Importing Drones from China: What’s Still Legal in 2026

The drone import landscape fundamentally changed on December 22, 2025. The FCC added foreign-produced unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and their critical components to its “Covered List” — designating them as equipment posing unacceptable national security risks. The practical effect is a near-complete ban on importing new models of Chinese-manufactured drones into the US.

If you’re considering sourcing drones from China for the US market, this guide tells you what’s allowed, what isn’t, and where the opportunity still exists.

What the FCC Covered List Means

The FCC Covered List previously focused on telecommunications equipment (Huawei, ZTE). Adding foreign drones is a new and expansive use of the authority. The key points:

New models are banned. Any foreign-produced drone model that did not have FCC equipment authorization before December 22, 2025, cannot receive it now. The FCC will not grant new authorizations for foreign UAS.

Grandfathered models remain legal. Drones that already had valid FCC authorization before December 22, 2025 are not retroactively banned. Those specific models can still be imported and sold.

Critical components are also covered. The ban extends to: data transmission devices, communications systems, flight controllers, ground control stations, navigation systems, sensors and cameras (designed primarily for UAS use), batteries and battery management systems, and motors specifically for UAS.

Exemptions are theoretically available. The FCC has indicated exemptions may be possible but has not released a process. Assume no exemption is available until official guidance is published.

DJI’s Specific Situation

DJI, which commands roughly 70% of the consumer drone market, was placed on a US government restricted list by the Department of Defense in 2022. The FCC’s December 2025 action added another layer of restriction.

For DJI specifically: models that were FCC-authorized before December 22, 2025 can still be imported and sold. The DJI Mavic 3 series, Mini 3 Pro, and other models authorized before the cutoff remain importable. New DJI models released after December 22, 2025, cannot receive FCC authorization.

CBP (Customs and Border Protection) is a separate agency from the FCC. CBP has broad discretion to hold shipments for review, and there are reports of even authorized DJI models being held pending verification. The legal situation is murky — the product may be technically importable but face CBP delays.

What Can Still Be Imported

Pre-December 2025 authorized foreign drones: Any model with a valid FCC ID issued before December 22, 2025. Verify the specific FCC ID at fcc.report. The authorization date is in the filing.

US-manufactured or US-designed drones: Skydio (US company) products are not affected. Companies manufacturing in the US or with US-origin designs are outside the ban.

Drone accessories that aren’t “critical components”: The ban covers components “designed and intended primarily for use in UAS.” General-purpose electronics (cameras, batteries used in non-UAS applications) are not covered. There’s legal gray area here that will be clarified over time.

FPV components for hobbyist builders: The FCC action explicitly covers commercial and commercial-grade drones. The hobbyist/DIY community is watching to see how enforcement applies to FPV frame kits, motors, and ESCs sold as general electronics.

The Practical Import Reality in Early 2026

Even for authorized pre-cutoff models, importers are experiencing:

• CBP holds and verification delays (7–30+ days in some reports)
• Requests for documentation proving pre-cutoff FCC authorization
• Some shipments seized pending CBP review of evolving enforcement guidance

Before importing any drone or drone component from China in 2026, consult with a customs attorney or experienced customs broker who is actively working this issue. The situation is evolving rapidly.

Alternatives for Importers

Pivot to authorized accessories. Drone batteries, carrying cases, replacement propellers, charging hubs, landing pads, and other non-critical-component accessories for authorized models remain importable. This is a substantial accessory market.

Pivot to related categories. Action cameras (see our action camera guide), which serve the same aerial photography market, are not covered by the drone ban. FPV-style camera assemblies as standalone products (not designed primarily for UAS) may also be outside the restriction.

Source US-made or approved-country alternatives. Skydio in the US is the primary alternative. Parrot (French company) has positioned itself as the NDAA-compliant alternative for commercial and government use.

Agricultural and industrial drones from NDAA-compliant manufacturers. The agricultural spray drone and industrial inspection drone market has players in Japan (Yamaha), South Korea, and with US-made options that were already NDAA-required for government contracts.

For Importers With Existing Inventory

If you hold inventory of Chinese drones imported before December 22, 2025 for pre-cutoff authorized models: you can continue to sell them. The ban covers new imports of new models, not existing authorized inventory.

Keep documentation of when your inventory was imported and the FCC authorization status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still import DJI drones from China? Only models with valid FCC authorization issued before December 22, 2025. New DJI models cannot receive FCC authorization. Even for authorized models, CBP holds and verification delays are reported. Get legal and customs advice before importing DJI products in 2026.

Does the FCC drone ban affect all Chinese drones or just commercial drones? The ban covers foreign-produced unmanned aircraft systems and their critical components. The primary targets are commercial and commercial-grade drones. DIY/hobbyist FPV components are in a gray zone that hasn’t been fully clarified by enforcement. Assume the restriction applies broadly until specific guidance exempts hobbyist components.

What is a “critical component” under the FCC drone ban? The FCC defined critical components as: data transmission devices, communications systems, flight controllers, ground control stations, navigation systems, sensors and cameras (designed primarily for UAS), batteries and battery management systems, and motors — but only when designed and intended primarily for use in UAS. General-purpose electronics that happen to also work in drones are not automatically covered.

Are there NDAA-compliant drone alternatives to DJI for commercial buyers? Yes. Skydio (US-made) is the primary option for commercial buyers who need NDAA compliance. Parrot (France) has strong NDAA positioning. For agricultural drones, Yamaha and XAG (China, with specific government-contract exemptions) serve that market. The commercial drone market is adjusting to the new reality.

What happened to the drone market after the December 2025 FCC action? Significant disruption. DJI product inventory imported before the cutoff is being sold through. New DJI product launches for the US market are effectively blocked. US-made alternatives (Skydio) saw demand increase dramatically. The mid-market Chinese drone category (non-DJI consumer drones) is largely frozen for new model imports.