FCC Exempts Some Foreign-Made Drones From US Import Ban

FCC Exempts Some Foreign-Made Drones From US Import Ban

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Jan. 7 said it is exempting imports of some models of drones and components made overseas until the end of this year, following guidance from the Department of War. The FCC said in December that it would add all foreign-made uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and related UAS critical components to its Covered List, a list of communications equipment and services deemed to pose a security risk. The comm…

FCC Partially Reverses Foreign Drone Ban—But Not For DJI

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Wednesday partially reversed a sweeping ban on the sale of foreign drones and components. But to the chagrin of American uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operators, the ban still covers China’s DJI, which produces some of the world’s most widely used drones. The FCC in December added all UAS and components produced in foreign countries to its covered list at the direction of the White House, whic…

BREAKING: FCC Updates Covered List to Exempt Blue UAS and Qualified Domestic Products, Releases Additional Guidance

The Federal Communications Commission has updated its Covered List to exempt certain uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and UAS critical components that the Department of War (DoW) has determined do not pose unacceptable national security risks. The update follows a new National Security Determination issued to the FCC on January 7, 2026, clarifying portions of the […] The post BREAKING: FCC Updates Covered List to Exempt Blue UAS and Qualified Dom…