Is DJI banned in the United States right now?

DJI is not banned outright. It was added to the FCC Covered List on December 22, 2025, which prevents new DJI products from receiving FCC equipment authorization. Existing authorized models remain legal to buy, own, and fly.

Can I still buy a DJI drone in 2026?

You can still buy any DJI model that was already FCC-authorized before December 22, 2025. New DJI models that were not authorized before that date generally cannot be legally sold in the U.S. unless the Covered List determination is reversed.

Will my existing DJI drone become illegal to fly?

No. The FCC determination is not retroactive. Drones that were already authorized before the cutoff date remain legal to operate, provided you comply with all other FAA rules such as registration and Remote ID.

What about DJI controllers, batteries, and accessories?

The Covered List determination applies to DJI equipment generally. Controllers, batteries, and other accessories that were part of an already-authorized system are typically covered by the existing authorization. New standalone DJI radio or communications equipment may face the same authorization barrier as new drones.

Are Autel drones also affected?

Autel filed a petition alongside DJI in early 2026 and is party to the same Ninth Circuit litigation. As of mid-2026, Autel is not on the Covered List, but the legal and political pressure on Chinese-made drone brands continues.

Is the Covered List determination being challenged?

Yes. DJI and Autel filed petitions for reconsideration with the FCC in January 2026, and the matter is also being litigated at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The Department of Defense filed its opposition in April 2026. Nothing has been overturned as of mid-2026.

Should I sell my DJI fleet?

There is no legal requirement to sell or ground existing DJI aircraft. Whether to keep or replace them is a business risk decision based on your tolerance for future policy changes, insurance considerations, and client requirements.

Is DJI Banned in the US? The 2026 Situation Explained

Q: What is the FCC Covered List?

The Covered List is a list of communications equipment and services that the FCC has determined pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security or the safety and security of U.S. persons. Equipment on the list cannot receive new FCC authorizations, but existing authorizations are not automatically revoked.

Fast-moving regulatory area

This is a fast-moving area. Last verified August 2026 — check faa.gov and the Federal Register for the current position.

The question "Is DJI banned?" is being asked by pilots, businesses, and agencies every day in 2026. The short answer is no — there is no nationwide ban on flying DJI drones. But the longer answer matters, because the FCC's Covered List action changed the legal environment for new DJI equipment and created uncertainty for future purchases. This page explains exactly what happened, what is affected, and what pilots should do.

1. Quick answer

DJI is on the FCC Covered List. That means the FCC will not grant new equipment authorizations to DJI products. It does not mean existing DJI drones are illegal. If your DJI model was already FCC-authorized before December 22, 2025, you can still legally buy, sell, own, and fly it in the United States, as long as you follow FAA registration and Remote ID rules.

2. What happened in December 2025

Two things happened within 24 hours. On December 21, 2025, an interagency body of the executive branch issued a National Security Determination under Section 1709 of the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (Pub. L. 118-159). That determination identified DJI Technologies as a company whose equipment poses an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security or the safety and security of U.S. persons.

On December 22, 2025, the FCC published Public Notice DA-25-1086, formally placing DJI on the Covered List. The FCC's Covered List procedure is tied to the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019. Once a company is on the list, the FCC generally cannot review or approve new communications equipment from that company, and it cannot use Universal Service Fund money to purchase, maintain, or support that equipment.

FCC Public Notice DA-25-1086 added DJI to the Covered List effective December 22, 2025, based on the Section 1709 national security determination.

Source: fcc.gov

3. What the Covered List means for equipment authorization

Equipment authorization is the FCC process that certifies a radio-transmitting device can be sold in the United States without causing harmful interference. Drones use radio transmitters for control, video, and telemetry, so they must be authorized before commercial distribution. Being on the Covered List means DJI is not eligible for new grants, certification, or approvals.

This is a forward-looking barrier. It applies to new applications filed after the determination date. It does not remove or cancel authorizations that were already issued. That is why you still see DJI drones on store shelves and in authorized dealer inventories: those units were authorized before the cutoff.

4. Existing authorizations vs. new models

The most important distinction is between "already authorized" and "newly introduced." A drone that was on the FCC's equipment authorization database before December 22, 2025 is grandfathered. It can continue to be imported, marketed, sold, and operated.

A new DJI model that has not gone through the FCC process by that date cannot legally enter the U.S. market unless the Covered List determination is reversed or the company obtains a specific exemption. As of mid-2026, neither has happened.

For pilots, this has a practical implication: when you buy a DJI product, verify the FCC ID. The FCC ID is printed on the device and can be searched in the FCC's equipment authorization database. If the grant date is before December 22, 2025, the product is authorized.

5. Legal challenges and current status

DJI and Autel filed petitions for reconsideration with the FCC in January 2026, arguing that the determination was procedurally flawed and factually unsupported. The FCC has not acted on those petitions as of mid-2026. Separately, the companies have challenged the action in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

In April 2026, the Department of Defense filed its opposition to the petitions, supporting the Covered List determination. The litigation is ongoing, and the practical effect on the market is unchanged: no new DJI authorizations are being granted.

You can follow the reconsideration proceedings and any FCC orders through the Federal Register and the FCC's Electronic Comment Filing System under docket numbers related to the Covered List and DJI.

Source: federalregister.gov

6. What pilots should do

If you already own a DJI drone, keep flying it legally. That means registering it with the FAA if required, keeping your registration current, ensuring Remote ID compliance, and respecting airspace rules. The Covered List action does not change any of those obligations.

If you are buying a new drone, check the FCC authorization date and consider your risk tolerance. Some operators are choosing to diversify into NDAA-compliant or Blue UAS alternatives such as Skydio, BRINC, Freefly, or Teal Drones, especially for government and enterprise work where procurement rules are tightening.

If you are a commercial service provider, be transparent with clients. Some agencies and large companies now ask about the country of origin and Covered List status of the drones used on their projects. Having that information ready can help you win or keep contracts.

Drone Register is a private intermediary service. We are not affiliated with the FAA or any U.S. government agency. Read our editorial policy and sources.