FCC Bans Top New Drone Imports Effective Today
▼ Summary
– The FCC has banned the sale of new foreign-made drones, citing unacceptable national security risks such as surveillance and data exfiltration.
– The ban applies to drones and their components added to the FCC’s Covered List, which already includes companies like Huawei and ZTE.
– Existing foreign-made drones, including previously approved models from DJI, can still be used and purchased, but no new models will be authorized.
– The decision followed a review by a White House-convened interagency body with national security expertise.
– This action builds on legislative momentum, including the Countering CCP Drones Act within the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.
Effective immediately, a significant shift in the consumer drone market is underway as the Federal Communications Commission enacts a ban on new imports of foreign-made unmanned aircraft. This decision directly impacts the availability of the latest drone models for American buyers, stemming from heightened national security concerns. The FCC has placed these devices on its official Covered List, categorizing them as communications equipment that presents an unacceptable risk to U.S. security.
The list, which already includes companies like Huawei and ZTE, now features drones and their critical components. A released fact sheet details that unmanned aircraft systems from foreign nations could potentially enable persistent surveillance, data exfiltration, and destructive operations over American soil. The FCC specifically highlighted risks to major events and mass gatherings. This action follows a review conducted by a White House-convened interagency body with national security expertise.
It is important to clarify that this is not a total prohibition on all foreign drones. Consumers can continue to use Chinese-made drones they already own, and models from companies like DJI that received FCC approval prior to this ruling remain available for purchase. The critical change is that the FCC will no longer approve any new devices from non-U.S.-based drone manufacturers for the American market.
This regulatory move has been building for years, with drones facing increasing scrutiny over privacy invasions, airspace violations, and security threats. The policy gained substantial legislative backing with the passage of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which included the Countering CCP Drones Act. That legislation gave affected companies, including industry leader DJI, a one-year window to demonstrate to a national security agency that their products did not pose a risk. With that period now concluded, the FCC’s ban has taken full effect, reshaping the landscape for drone technology imports into the United States.
(Source: Ars Technica)