By Kelcee Griffis
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission said it would ban most foreign-made drones and critical components for unmanned aircraft systems going forward, a day ahead of a deadline for adding Chinese drone-maker SZ DJI Technology Co. to the agency’s so-called covered entity list.
According to a public notice, the agency will generally prevent non-domestic drones and drone parts from gaining equipment authorization for sale in the U.S. — a certification most electronics must receive through a routine process before they are sold to consumers. The rules will only apply to future drone imports and sales, not those that have already been sold or are in use.
President Donald Trump “has been clear that his Administration will act to secure our airspace and unleash American drone dominance,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr wrote in a social media post. “We do so through an action today that does not disrupt the ongoing use or purchase of previously authorized drones and with appropriate avenues for excluding drones that do not pose a risk.”
Several Chinese and Russian companies including Huawei Technologies Co., ZTE Corp. and AO Kaspersky Lab are already on the FCC’s covered entity list, making them ineligible for equipment authorizations.
Banning at least one Chinese drone maker, DJI, has been a years-long priority for Carr, who pushed for the move in 2021. Congress passed a law last year that said DJI would be added to the FCC’s covered entity list by Dec. 23, 2025, barring intervention from national security officials.
DJI said in a statement that it is “disappointed” in the FCC’s decision to block new drone sales.
“While DJI was not singled out, no information has been released regarding what information was used by the executive branch in reaching its determination,” a DJI spokesperson said. “Concerns about DJI’s data security have not been grounded in evidence and instead reflect protectionism, contrary to the principles of an open market.”
Seattle-based Brinc Drones Inc. hailed the FCC’s decision, saying it creates an opening for domestic producers. The company and its peers “are ready to meet the call for service to rebuild the American drone industry,” Brinc said in an emailed statement.
The FCC didn’t respond to requests for further comment.
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