After FCC delay: Bambu Lab P2S receives approval for the US market

Bambu Lab is now officially allowed to sell its new FDM printer, the P2S, in the US. After several weeks of delay, the company is listing the model in its US online store and accepting orders. This ends a period of intense speculation about possible political and regulatory hurdles.

The P2S is positioned as the successor to the P1S and is very similar in functionality to the X1 Carbon. It uses a CoreXY motion system, a fully enclosed print chamber, and actively controlled build volume temperature. The build volume is similar in size to the P1S, but the system is significantly faster. The target audience is ambitious users who want to combine high printing speeds with good surface quality.

While customers in Europe and other regions have been able to order the P2S since mid-October, the US market was initially left out. The community considered pending approval by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to be the most likely cause. However, Bambu Lab has not communicated any official details about the review process.

The delay came at a time when relations between the US authorities and Chinese technology providers were already tense. In recent years, security concerns have led to export restrictions and exclusions from public procurement for drone manufacturer DJI. It is noteworthy that Bambu Lab was founded by former DJI employees, which has sparked additional discussion in forums and social networks.

The delay had practical consequences, especially for sales of the older P1S. Bambu Lab lowered the price of the P1S, creating a strong incentive to buy the previous model, even though many users had actually been waiting for the new generation. With the launch in the US store, it is clear that the necessary approvals have been obtained and Bambu Lab is now selling the printer as normal. This is an important step for the company because the US market is one of the largest for desktop 3D printing. For the industry, the case remains an example of how technical certifications, trade policy, and the market launch of a 3D printer are more closely related than it seems at first glance.