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’ll be able to’t purchase a DJI drone proper now, however that is not true. Head over to Amazon and nearly the whole DJI drone lineup remains to be on the market. So what provides? 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 akin 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. Truly we did say that once about Skydio, and we even favored 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Whereas it is excellent news that the outdated stuff remains to be on the market, it is unlikely that any new drones will arrive.
So as to promote in america, something that makes use of radio frequency elements needs to be permitted by the FCC. Drones use radio frequencies when flying, so that they fall underneath FCC jurisdiction. As a result of not one of the drone firms have had the safety assessment they want by an permitted US company, they’ve all been positioned on what’s known as the Lined Checklist. Firms on the Lined Checklist should not have approval to import merchandise into the US, successfully banning them.
There’s some proof that wheels are turning someplace, in a means that might spell excellent news for shopper drone flyers. Final week, the FCC amended its Covered List to exempt drones and elements already permitted by the Protection Contract Administration Company’s Blue UAS listing. 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 listing don’t presently current unacceptable dangers to the nationwide safety of america or to the protection and safety of US individuals.”
For probably the most half, this does not actually impression shopper drones, except you have been available in the market 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.
