DJI’s Drone Dilemma: Commerce Gave a Pass, FCC Says ‘No New Models’—Here’s What Users Need to Know

DJI dodged a regulatory bullet from the U.S. Department of Commerce—but the Federal Communications Commission is still blocking its new drones from landing in America.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has retracted its proposal to ban the import of DJI drones, a move attributed to diplomatic tensions easing ahead of the Trump-Xi summit. This decision removes immediate pressure on the company’s supply chain but does not resolve all regulatory hurdles.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) maintains a ban on new DJI drones, requiring equipment authorization before entering the U.S. This rule effectively prevents the company from launching new models or distributing spare parts in the American market.

Current DJI drone owners can continue using their devices, but the FCC’s restrictions block new product imports.

A U.S. District Court partially rejected the Department of Defense’s 2023 directive labeling DJI a “Chinese Military Company,” finding “no basis” for claims of Chinese Communist Party control. The ruling does not eliminate all regulatory scrutiny but limits the scope of the DoD’s allegations.

Congress attempted to ban DJI in 2024, but the company secured a one-year extension to prove it doesn’t pose a national security risk.

This extension allows DJI to continue operating while addressing U.S. government concerns about potential data vulnerabilities.