Today, the FCC announced the result of what many people have been calling a potential DJI ban. The details have now been released, and the restrictions are far less than many people had predicted. While DJI is getting added to the FCC’s covered list, DJI drones have not been banned. Crucially, existing models can continue to be imported and sold indefinitely.
Key Highlights of the FCC Announcement
This is NOT a “ban” of DJI drones
Currently owned DJI drones CAN continue to legally be operated
Existing DJI models CAN continue to be imported and sold
The restriction only applies to the import of any new, not previously approved models from DJI and Autel
What This Means for Surveyors
Overall, this is good news for the US mapping and surveying industry. ALL existing DJI models can continue to be operated indefinitely. Further, all currently approved drones and sensors, which include the highly popular Matrice 4, Matrice 400, L2, L3, and P1, can continue to be imported and sold without restriction. While newer models may eventually be released globally that the US does not have access to, surveyors throughout the country will continue to have unfettered access to today’s models. This also gives domestic hardware manufacturers and international partners additional time to develop new technologies that are competitive with DJI equipment. As we have discussed before, DJI currently makes the best equipment available for drone surveying.
The Details
Last year, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2025, and it included a provision that required the government to perform an evaluation as to whether DJI or Autel pose a national security risk by December 23, 2025. Today, one day before the deadline, the FCC has announced that these companies do pose “unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States” and therefore should be added to the FCC’s covered list. However, there are a wide range of exceptions to how this is applied.
Many had previously feared that by getting added to the FCC’s covered list, DJI and Autel drones would either be banned entirely, or all imports of new drones would be banned. Thankfully, that is not the case. Below is the direct language from the FCC fact sheet (emphasis added):
“As specified below, today’s decision does not impact a consumer’s ability to continue using drones they previously purchased or acquired. Nor does today’s decision prevent retailers from continuing to sell, import, or market device models approved earlier this year or previously through the FCC’s equipment authorization process. By operation of the FCC’s Covered List rules, the restrictions imposed by today’s decision apply to new device models.”
Many news outlets are calling this a “foreign drone ban”. That is an exaggerated and generally incorrect view of this announcement. This is a politically measured restriction on DJI designed to encourage additional investment in US manufacturing, without unduly punishing American consumers and businesses. While the long-term future of DJI in the United States remains uncertain, DJI drones will remain a critical part of drone surveying for the foreseeable future.
The full text of the FCC’s announcement can be found at the following link:
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-416839A1.pdf
Want to talk about your upcoming drone hardware strategy and how Aerotas can help you get the most out of your drones, whether they are DJI or anything else? Reach out!