the hardware that gets sold under hundreds of different brand names in US and European markets.

But this category has a significant complication: US federal law now restricts or bans certain Chinese camera brands from government and federal contractor use, and the restrictions are expanding. You need to understand this before you import.

The Regulatory Landscape for Chinese Cameras

The NDAA Section 889 Ban: The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (Section 889) prohibits US federal agencies and federal contractors from purchasing or using video surveillance equipment from Hikvision, Dahua, Huawei, ZTE, and Hytera. This ban applies to direct purchases and to equipment where these companies’ components are incorporated.

This doesn’t affect non-government commercial sales — a small business, homeowner, or private company can still buy Hikvision or Dahua cameras. But if any of your customers are federal contractors, government agencies, or entities receiving federal funding, selling them cameras with these brands’ components creates compliance issues.

Practical impact on importers: Many importers buying “unbranded” IP cameras from Chinese factories are unknowingly buying cameras with Hikvision or Dahua chipsets and firmware. The chips and embedded software are the restricted components, not just the brand name. Ask factories explicitly whether their camera systems use Hikvision or Dahua OEM hardware, chipsets, or firmware.

FCC and CPNI concerns: The FCC has also been scrutinizing Chinese networking and surveillance equipment. While the current ban targets the specific brands above, the regulatory environment is evolving.

Factory Tiers and Pricing

Despite the government restrictions, this is a massive and profitable category for commercial and residential buyers.

Budget IP cameras ($6–15 factory cost): 1080p or 2MP sensors, fixed lens, basic motion detection, H.264 compression, app connectivity. Suitable for residential DIY, rental property monitoring, retail use cases where basic surveillance is enough. Most use generic chipsets (Ingenic, Fullhan, HiSilicon — note HiSilicon is Huawei’s chip subsidiary, which may create NDAA issues for commercial customers).

Mid-range ($15–45 factory cost): 4MP or 8MP (4K) sensors, motorized varifocal or optical zoom lenses, H.265+ compression (reducing storage needs significantly), IR night vision to 30–50m, two-way audio, AI features (person/vehicle detection, license plate recognition, perimeter protection). NVR kits with 4–16 camera systems are popular with commercial buyers.

Professional ($45–150 factory cost per camera): PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras, bullet or dome form factors with varifocal motorized lenses, 8MP–12MP sensors, starlight sensors for extremely low light, ONVIF compliance (interoperability standard for IP cameras), PoE (Power over Ethernet). These sell into security integrator channels at 3x–5x factory cost.

Key Specs to Evaluate

Sensor size and resolution. Resolution alone doesn’t determine image quality. Sensor size matters more. A 1/2.9" sensor at 4MP outperforms a smaller sensor at the same resolution. Ask for the specific sensor model (Sony Starvis, Omnivision, etc.) and look up the spec sheet. Sony Starvis sensors are the reference standard for low-light performance.

H.265+ vs H.264. H.265+ reduces storage requirements by 50–60% compared to H.264 at the same quality. This is a selling point to commercial buyers worried about storage costs. Most mid-tier and above factories now default to H.265+.

IR distance vs. actual performance. “IR range 80m” on a spec sheet is a best-case figure. Real-world useful IR range is typically 40–50% of the spec at practical illumination levels. Test your samples at night in a real environment.

ONVIF compliance. ONVIF is an open standard that allows cameras from different manufacturers to work with third-party NVR systems. Commercial buyers and security integrators often require it. Ask for the specific ONVIF profile (Profile S, G, T) and test with a third-party NVR to confirm actual compatibility.

PoE standard. Power over Ethernet simplifies installation by combining power and data in one cable. Verify compliance with IEEE 802.3af/at — cheap cameras sometimes use non-standard PoE that doesn’t work reliably with standard PoE switches.

Weatherproofing rating. IP66 (dust-tight, water jet resistant) is the minimum for outdoor cameras. IP67 adds temporary submersion protection. Verify with a hose test on samples before committing to a batch.

Certifications

FCC Part 15B: Required for any camera that emits radio frequency signals (WiFi cameras) or by FCC rules for digital electronics. Many IP cameras and NVR systems are FCC Part 15B certified. Verify the FCC ID at fcc.report.

UL 2044 / UL 294: For cameras sold into US commercial installations via security integrators, UL certification is often required. This is different from the basic FCC requirement.

CE marking: Required for EU/UK sales. Covers EMC and LVD directives for the power supply components.

CE vs NDAA compliance: For any commercial customer, you may be asked whether the product is NDAA-compliant (Section 889). An NDAA-compliant camera uses no Hikvision, Dahua, Huawei, ZTE, or Hytera components at any level. Ask your factory for written confirmation of component supply chain and get it in the contract.

ONVIF and Interoperability

Commercial buyers often specify ONVIF because they want to mix cameras from different manufacturers on a single NVR platform. ONVIF compliance is mandatory for the security integrator channel and strongly preferred for commercial sales.

But ONVIF claims are frequently overstated. Many cameras claim ONVIF conformance but fail real-world ONVIF interoperability tests with popular NVR platforms (Milestone, Genetec, Hanwha, etc.). Test your camera with the NVR platforms your target customers use.

MOQs

Stock camera modules with standard packaging: 50–200 units. NVR system kits (camera + recorder bundles): 20–50 sets.

Custom branded cameras (your logo, custom firmware with your app): 300–500 units minimum.

Custom housing design: 1,000+ units with tooling fees ($5,000–20,000 for mold, depending on complexity).

Camera accessories (mounts, junction boxes, conduit covers): Lower MOQs, 100–200 units is common.

The Smart Play for New Importers

Start with mid-range wired IP cameras and NVR kits targeting residential and small commercial buyers. This segment doesn’t face NDAA restrictions, has strong demand, and offers good margins (factory $30 kit can sell for $120–180 retail).

Avoid WiFi-only cameras for commercial sales — wired PoE is more reliable and what professional installers specify.

Build your spec sheet around a factory that can confirm NDAA-compliant components in writing. Even if your first customers are residential, being able to sell to commercial buyers expands your market significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import Hikvision cameras from China? Hikvision cameras can be imported and sold to non-government commercial and residential buyers. The NDAA Section 889 restriction applies to US federal agencies, federal contractors, and entities receiving certain federal grants or loans. A homeowner or private business buying cameras for their own property is not restricted.

How do I know if an unbranded Chinese camera uses Hikvision components? Ask the factory directly in writing and request a component declaration. Check the firmware interface — many unbranded cameras use Hikvision’s WebUI framework, which is visible when you access the camera on a browser. The presence of Hikvision-style firmware doesn’t automatically mean the restrictions apply, but it’s a signal worth investigating if your customers include government-adjacent buyers.

What is ONVIF and do I need it? ONVIF is an open standard that lets cameras from different manufacturers work with third-party NVR systems. Security integrators and commercial buyers typically require it. Verify actual ONVIF compliance with a test — don’t rely on the factory’s claim alone.

What resolution should I source for modern installations? 4MP (2.5K) is the new minimum for commercial work. 8MP (4K) is becoming standard for new installations. 1080p (2MP) is still fine for budget residential, but commercial buyers increasingly specify 4MP or higher.

Is there a market for Chinese camera brands that compete directly with Hikvision and Dahua? Yes. Reolink, Annke, Amcrest, and Zosi are all Chinese brands selling well in Western markets with different go-to-market approaches. The opportunity for importers is positioning products outside the Hikvision/Dahua shadow by sourcing from factories with NDAA-compliant component supply chains and building a brand around that.