The Federal Communications Commission has banned new drones those made abroad may not be imported into the U.S. unless the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security recommends it. Drones were added to Monday’s action on the FCC’s Covered Listclassifying foreign-made drones and drone parts, such as those made by DJI, as communications equipment that poses “unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of American persons.”
DJI is “disappointed” by today’s action, Adam Welsh, DJI’s head of global policy, said in a statement. “Although DJI was not singled out, no information has been released about what information the executive branch used to reach its decision.” Welsh added that DJI “remains committed to the U.S. market” and noted that existing products can continue to function as usual. Other items on the FCC’s list include Kaspersky antivirus software (added in 2024) and telecommunications equipment from Huawei and ZTE (added in 2021).
The FCC says it received a National Security Determination on December 21 from an interagency body saying that “uncrewed aircraft systems” (UAS) and critical UAS components produced abroad could “enable sustained surveillance, data exfiltration, and destructive operations over U.S. territory” and that “U.S. cybersecurity and critical infrastructure guidelines have repeatedly emphasized how foreign-manufactured UAS can be used to collect sensitive data, used to enable unauthorized remote access or can be disabled at will via software updates.’
If you already own a drone made outside the US, you can still use it. according to the FCC fact sheet. Drones or drone parts can be removed from the Covered List if the DoD or DHS “makes a specific determination to the FCC” that it does not pose unacceptable risks.
“Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as drones, offer the potential to enhance public safety and strengthen U.S. leadership in global innovation,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says.
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