If a DJI drone was on your list to buy going into 2026, you might want to act quickly. The Federal Communications Commission has implemented an anticipated ban on the import of foreign-made drones, including those manufactured by DJI, the world's leading seller of the flying devices.

The FCC on Monday added uncrewed aircraft systems and their components that are produced in a foreign country to its Covered List, a record of gear and services deemed to "pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the US."  

According to the FCC's public notice, that includes, but isn't limited to, data transmission devices, flight controllers, sensors and cameras, batteries, motors and other drone components. 

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In late October, the agency voted 30 to "close loopholes" that allow tech deemed a "national security risk" to be sold in the US. In plain English, the US government cleared the path to give DJI the same treatment it gave Chinese phone-maker Huawei, effectively banning its products from the American market.

In a statement, DJI said it was disappointed by the decision. "While DJI was not singled out, no information has been released regarding what information was used by the Executive Branch in reaching its determination," a spokesperson said. "Concerns about DJI's data security have not been grounded in evidence and instead reflect protectionism, contrary to the principles of an open market."

DJI said it remains committed to the US market and that its possible future products could be cleared for launch here at the discretion of the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. 

Drones already in the hands of US consumers aren't impacted: "This action does not affect any previously-purchased drone. Consumers can continue to use any drone they have already lawfully purchased or acquired," the FCC said in a fact sheet about the change.

In its announcement, the government cited upcoming high-profile events, including 2026's FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, as mass-gathering events that could be put at risk by drones.

"The federal government is taking additional actions to safeguard Americans and restore American airspace sovereignty," the FCC said.

The FCC has also been considering a separate ban on TP-Link routers, but that was not included in this December update to its Covered List.

DJI asked for a security audit before any ban

In October, DJI told CNET that the FCC appeared to be making its decision "without any evidence of wrongdoing or the right to appeal."

Adam Welsh, head of global policy at DJI, said the company has repeatedly said it would be open to audit, but that "more than 10 months have now passed with no sign that the process has begun." 

"The US government has every right to strengthen national security measures, but this must go hand in hand with due process, fairness, and transparency," Welsh said at the time.

Will DJI drone owners need to give them up?

Because the ban applies to new sales, not drones that have already been sold, a DJI drone you already own is still legal to use -- at least under current rules. 

Government agencies, however, were already prohibited from purchasing or using drones from Chinese companies, including DJI.

DJI's drones consistently rank among the highest in their product category. In January, they dominated CNET's list of best drones for 2025. But some of the company's newest products, such as the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, haven't been available for sale in the US.

Even before the policy change, some DJI products were hard to find. The website UAV Coach has posted a guide to the bans and reports that, due to inventory issues, most DJI drone models were sold out at retailers.