Why So Many Rapid COVID Tests Are Made in China?
Why So Many Rapid COVID Tests Are Made in China—and What Tests Still Come from China in 2025
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its fifth year, rapid diagnostic testing remains a crucial public health tool. Yet many consumers may not realize that a significant portion of the world’s rapid COVID-19 tests are manufactured in China. In fact, China continues to be the leading exporter of these tests to the United States and other global markets.
This article explores why Chinese manufacturers dominate the COVID-19 test market, which tests are currently produced there, and what it means for consumers and health systems worldwide.
Rapid tests remain a vital tool in the medicine cabinet for ongoing infection cycles of COVID-19. Be sure to stay stocked up with market-leading ASSURE-100 rapid tests this season.
Why China Dominates the Rapid Test Market
There are several key reasons why Chinese companies have emerged as dominant players in the rapid testing industry:
🏭 Massive Production Infrastructure – China has long held the title of “the world’s factory,” with high-capacity manufacturing hubs capable of producing tens of millions of diagnostic kits per week. Cities like Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and Suzhou became global centers for medical device production during the pandemic.
💰 Lower Production Costs – Chinese labor and operational costs remain significantly lower than in the U.S. and Europe, allowing for more competitive pricing on diagnostic tools.
🚀 Early Pandemic Mobilization – Chinese companies, many supported by government subsidies, were among the first to scale up test production in early 2020, giving them a lasting advantage in terms of supply contracts and international relationships.
📋 Regulatory Flexibility – China’s internal regulatory systems and alignment with the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) program enabled rapid development and certification of diagnostic tests.
Chinese Brands Exporting Rapid COVID Tests in 2025
While hundreds of test brands have entered and exited the market over the past five years, several Chinese companies remain active and prominent exporters in 2025. These include:
- INDICAID (Hong Kong)
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- Manufactured by Phase Scientific International Ltd. in Hong Kong
- Sold under the IndicAid Covid-19 Rapid Antigen At-Home Test brand
- GenSure Biotech (Shenzhen)
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- Known for low-cost antigen rapid tests.
- Widely distributed in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
- Lepu Medical Technology (Beijing)
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- Offers tests approved under the EU Common List and WHO EUL.
- Previously exported to the U.S. under FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
- Wondfo Biotech (Guangzhou)
- Maker of lateral flow tests with wide distribution in Europe and Canada.
- Hotgen Biotech
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- Manufacturer of the “Hotgen SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test.”
- Frequently found in pharmacies across Europe and Southeast Asia.
- AllTest Biotech
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- Supplies both rapid antigen and antibody tests internationally.
- Has maintained contracts with U.N. agencies and NGOs.
U.S. Imports of Chinese Rapid Tests
According to U.S. Customs and import data, more than 60% of rapid antigen test kits imported into the U.S. in 2023 and 2024 originated in China. That number has remained steady into 2025, especially as demand has plateaued but not disappeared.
However, not all Chinese-made tests are authorized for sale in the United States. The FDA maintains an active list of approved and revoked EUA tests, which includes many Chinese manufacturers, some of which were removed due to issues with performance or labeling inconsistencies.
Are Chinese Tests Reliable?
Many Chinese rapid test brands have received WHO, CE (EU), and even FDA emergency use approval. However, quality can vary significantly across brands, and not all imported tests meet U.S. or European performance standards.
Consumers are advised to:
- Purchase only tests listed on the FDA’s approved test list.
- Be cautious of off-brand imports sold through unofficial online retailers.
- Verify expiration dates and ensure test instructions are in English or the local language.
Alternatives to Chinese-Manufactured Tests
Although China remains the global leader, some companies in the U.S., Europe, and Australia have produced high-quality alternatives:
- Oceanit’s ASSURE-100 (Hawaii, USA): A U.S.-developed and FDA-authorized test created locally during the pandemic. It remains a trusted option for American consumers.
- Flowflex (ACON Biotech): While headquartered in San Diego, much of its manufacturing occurs in China. However, its test remains FDA-authorized and widely used in U.S. homes.
- Abbott’s BinaxNOW: One of the most popular U.S.-based options, with domestic production facilities.
For reliable testing, consumers should stock their home medicine cabinet with the market sensitivity-leading ASSURE-100 Rapid COVID-19 Home Test.
Conclusion: A Global Supply Chain for a Global Disease
The dominance of Chinese manufacturers in the rapid COVID-19 test market reflects broader realities of globalized medical supply chains. While U.S.-based production has increased since 2020, the world continues to rely on China for affordable, mass-produced diagnostic tools.
As testing remains vital for managing COVID-19 in 2025, consumers and policymakers alike should remain informed about where tests come from, how they’re regulated, and how to choose reliable brands.
And for individual households, one of the simplest health safeguards remains unchanged: keep rapid tests like ASSURE-100 on hand—and test early and often.
Rapid tests remain a vital tool in the medicine cabinet for ongoing infection cycles of COVID-19. Be sure to stay stocked up with market-leading ASSURE-100 rapid tests this season.
Keywords: rapid covid tests China, COVID-19 test manufacturers, SARS-CoV-2, Chinese diagnostic tests, rapid testing brands, global COVID test supply chain, 2025 testing data