The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Tuesday a preliminary decision to ban the import of certain foreign-made military-grade drones.
In December, the FCC blocked all new foreign drone models from entering the U.S. market, but provided exemptions for some drones and components not manufactured in China. On Tuesday, the FCC stated it would extend these exemptions until January 2028.
The new restrictions will not affect drones purchased or imported by the federal government. Non-military drones and key components will also remain outside the scope of the ban.
The FCC stated that the imposed bans are aimed at boosting domestic drone manufacturing.
These measures are part of broader efforts by the administration of President Donald Trump to restrict the use of Chinese technology equipment in the United States.
Last month, the FCC banned additional equipment from several Chinese manufacturers — a prohibition that took effect on July 16.
DJI, a China-based company and the world’s largest drone manufacturer, filed a lawsuit in February challenging the FCC’s ban on drone imports. The company accounts for over half of all commercial drone sales in the U.S.
The FCC’s December decision prevents DJI, Autel, and other Chinese drone manufacturers from obtaining approval to sell new drone models or key components in the U.S. However, these companies can continue selling products that received approval before the ban was imposed.
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