(Credit: DJI)
It will now be much harder to buy a top-rated drone in the US. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented a ban on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), including drones, that are built outside the US.
Effective Dec. 23, all foreign-made drones are now automatically included in the FCC's Covered List, unless overruled by the Pentagon or the Department of Homeland Security. Following a review, the FCC found that foreign-made drones pose "unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of US persons."
China's DJI, the world’s most popular drone maker, as well as rival Autel, are hardest hit. This new ban doesn't impact products that are already on sale, meaning you can continue to buy drones from DJI and other Chinese manufacturers while supplies last. You can also continue to use all foreign-made drones, as the Covered List rules only impact sales of new products.
However, many of DJI's most recent additions, including the Neo 2, aren't available in the US due to separate rules enforced by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which said DJI violated the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. DJI disputed the claim in July.
The new FCC rules also mean that fixing your current drone may become more difficult in the future. Foreign manufacturers are now unable to import replacement parts, and you'll no longer be able to send your drone outside of the US for a repair.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr said he is "pleased" with the new rules since "foreign drones and related components...pose an unacceptable national security risk." Going forward, the FCC will "work closely with US drone makers to unleash American drone dominance," he added.
A spokesperson for DJI tells PCMag that the company is "disappointed" by these new rules. "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 spokesperson says.
"DJI products are among the safest and most secure on the market, supported by years of reviews conducted by US government agencies and independent third parties. Concerns about DJI’s data security have not been grounded in evidence and instead reflect protectionism, contrary to the principles of an open market," he spokesperson adds.
According to PCMag's drone and camera expert, Jim Fisher, "The FCC went further than was originally outlined" in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which required a security audit of foreign-made drones, prompting the Dec. 23 ban.
The FCC added "all foreign-made drones and components to the covered list, not just those from DJI and Autel," Fisher says. "While there are some drones designed for industry and public safety manufactured stateside, they're too expensive and specialized for photographers, videographers, and drone hobbyists to consider."
Fisher recommends the Potensic Atom 2 as an alternative to the DJI Mini range. Other options include the newly released Antigravity A1, although it remains an expensive option.
Fisher recently wrote, "When it comes to consumer drones, there's DJI, and then there's everyone else. DJI beats other brands in camera quality and safety features, so losing access to its products will simply be devastating for drone enthusiasts, vloggers, filmmakers, and others who use DJI gear for aerial video and photography."