U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) bans foreign-made drones over national security concerns

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has banned drones and key components manufactured abroad over national security concerns, stating that foreign-made UAS pose unacceptable risks to the United States and to the safety of its people. The move, cited as aiming to protect airspace ahead of major events such as the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics, adds foreign-made drones to the FCC’s Covered List so they cannot be imported, marketed, or sold in the United States.

The FCC notes that drones can support safety and innovation, but risks arise if they are used by criminals or hostile actors. The announcement references a determination developed by an interagency body convened by the White House and states that UAS and UAS critical components produced abroad are included on the Covered List unless a specific determination is made otherwise by the Department of War or the Department of Homeland Security, as read in the News Release published by FCC.

It also mentions that the Covered List update aligns with the equipment and services listed in Section 1709 of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act, and names China-made drones such as DJI and Autel as examples affected by the ban. According to the News Release published by FCC, the decision does not affect existing drones or previously approved models, with restrictions applying only to new device models going forward. 24 December 2025.