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Framework’s current policy in Asia—limiting deliveries solely to Taiwan—warrants reconsideration. Due to these restrictions, I had no choice but to purchase Apple products instead. To prevent further customer dissatisfaction, Framework should re-evaluate its shipping policies.

I understand that Framework’s logistics cannot match those of major retailers like Amazon or AliExpress. However, many customers rely on freight forwarders to access products from other countries. It is deeply disappointing that Framework does not allow shipments to these intermediaries, as they are a common and well-established workaround for limited international shipping. Given the widespread use of such services, excluding them seems unjustified.




This is to comply with the ever changing export restrictions enacted by the current US administration. So don’t expect it to change soon.


That sounds misleading. The parent comment says all deliveries in Asia are limited to Taiwan. As far as I'm aware, export restrictions are only placed on certain chips going to China.

How do export restrictions prevent Framework from shipping to i.e Japan?


In the case of Japan, it's likely an issue with Japanese regulations.

We have a very strict radio law that applies to anything that can produce radio or em waves

That includes motherboards, since they can technically emit on those frequencies.

From what I have seen, the framework laptop motherboards appear to abide by that law. However, I assume it's just expensive to figure out in the first place.


LTT video specifically states that they were also able to get the Desktop model to be compliant with the (US, I suppose) EMI laws. He also shows the shielded side of the case (only one side is shielded and that was supposedly enough to pass).


Nothing about the current regime projects stability. Taiwan is a strategic partner and the source of many parts, so it’s essentially the only “safe bet” in Asia.

When you’re a company who needs time to adapt to any change in policy (aka all of them) and a company that can’t afford fines for noncompliance (small companies like Framework) your strategy is to be as conservative as possible.


Well, they also manufacture in Taiwan. Their office was around the corner from my restaurant here, and their staff would come in frequently. When I pre-ordered a framework 13 AMD I still lived in the USA and was waitlisted. Ages later I needed my shipping address in Taiwan and they had to completely change a bunch of stuff to make it work. Initially they wanted to put me back on a waitlist but I basically begged and they made it happen. So I guess they maintain two different warehousing and logistics operations between the two countries.


Singapore has one of the most business friendly regulations, a truly tech-savvy well-off consumer base and Framework don't ship there. Its puzzling.




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