The FCC Covered List and DJI: What It Means for Drone Pilots

By DroneLive Editorial · Published Oct 30, 2026 · 3 min read

A plain-English explainer on the FCC's December 2025 Covered List action: what it blocks, what it doesn't, and what DJI owners should do next.

If you fly a drone in the United States, you have probably heard some version of "DJI is banned." That is not quite what happened, and the details matter if you own a drone, plan to buy one, or make money flying one. This explainer sticks to what the FCC itself has published and flags where reporting is still unsettled.

What the FCC actually did

On December 22, 2025, following a national-security determination by an interagency body convened by the White House, the FCC updated its Covered List to include uncrewed aircraft systems and critical components that are produced in a foreign country. The Covered List is a roster of equipment that is barred from getting new FCC equipment authorization. Most radio-emitting electronics need that authorization before they can be imported, marketed or sold in the US.

The key phrase in the FCC's own FAQ: the action is about new models. In the FCC's words, additions to the list do not prohibit the import, sale or use of existing device models it previously authorized. The FAQ also states that the Covered List does not restrict the continued use of devices consumers already bought.

What is blocked

FCC authorization for new foreign-produced drone models and for components designed primarily for drones, such as flight controllers, data links, cameras and batteries and battery-management systems.
As a result, importing, marketing or selling those new models in the US.
The FCC also says covered drones that have never received an FCC authorization generally cannot be lawfully operated in the US, so buying a not-yet-authorized model overseas and bringing it home is not a loophole.

What is not blocked

Owning and flying a drone that was already authorized. The FCC says there is no restriction on operating those.
Repairs, and replacing a part with an identical part, for already-authorized devices.
Basic firmware and software updates, which the FCC says it permits through a waiver.
Selling existing authorized models, though retailer stock may thin out over time.

The exemptions and the clock

The FCC lists several carve-outs. "Toy drones," as defined in a specific Department of War determination, are exempt. Until January 1, 2028, so are drones on the Defense Contract Management Agency's Blue UAS Cleared List and drones that qualify as domestic end products under the Buy American standard. Makers can also ask the Department of War or DHS for individual "Conditional Approvals," and the FCC says it received its first on March 17, 2026. Note that the FCC's FAQ text lists both a January 1, 2028 date and, in a separate answer about Blue UAS, a January 1, 2027 date, so anyone relying on that exemption should read the current FAQ and the Covered List page directly.

Why some new DJI drones still showed up

The cutoff is about authorization, not launch date. Drones that received FCC authorization before December 22, 2025 can still be sold. That is why the Avata 360, approved on November 19, 2025, was able to go on sale in the US in April 2026, while the Lito series launched elsewhere without a US release. We cover the lineup in the new drones of 2026.

What this means if you already own a DJI drone

Keep flying it, and keep it legal. Nothing in the FCC action changes the FAA rules that apply to you. The practical risks are slower: parts, batteries, repairs and long-term app support may get harder to find as the supply chain narrows. Sensible steps:

Buy spare batteries and propellers for aircraft you plan to keep.
Back up your flight logs and footage locally.
Write down serial numbers, firmware versions and your Remote ID and registration details.
Be cautious about installing every new app update on a working setup without reading the release notes.

If you are buying a drone now

There are three channels: new old-stock from authorized retailers, used drones, and gray-market imports. Used drones need extra care because many manufacturers tie an aircraft to an account, and a drone that is still bound to the seller can be impossible to activate for you. Get the unbinding confirmed in writing before you pay. For a full checklist, see our first-drone buying guide.

What nobody knows yet

Several outcomes are unsettled: whether regulators will scrutinize rebranded or re-labeled products, whether rules will tighten for already-authorized models, and whether Congress or the agencies will change the policy. Treat any confident prediction with suspicion. DroneLive will keep this page updated when the FCC revises its guidance.

This article is general information, not legal advice. If you operate commercially, check with your insurer and a qualified adviser.

Sources & further reading

DroneLive articles are informational and not legal advice. Rules and product availability change — confirm details with the FAA and the manufacturer before you fly or buy.