OVERVIEW
No, owning and flying a DJI drone is not banned in the United States. Drones already owned keep flying, models the FCC authorised before 22 December 2025 can still be sold, and new DJI models cannot reach the US market.
On 22 December 2025 the FCC added foreign-produced drones and drone critical components to its Covered List, including the equipment listed in Section 1709 of the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which names DJI and Autel Robotics. Equipment on the Covered List cannot receive new FCC equipment authorisation, which most wireless devices need before they can be imported, marketed or sold in the US. The FCC's fact sheet says the action does not affect any previously purchased drone, and does not prohibit the import, sale or use of any existing device models the FCC previously authorised.
Two later FCC steps narrow that position. From 13 October 2026, a rule bars authorisation of new devices that contain a logic-bearing component produced by a Covered List entity such as DJI or Autel, where the device would itself be prohibited had that entity made it. And on 21 July 2026 the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology proposed (DA 26-758) to stop the continued importation and marketing of previously authorised foreign-produced drones they class as "military-grade": drones of 55 pounds or more, spray drones, drones with thermal imaging or LiDAR sensors, docking stations, drones specially designed to incorporate a defense article, and swarming drones, including light-show fleets. The proposal would not affect continued use of drones already bought.
The proposal had not been adopted when this page was published. The Federal Register shows only the August 2026 request for comment in that docket, and DroneXL reported on 6 November that an FCC national security counsel said the ban was still on the table.
AT A GLANCE
- Covered List addition
- 22 December 2025 (foreign-produced UAS and critical components)
- Component rule in force
- 13 October 2026 (DJI or Autel logic-bearing parts)
- Proposed military-grade ban
- DA 26-758, 21 July 2026; 180 days after publication if adopted
- Blue UAS and Buy American exemption
- Extended to 1 January 2028
- Court challenge
- Ninth Circuit No. 26-1029, filed 20 February 2026
WHAT IS AND IS NOT ALLOWED
The Covered List works on new authorisations, not on drones in use. The FCC's December 2025 fact sheet states that consumers can continue to use any drone they have already lawfully purchased or acquired, and that retailers may continue to sell, import or market device models approved earlier through the equipment authorisation process.
The proposed military-grade rule is the first FCC proposal that would reach DJI models already on sale. As drafted, all parties would have to stop importing and marketing covered military-grade drones and components 180 days after the order is published in the Federal Register. The proposal exempts drones on the Defense Contract Management Agency's Blue UAS Cleared List, Buy American domestic end products, drones granted a Conditional Approval, importation for federal government use, and commercial testing and product development.
| Activity | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fly a DJI drone you own | Allowed. The December 2025 action does not affect any previously purchased drone. | FCC fact sheet |
| Buy a pre-approved model | Allowed for models the FCC authorised before 22 December 2025; retailers may still import, sell and market them. | FCC fact sheet |
| New DJI models | Blocked. Covered equipment cannot receive new FCC authorisation, so cannot be imported for use or sale. | FCC fact sheet |
| Thermal, LiDAR, dock models | Proposed ban on importation and marketing, also covering spray, 55 lb+ and swarming models, 180 days after an order is published. Not adopted. | FCC DA 26-758 |
| Other brands with DJI parts | New drones from any maker containing DJI or Autel logic-bearing parts are barred from authorisation from 13 October 2026. | Federal Register |
THE LEGAL CHALLENGE
DJI is contesting the listing on two tracks. It filed a petition for reconsideration at the FCC on 21 January 2026, according to The Drone U, and on 20 February 2026 DJI and DJI Service LLC filed a petition for review in the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit asking the court to hold unlawful, vacate, enjoin and set aside the ruling, per DroneLife.
On 16 October 2026 the FCC and the United States filed a renewed motion asking the Ninth Circuit to dismiss the challenge (No. 26-1029) as premature, according to The Drone U. The Ninth Circuit had denied the government's first motion to dismiss without prejudice on 28 May 2026. No ruling on the merits had been reported when this page was published.
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KEY PLAYERS
Named in Section 1709 of the FY2025 NDAA; its new models cannot receive FCC authorisation since December 2025. Challenging the listing at the FCC and in the Ninth Circuit.
Also named in Section 1709; covered by the same listing and by the 13 October 2026 component rule.
Maintains the Covered List at the direction of national security agencies; authored the December 2025 action, the component rule and the military-grade proposal.
DRONE INTELLIGENCE ASSESSMENT
Three decisions set the next phase. The first is whether the FCC adopts DA 26-758: as drafted it would stop importation and marketing of previously authorised DJI thermal, LiDAR, spray and dock products to non-federal buyers 180 days after publication, subject to its exemptions, including Conditional Approvals. The second is the Ninth Circuit's handling of DJI's petition, where the government argues the case is premature while DJI's reconsideration request is pending at the FCC. The third is the January 2028 end date for the Blue UAS and Buy American exemptions. A Drone Intelligence assessment: for consumer pilots the practical effect is a frozen product line rather than a grounding, while for enterprise buyers the proposal is the variable to watch.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are DJI drones banned in the US?
Not for owners or for models already approved. Since 22 December 2025, new DJI models cannot receive FCC equipment authorisation, so they cannot be imported or sold. The FCC says drones already bought can still be used, and models it authorised before the listing can still be imported, sold and marketed.
Can I still fly my DJI drone?
Yes. The FCC fact sheet of 22 December 2025 states that consumers can continue to use any drone they have already lawfully purchased or acquired. The July 2026 military-grade proposal would also leave continued use unaffected. FAA flight rules apply as before.
Can stores still sell DJI drones in the US?
They can sell DJI models the FCC authorised before 22 December 2025. They cannot sell new DJI models, which cannot receive authorisation. If the FCC adopts its July 2026 proposal, importation and marketing of authorised thermal, LiDAR, spray, 55 lb+, swarming and dock models would stop 180 days after the order is published.
Will DJI thermal and enterprise drones be banned?
They could be. FCC notice DA 26-758 (21 July 2026) proposes to stop importation and marketing of previously authorised foreign-produced drones with thermal or LiDAR sensors, spray drones, drones of 55 pounds or more, swarming drones and docking stations. It had not been adopted as of 9 November 2026, and it would not stop owners using drones they already have.
Does the ban apply to Autel drones?
Yes, on the same terms. Section 1709 of the FY2025 NDAA names both DJI and Autel Robotics, and their equipment has been on the Covered List since December 2025.
What is the FCC Covered List?
A list of communications equipment and services judged to pose an unacceptable risk to US national security. The FCC can update it only at the direction of national security agencies. Equipment on it cannot receive new FCC equipment authorisation, which most wireless devices need before import, marketing or sale.
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ABOUT THIS PAGE
- Prepared by
- Drone Intelligence
- Last verified
- 9 November 2026
- Sources
- 11 sources, listed above
- Status
- Factual claims are attributed to the sources listed above. Where we give our own assessment, the text says so.
- Corrections
- Email editor@droneintelligence.ai with the page URL and the source you believe contradicts the claim.
Prepared under the Drone Intelligence methodology. Editorial decisions follow our editorial policy. Independence and disclosure standards at ethics.
CITE AS
“Are DJI Drones Banned in the US? (2026 Status)” Drone Intelligence, 9 November 2026. https://droneintelligence.ai/intelligence/dji-ban-us
Drone Intelligence, Market Intelligence. Updated Q4 2026.
info@droneintelligence.ai