Drone enthusiasts in the United States will no longer be able to buy new drone models from foreign manufacturers like DJI. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has made it impossible to sell the latest drone releases from companies based in China and other foreign countries.
The FCC has officially included the import and sale of all new drone models and essential drone equipment by foreign companies on the so-called “Covered List.” According to the US government, these companies are considered “unacceptable risk to national security.”
Customers are still allowed to purchase current DJI models, including the new DJI Neo 2, but future drone models not made by U.S. companies will no longer be released to the market. This is a major blow to DJI, which holds approximately 70% of the global drone market and is the main supplier of consumer and industrial drones in the United States.
The reason for the ban is contained in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) 2025, which ordered DJI and Autel Robotics to undergo a formal security audit within one year. Because the audit was not conducted, the FCC was automatically ordered to place all DJI drone services and equipment on the Covered List. According to critics, the process was deliberately delayed to fully implement the ban.
For those who already own DJI drones in the U.S., there's nothing to worry about. The new policy does not prohibit the use of existing drones, and DJI support services will continue for existing customers.
