Why Did the US Ban DJI Drones? Uncovering the Truth

You’ve heard about the potential U.S. ban on DJI drones. However, the confusing mix of political rhetoric and technical jargon leaves you insane. The uncertainty is paralyzing! Well, the truth is —

A full US ban on DJI is not in effect on existing products, but a final regulatory action has now been taken. On December 23, 2025, a new FCC rule took effect. It bans new foreign-made drones and their components from receiving the necessary authorization for import and sale in the United States.

Hence, it’ll stop all future DJI drone models from entering the US market, though existing models and inventory can still be sold. Moving forward, I’ll explain what this new FCC rule actually means for your existing gear, and how to make an informed decision

Key Insights

• The U.S. threat to ban DJI drones stems from geopolitical and supply-chain fears, not proven wrongdoing.
• The 2025 NDAA law required a U.S. agency to audit DJI by December 23, 2025. As no audit was completed, the FCC passed a new rule on that date, adding “foreign-made” unmanned aircraft systems to its list of restricted equipment.
• For current users, immediate flying is safe. The ban blocks future authorizations for new models and components, not the sale of your existing drone or already-stocked inventory.

Are DJI Drones Banned in the US Really?

No, DJI drones aren’t banned in the United States right now. As of today, DJI drones legal in US, and you can still legally own, fly, and operate existing DJI drones for recreational, commercial (Part 107), and most private uses.

However, a significant new restriction is now in place. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned future authorizations for new foreign-made drones and their critical components.

If we go back to September 26, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled on the Department of Defense decision to label DJI a Chinese Military Company. The Court also let the designation remain in place. 

Thus, under the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), DJI had to complete a national-security audit by December 23, 2025. With no audit completed by the deadline, the FCC implemented its anticipated rule. 

Relevant Read: Can We Carry Gimbal in Flight?

Why the U.S. Government Took Action Against DJI

For professionals who depend on DJI, the real question is about its risk. To understand what’s at stake, you have to look past the headlines and understand the following situations.

National Security Concerns

If you strip away the noise, the government’s case against DJI is about risk, not proof. No one has publicly shown that DJI has spied on U.S. users. The concern is that DJI is based in China, and Chinese law can require companies to share data with the government. 

From the U.S. perspective, that possibility alone is enough to raise alarms.

Since 2017, agencies like DHS and DoD have warned that DJI drones could be used to collect sensitive information or be exploited for surveillance. But here’s the part that often gets left out. No public evidence shows DJI drones secretly sending data to China. 

In fact, independent security audits, a leaked Pentagon report, and DJI’s own disclosures found no intentional data leaks. Meanwhile, DJI has tried to close the gap, like —

• You can fly in Local Data Mode. 
• U.S. flight logs no longer sync automatically. 
• Data is encrypted with AES-256. 

Still, policymakers see dependence on a foreign supply chain and theoretical access risk as unacceptable

U.S. and China tech tensions

At the heart of this is a simple fact. DJI is a Chinese company working in a very sensitive tech space. Since about 2017, U.S. officials have been uneasy about Chinese hardware that collects data, connects wirelessly, or operates near critical sites. Drones do all three, so they stand out fast.

It’s important to note that the ruling of 26th September confirmed what DJI has said for years. DJI is not controlled by the Chinese government and has no military ties. We shared a longer statement to explain why this part of the decision matters and what it means for you.

Aside from that, U.S.-China relations have gotten worse. Trade, chips, AI, telecom. It all adds up. In that climate, DJI’s market dominance began to look like a risk rather than a success. Lawmakers worry that Chinese law could compel companies to assist the state, even if there is no evidence that this has occurred.

And that is the key point. This debate is mostly about what could happen, not what has happened.

Chinese Intelligence Law

U.S. pressure on DJI mostly comes from China’s National Intelligence Law, passed in 2017. That law says Chinese companies must help state intelligence work if asked. 

I want to be clear, again, that there’s no public proof DJI has spied on you or misused data. That’s not what this is about. The concern is what could happen later. U.S. officials worry Chinese authorities could legally force access someday. 

So the issue is jurisdiction and trust, not evidence of wrongdoing today.

Supply-chain and Trade Concerns

The U.S. government is less focused on how DJI drones fly and more focused on where they are made and how they enter the country. 

Chinese-made tech is now treated as a trade and sourcing risk, not just a security one. Besides, DJI shipments have been delayed or stopped under customs rules tied to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, even though DJI denies any banned sourcing. 

Also, add tariffs, tighter import checks, and the triggered NDAA rule, and the pressure builds fast. Since DJI’s future products now face a ban on FCC authorizations, it cuts off future imports of new models by default.

What the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Says About DJI Ban US

The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act set the stage, but the immediate action comes from the FCC. The NDAA required an audit of DJI by December 23, 2025. With no audit completed, the FCC approved its new rule targeting foreign-made drones on that exact date.

• Audit Requirement: The NDAA gives U.S. national security agencies one year to run a formal security audit of DJI. The idea was to review the tech, look at real risks, and decide based on facts. DJI has asked for this audit all year and says it’s ready to cooperate.
• Automatic Consequences If No Review Happens: The deadline passed with no audit. Thus, the FCC has now added “foreign-made” Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to its list of restricted equipment. It blocks new DJI drone models from receiving the FCC authorization required for import and sale.

If you rely on DJI, the risk isn’t wrongdoing. It was regulatory inactivity that turned into a firm ban on future products.

What is the FCC Covered List and Why It Matters?

If you rely on DJI, this list matters more than most policy headlines. I look at the FCC Covered List as a control switch, not a punishment. 

Being added to it does not mean DJI was proven guilty of anything. It means the government can block the company from bringing new products into the U.S. market. DJI’s future drone products are now subject to this restriction.

What It Blocks

The new FCC rule blocks future DJI drone models and components from receiving authorization. That includes future imports and future releases. If a new UAS device needs FCC authorization, it cannot be approved or sold once the rule is in effect.

Even updated or revised models get stuck. Over time, the lineup freezes. It’s important to note that this rule specifically applies to unmanned aircraft systems and components, not other DJI products like cameras or gimbals.

What It Does Not Do

The list doesn’t shut down the DJI gear you already own. Crucially, it’s not retroactive. So, it doesn’t affect drones already in the country or existing retail inventory. It also doesn’t remotely disable anything, and in fact, no one is coming to take your drone. 

If it was legally purchased, you can keep flying it under current FAA rules. For your clarification, I’m going to add a table below to show the key DJI products that fall into this category and are therefore safe from the current import ban.

Products	FCC Grant Date	Affected?
DJI Mini 4 Pro	Released Sep 2023	No
DJI Mavic 3 Pro	Released Apr 2023	No
DJI Avata 2	Released Apr 2024	No
DJI Mini 4K	Released Apr 2024	No
DJI Neo	Released Sep 2024	No
DJI Air 3S	Released Oct 2024	No
DJI Neo 2	Released Nov 2025	No
DJI Osmo Action 6	Released Nov 2025	No
DJI Matrice 4T	Released Jan 2025	No
DJI Matrice 4E	Released Jan 2025	No
DJI Flip	Released Jan 2025	No
DJI Mavic 4 Pro	C Released May 2025	No
DJI Osmo Pocket 4	FCC Cleared Nov 26, 2025	No
DJI Avata 360	FCC Cleared Nov Nov 19, 2025	No
DJI Lito X1	FCC Cleared Nov Nov 29, 2025	No
DJI RS 5 Pro	FCC 2026 Gimbal Cleared Nov 2025	No
DJI Power 1000 Mini	FCC Portable power Cleared Nov 2025	No
DJI Mic Mini 2	FCC Wireless audio Cleared Dec 3, 2025	No
DJI Osmo FrameTap	FCC Cleared Dec 17, 2025	No
DJI Osmo Mobile 8P	FCC Cleared Dec 16, 2025	No
DJI Mavic 5	FCC Cleared 2026	No

Which U.S. Agencies Are Involved in the US Banning DJI Drones?

If you are trying to figure out who is actually responsible for the DJI situation, you are not alone. A lot of agencies get mentioned, but only a few really matter. Some have real authority. Others just influence the conversation. 

Let’s walk you through who does what —

FCC

This is the agency that actually matters the most.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) controls whether DJI products are allowed to be sold or imported into the U.S. That is the core issue.

Here is the key part. Under the new rule approved on December 23, 2025, the FCC has banned equipment authorizations for new “foreign-made” unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and components.

And under this new rule, the FCC can —

• Block new authorizations for future DJI drone models
• Refuse approval for new UAS components

Department of Defense (DoD)

This is where a lot of the suspicion around DJI started, but the DoD is not the one banning drones from store shelves.

The Department of Defense —

• Labeled DJI a Chinese Military Company, which DJI is appealing
• Raised concerns about dual-use tech and supply chains
• Helped push the political narrative that led to laws like the NDAA

Look, the December 2025 rule hinges on a prior national security decision. That decision is the foundation. In accordance with that, here’s what the DoD doesn’t do —

• It doesn’t control imports
• It doesn’t regulate civilian drone flights
• It doesn’t decide what consumers can buy

In 2025, U.S. courts rejected several DoD claims, including accusations that DJI is owned or controlled by the Chinese Communist Party. Still, the label remains, and it continues to influence how other agencies treat DJI.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The Department of Homeland Security has not banned DJI, but it has made life very difficult for DJI users.

For instance, DHS has —

• Issued warnings about Chinese-made drones
• Tied DJI shipments up at the border
• Used enforcement tied to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act

For you, the impact feels real —

• Drones and parts stuck in customs for months
• Empty shelves long before any formal ban
• Accessories and replacements harder to find

These actions are not a legal ban. But they have already shrunk supply and slowed access to DJI products.

FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gets blamed a lot. Most of that blame is misplaced.

Here are the things that the FAA doesn’t control —

• It doesn’t ban drone brands
• It doesn’t block imports or sales
• It doesn’t add companies to the FCC Covered List

But FAA does control —

• Airspace rules
• Part 107 licensing
• Operational rules like Remote ID

Right now, the FAA has not said that existing DJI drones will be grounded or made illegal to fly.

US Ban DJI Timeline from 2017 to Today

If you rely on DJI gear, this timeline explains how things got here and why the December 23, 2025 deadline isn’t noise. It’s the point where uncertainty turns into real consequences.

2017: Initial DHS & DoD concerns

This is where it starts. DHS and DoD raise DJI data security concerns. Though no public proof is shared, the phrase “national security risk” sticks. So, from that point on, DJI is on the radar.

2020 – 2023: Federal and state agency bans

Federal agencies begin grounding DJI drones for official work. Meanwhile, states follow with rules that block DJI purchases for police, fire, and other public agencies. These bans focus on government use, not private pilots, but the tone hardens.

2024: NDAA audit clause added

Congress passes the 2025 NDAA and adds a key clause. DJI must pass a national security audit or face penalties. The problem is simple, and that is the law never assigns an agency to actually run the audit.

2025: No audit initiated, FCC authority expanded

You get closer to the deadline, and nothing happens. No audit. In October 2025, the FCC votes on a new rule targeting “foreign-made” UAS. At the same time, the FCC gives itself more power. If implemented, the rule could block new authorizations.

December 23, 2025: Automatic trigger date

The FCC’s new rule on “foreign-made” UAS takes effect. With no audit completed, this rule becomes the primary mechanism blocking future DJI drone models from the U.S. market. Again, remember existing products and inventory are not affected.

Should You Stop Buying DJI Drones or Switch Brands?

No, you shouldn’t stop buying current DJI drone models yet if you find them in stock, but you should understand the new condition. Nothing on the table will shut down the gear you already use. The new FCC rule blocks future models, not existing ones.

Plus, the FAA has also not said it will block Part 107 or recreational flights using existing DJI models. But here’s the honest part. The risk isn’t about flying today. It’s about support later. 

If the NDAA trigger hits, new DJI imports, sales, and approvals could stop fast. The FCC rule is now in effect; the pipeline for new DJI drone models is closed. Plus, firmware updates may dry up, repairs and parts could get harder to find, and app access could become shaky over time.

So, switching brands right now doesn’t fix much. Most alternatives cost more and deliver less.

Why the State and Local DJI Bans are Different from a Federal Ban

Many pilots hear “DJI ban” and assume everything changes overnight. In reality, state and local restrictions work very differently from a federal ban. Here’s how —

Area	State and Local DJI Bans	Federal NDAA / FCC Ban
Who is affected	Government users only (police, fire, DOT, public agencies)	Everyone (indirectly via market restriction)
Private pilots and businesses	Not targeted	Future purchases and fleet growth restricted nationwide
How bans are enforced	Procurement rules and agency compliance policies	Border enforcement based on FCC authorization
What is restricted	Buying and operating DJI drones with public funds	Import, sale, certification, and approval of new DJI products
Existing DJI drones	Usually grounded only for government agencies	Can keep flying
Product availability	Retail sales continue normally	New imports and restocks blocked after the cutoff
Scope of impact	LocalizedUnevenLimited in reach	NationalAutomatic for future products
Primary intent	Reduce perceived risk in government operations	Remove DJI from the U.S. communications infrastructure

Wrapping Up

So, why did the US ban DJI drones? Well, the ban hasn’t actually happened yet. But it’s on the verge, and it’s not because anyone caught DJI spying. It’s about the fear that it could, tied to the bigger tech conflict with China.

And it comes down to one rule in a defense bill. If a US security agency doesn’t finish an audit of DJI by December 23, 2025, then new DJI products get blocked automatically. 

Your current drone will still fly, but getting parts, updates, or new models will get much harder. Right now, DJI’s future here depends on a last-minute political deal or an audit that, so far, no one has even started.

Read Also:

• How to Calibrate Gimbal DJI Mini 3 Pro
• How to Calibrate DJI Mini 3

FAQs

Will my DJI drone stop working after the ban?

No. Existing DJI drones will not be remotely disabled. The FCC’s rule is not retroactive. You can continue flying your currently owned equipment. However, the ban halts new models, and long-term access to firmware updates, repairs, and parts may become limited or unavailable.

Can you still buy DJI in the US? 

Currently, yes, but with major difficulties. Retailers can sell existing inventory of previously authorized models. New imports of future models are blocked, causing the eventual depletion of stock. Most new DJI models announced after December 23, 2025, will not be officially released in the U.S.

Can I bring my DJI drone into the US? 

Yes, you can for personal use. Remember, the ban targets commercial importation and authorization of new models, not individual travelers. However, bringing in new, boxed units could be subject to customs scrutiny under the same rules that block commercial imports.

Can I still fly my DJI drone legally in the US?

Yes, you can still fly my DJI drone legally in the US. The FAA has not restricted flying legally purchased DJI drones for recreational or Part 107 work. The ban concerns future sales and imports, not grounding existing aircraft. 

Is DJI sending data to China?

No public evidence exists to prove that DJI is sending data to China, though U.S. agencies allege a risk. Plus, DJI cites independent audits, local data modes, and halted U.S. flight-log syncing. The debate centers on perceived supply-chain risk, not proven data exfiltration.

Should I stop investing in DJI equipment?

For new purchases of existing models, assess current inventory and long-term needs. For future models, they are blocked. For existing gear, plan for potentially reduced support. You must consider that the ban threatens future updates, parts, and warranties for new products.