As of December 23, 2025, the US Federal Communications Fee barred Chinese language-based drone maker DJI from importing any new drones into the United State. That may sound like you possibly can’t purchase a DJI drone proper now, however that is not true. Head over to Amazon and nearly the whole DJI drone lineup continues to be on the market. So what offers? Are they banned or not?
The important thing phrase within the earlier paragraph was any new drone. Nothing DJI has made previously is banned. Nobody is taking your drone away. It is nonetheless completely authorized to fly a drone. And this is not simply a DJI ban. It is a ban on foreign-made drones, which incorporates these from firms corresponding to DJI, Autel Robotics, HoverAir, and thers. That DJI is singled out in headlines has extra to do with its market dominance than the best way the foundations are written.
I would prefer to say that with the largest competitor basically faraway from the market that US-based firms are swooping in with new drones. Really we did say that once about Skydio, and we even appreciated the Skydio drone we tested, however since then Skydio has shifted away from the patron market.
No New Drones
Courtesy of DJI
Whereas it is excellent news that the outdated stuff continues to be on the market, it is unlikely that any new drones will arrive.
With a purpose to promote in the USA, something that makes use of radio frequency elements must be accepted by the FCC. Drones use radio frequencies when flying, in order that they fall underneath FCC jurisdiction. As a result of not one of the drone firms have had the safety evaluation they want by an accepted US company, they’ve all been positioned on what’s referred to as the Coated Checklist. Corporations on the Coated Checklist wouldn’t have approval to import merchandise into the US, successfully banning them.
There’s some proof that wheels are turning someplace, in a approach that might spell excellent news for shopper drone flyers. Final week, the FCC amended its Covered List to exempt drones and elements already accepted by the Protection Contract Administration Company’s Blue UAS record. The FCC says in its public assertion, “The DoW has decided that UAS and UAS important elements included on Protection Contract Administration Company’s (DCMA’s) Blue UAS record don’t at the moment current unacceptable dangers to the nationwide safety of the USA or to the security and safety of US individuals.”
For essentially the most half, this does not actually affect shopper drones, until you have been out there for a $13.6k Parrot Anafi USA Gov edition thermal drone, nevertheless it’s higher than silence, which has been the first factor we have heard main as much as the December ban.
