JLCPCB scam

[Bud]

ChatGPT analysis:

The exact reasons for JLCPCB’s account terminations are not entirely clear without more official statements, but it’s highly plausible that this action stems from a combination of international compliance regulations, cybersecurity concerns, and protecting the integrity of their business operations. The focus on “risky IP addresses” suggests that JLCPCB is trying to prevent accounts involved in activities that could endanger their reputation or bring legal consequences. Furthermore, heightened global scrutiny of Chinese companies likely plays a significant role in driving these precautionary measures.

This kind of situation typically requires careful balancing between risk management, compliance, and business sustainability. If the terminations were part of a broader compliance or security strategy, it would be consistent with what many companies in the tech and manufacturing industries are doing in the current geopolitical climate.

[Spirit532]

ChatGPT analysis:

 

[Bud]

You did not like the analysis or you did not like me trying chatgpt on the matter?

[Spirit532]

You did not like the analysis or you did not like me trying chatgpt on the matter?

Both. The analysis is a paragraph of meaningless slop that says absolutely nothing with way too many words. "Yes, it's possible that it could really be anything, because the situation may or may not be tricky." serves only to decrease the SNR, much like anything(besides basic code) that comes out of it.

[tooki]

You did not like the analysis or you did not like me trying chatgpt on the matter?

ChatGPT adds nothing of value to this (or pretty much anything) due to unreliability. If someone cares what ChatGPT hallucinates has to say about a subject, they can go ask it themselves. But don’t inject it into discussions between humans. It’s just noise.

FWIW, when I see/hear someone say “ChatGPT says…”, it instantly reduces my esteem for that person.

[Bud]

Is the following any better?

Putting it all together, here’s what I believe is likely:

JLCPCB is responding to a shift in the regulatory & geopolitical environment: the era where “just print boards for whoever pays” is increasingly risky. Entities upstream in the manufacturing supply chain are now under pressure to vet customers and use patterns. The Nexperia case is emblematic of that shift: governments are stepping in when they perceive risk.

My guess is that JLCPCB implemented or updated an internal risk‑scoring model (or compliance filter) which flags accounts with:

• Unusual access patterns (risky IPs, multiple geos, VPNs)
  Unusual ordering patterns (high volume, odd parts, frequency)
  Jurisdictional risk (accounts from or shipping to countries under sanctions, or with weak regulatory regimes)
  Identity/verification risk (anonymous users, unpaid invoices, prior chargebacks)

Based on flagged accounts, they may have chosen to terminate or disable accounts to reduce exposure rather than attempt detailed manual review for each.

While the company may publicly cite risky IP addresses and risky activities, the deeper motivation is likely avoiding export control/regulatory liability and potential government or reputational action. The Nexperia case shows that even big firms are not immune.

[Bud]

FWIW, when I see/hear someone say “ChatGPT says…”, it instantly reduces my esteem for that person.

I do not give shit to your esteem, so that you know next time.

[Spirit532]

Is the following any better?

Not in the slightest.

[Bud]

Point a flaw in that analysis.

[tooki]

FWIW, when I see/hear someone say “ChatGPT says…”, it instantly reduces my esteem for that person.

I do not give shit to your esteem, so that you know next time.

Well, nonetheless it will go down every time I see you say it, same as anyone else who says it, because it’s just a waste of my time to tell me a computer hallucination. (Unreliable sources require just as much effort to confirm or debunk as it does to just do the research myself.)

[ebastler]

Point a flaw in that analysis.

Mostly it's not about flaws, but fluff.

The Nexperia analogy is an actual flaw. That export ban is not about disciplining a company which has been sloppy in implementing its own measures -- but is retaliatory action against the Dutch who had the audacity to claim control of the company.

My general take on posting ChatGPT responses: Why would you think that those who want ChatGPT's take on whatever matter are not able to ask ChatGPT themselves? What value are you adding?

[Spirit532]

Point a flaw in that analysis.

Restating obvious speculation with no points of reference or concrete information, something that anyone can derive and understand far more possible nuance of by reading the thread, which itself contains as much speculation because JLC is staying silent.
In other words, just meaningless noise.

And yes, anything starting with a variation on "ChatGPT says" immediately discredits the person saying so in my eyes, because it shows they're either incapable of original thought or want to seem helpful - but delegate all the effort to a plagiarism machine because they can't actually add anything of value to the conversation.

[rteodor]

No idea. Maybe somebody who is not being banned can tell more on those assumption(s) ? Anybody ?

[...]
I would very much expect that the Nexperia ban would be implemented by telling the customer "sorry, we can't sell you those components". Which would still be very annoying if it means an incomplete PCBA, or parts you already own being locked in stock at JLCPCB.
[...]

I was referring to Nexperia as the poster title: my feeling, its the expansion of the naughty list that probably has a broad effect and upsets the Chinese. Nexperia's case is only the proverbial tip of the iceberg. The secrecy makes it impossible to asses the possibilities of expanding the bans to the other manufacturers. It they want to make trouble they will wait a bit until clients move to other manufacturers then ruffle them too.

I guess from here on its wait and see. Well, not wait but hurry up with my design because manufacturing might take longer now.

[Doctorandus_P]

Small comfort, but you're not the only one.

https://hackaday.com/2025/10/19/jlcpcb-locking-accounts-mentions-risky-ip-addresses-activities/

[JLC-Blacklist]

PCBWay order submitted, approved, and paid.

It took me about 3-4 hours to prep the BOM and CPL.  We only have about thirty different projects....some with a lengthy BOM, so I got some spreadsheet work ahead of me.  The funny part is I gave them all LCSC part numbers and they are going to buy them from LCSC/JLC

PCBWay cost ~$1600
JLCPCB cost exact same PCBA order ~$775

[pcglmichael]

This situation is most likely about customer screening. JLC now mostly uses an online platform for ordering, order review, and shipping. Their long-term development goal is likely to go public and enter the capital market, so they may need to screen their customers. Their business strategy is focused on a low-price model, pushing prices to the extreme. As a result, service may not be ideal, and after-sales support could also have significant issues.                 

Hi everyone.

I have been using JLCPCB for some time. I spent thousands of EUR on them prototyping my hobby devices. I know spending thousands for hobby is too much but yea.

Today JLCPCB sent me a strange email.

First of all, Im designing super simple devices(actually its always the same im doing with minor changes to make it better), simple reed switch to be more precise.

Just spoke to them on the chat and they said they cannot provide more information and that I actually have to PAY to take MY parts from the inventory.
Pickup service fee for each kind of component:
Service fee = Component unit price x Quantity x 30%

EDIT: Appart from the Service Fee I have to go in CHINA and they will ship it to the address that I will provide to them in CHINA! They say they cannot ship to me the parts i have ALREADY BOUGHT from them and they are in the inventory!!!!

I violated 0 rules, I don't know whats happening.
All I know is that I have to use an other service provider and that they SCAMMED me

Hi there,

Upon a thorough review by our Risk Control Team, we are sorry to inform you that, your account access will be permanently disabled on December 13th, 2025 due to compliance policy requirements.

Before this date, you may:
1) Complete any existing orders.
2) Pickup components from your parts inventory.
3) Withdraw your remaining account balance (JLC Balance)
4) Back up your historical Gerber Files or any other information.

Please note that after December 13th, 2025, your account will be permanently locked and cannot be reopened.

Best Regards,
The JLCPCB Risk Control Team

[daisizhou]

JLCPCB is the best PCB manufacturer, bar none.

I have made at least 3 PCBs there recently, and they are very friendly to amateur electronics enthusiasts.

Did your experience violate relevant laws or not conform to Chinese cultural customs?

[ebastler]

JLCPCB is the best PCB manufacturer, bar none.
I have made at least 3 PCBs there recently, and they are very friendly to amateur electronics enthusiasts.

Did your experience violate relevant laws or not conform to Chinese cultural customs?

That is a sweeping statement, based on what appears to be limited experience with JLCPCB and other PCB manufacturers.

Yes, they offer low prices and pretty broad capabilities. I have often been very happy with the results and the price/performance ratio. But if something goes wrong, JLCPCB is not well-equipped to deal with it in a quick and customer-friendly way. You can find many reports where they only offered measly discounts to "compensate" customers for manufacturing errors that were clearly their fault. My current personal struggle is to get hold of a PCB order which has been sitting in their German site for nearly two weeks now.

Regarding the current ban of certain customers -- if you read this thread you will find that nobody really knows the reasons behind it. But the affected customers are certainly not aware of violating any Chinese laws or cultural customs. So please don't finger-point based on your speculation.

Not understanding the reason behind the ban is a big part of the frustration here. It may well be that JLCPCB is obliged to keep quiet about the details. But it is notable that, so far, JLCPCB is the only PCB vendor where we have heard about such bans.

[hans]

Its monday now, office hours. Has anyone tried to call their EU office of JLCPCB before on this matter? In particular interested to hear what they say on B2B customers.
From their website:

JLCPCB GmbH


Bischofstr.101, 47809 Krefeld, Germany
Telephone：0049 2151 416 9886

I'm uncertain what this facility in Germany is doing, perhaps just for paperwork/tax records, but its worth a try perhaps.

[ebastler]

I'm uncertain what this facility in Germany is doing, perhaps just for paperwork/tax records, but its worth a try perhaps.

In my understanding the role of the German site is limited to invoicing/tax/paperwork, and to re-shipping the packages locally which arrive via Europacket. All my interactions in trying to get hold of my package which is currently stuck in Krefeld have been with the team in China.

[daisizhou]

JLCPCB is the best PCB manufacturer, bar none.
I have made at least 3 PCBs there recently, and they are very friendly to amateur electronics enthusiasts.

Did your experience violate relevant laws or not conform to Chinese cultural customs?

That is a sweeping statement, based on what appears to be limited experience with JLCPCB and other PCB manufacturers.

Yes, they offer low prices and pretty broad capabilities. I have often been very happy with the results and the price/performance ratio. But if something goes wrong, JLCPCB is not well-equipped to deal with it in a quick and customer-friendly way. You can find many reports where they only offered measly discounts to "compensate" customers for manufacturing errors that were clearly their fault. My current personal struggle is to get hold of a PCB order which has been sitting in their German site for nearly two weeks now.

First of all, I'm not sure whether the PCB you received is from the JLCPCB factory in China or from a JLCPCB factory outside of China.

If the PCB is produced by a factory from China,You want both a discounted price and excellent service, which I think is very difficult to achieve, just like when you shop on Alibaba.

I forgot to mention one thing: I didn't spend a penny on any of the PCBs above, not even for shipping.I just received the PCB I designed。The area is 10cm x 10cm 5-piece package  which is more than enough for amateurs, avoiding the tedious work of making your own corrosion PCB.

Excuse me, what else is there to complain about?

[ftg]

...
Excuse me, what else is there to complain about?

Getting randomly banned with no explanation?
Which is the main topic of discussion in this thread.

Zero cost boards don't help when you cannot order them.

[mikeselectricstuff]

Excuse me, what else is there to complain about?

People have built businesses around being able to supply products based on the costs of getting them assembled by JLCPCB. They have made comittments on delivery time to their customers, and may have purchased parts into their JLCPCB inventory.
To have a key supplier like this unexpectedly disappear can be at best very inconvenient and at worst completely fatal to the business.
 

[daisizhou]

Excuse me, what else is there to complain about?

People have built businesses around being able to supply products based on the costs of getting them assembled by JLCPCB. They have made comittments on delivery time to their customers, and may have purchased parts into their JLCPCB inventory.
To have a key supplier like this unexpectedly disappear can be at best very inconvenient and at worst completely fatal to the business.

I only choose to have PCBs made at JLCPCB, and I never buy components or other services from them.

And I don't like to overcomplicate simple things.

[mtwieg]

I only choose to have PCBs made at JLCPCB, and I never buy components or other services from them.

And I don't like to overcomplicate simple things.

... did you simply not read any of the posts in this  thread?