Is DJI banned in the US? Not for people who already own a DJI drone. Since 22 December 2025, new DJI models cannot get FCC approval, so they cannot be legally sold or imported in the US. Drones the FCC approved earlier can still be sold, and every drone you already own can still be flown under FAA rules. Last checked: October 2026.
Is DJI Banned in the US?
Not fully. The ban is on new products, not on drones people already have. Here is how it breaks down:
- Still legal: owning and flying a DJI drone you already have, if you follow FAA rules.
- Still legal: selling and importing DJI models that the FCC approved before 22 December 2025.
- Blocked: any new DJI model that has not yet received FCC approval. DJI has told a federal court that about 25 products planned for 2026 are stuck.
Why did this happen? A 2024 law, the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act, said DJI would be added to the FCC’s Covered List if no US security agency finished a review of its products by 23 December 2025. No agency did. On 22 December 2025 the FCC went further. After a national security finding by the executive branch, it added all foreign-made drones and their key parts to the list, not only DJI.
DJI disagrees with the decision. It argues the government never showed a specific security threat and that it was denied due process. Its court case is still open (see below).
What the FCC Covered List Means for DJI
The Covered List is an FCC list of equipment that the US government treats as a national security risk. Equipment on it cannot get a new FCC equipment authorization. Without that authorization, a radio device cannot be legally marketed or imported in the US.
Three facts matter most for drone owners:
- It is not only DJI. The December 2025 listing covers all foreign-made drones and critical drone parts. Autel was already covered under the same 2024 law.
- It stops new models, not old ones. Models approved before 22 December 2025 keep their approval. Reports in January 2026 said the FCC quietly revoked a few DJI and Autel approvals that were issued just before the listing, so it is worth checking the FCC ID of any model you plan to buy.
- It does not change the flying rules. The FAA, not the FCC, sets the rules for flying.
The FCC has also said already-approved drones can keep getting firmware and software updates until at least 1 January 2029. We explain that in our guide to DJI firmware updates after the Covered List.
Which DJI Drones Are Still Legal?
Any DJI drone that the FCC approved before 22 December 2025 is still legal to own and fly. That includes popular models such as the Mini 4 Pro, Mini 5 Pro, Air 3S, Mavic 3 Pro and Mavic 4 Pro. You can look up any model in the FCC’s equipment authorization database. DJI’s FCC IDs start with SS3.
New models are different. DJI’s 2026 launches are not expected to reach authorized US retail this year. For a closer look at what is still on sale, see which DJI drones you can still buy in the US.
To fly legally, follow the usual FAA rules:
- Register any drone that weighs 250 g (0.55 lb) or more, or any drone you fly for work.
- Make sure your drone broadcasts Remote ID, either built in or with an add-on module. See the FAA Remote ID page.
- Pass the free TRUST test if you fly for fun.
- Stay below 400 ft and keep the drone in sight.
Can You Still Buy or Import DJI Gear?
Yes for older, approved models. No for new ones. As of October 2026:
- Approved models can still be sold and imported. Stock is thin, though. A DJI spokesperson said in early 2026 that DJI was not officially importing the Mavic 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro into the US, so most units come from third-party sellers.
- New models are blocked. DJI’s newest gear, such as the Osmo Pocket 4, has not launched in the US.
- Importing is risky for unapproved models. Customs can seize a drone that has no FCC approval. Even for approved models, a warranty bought abroad may not cover you in the US.
- Other foreign brands face the same block. New drones from other foreign makers cannot get approval either. Drones made in the US are not affected.
One more risk to watch: in PS Docket 26-189, the FCC has proposed to stop the import and sale of some already-approved foreign “military-grade” drones. The proposal covers drones with features such as thermal imaging, LiDAR, docking stations or swarming. It would give a 180-day wind-down after a final rule. Comments closed on 2 September 2026, and we found no final rule as of 1 October 2026. It is aimed at heavy-duty and enterprise drones, and DJI has called the definitions vague.
Should You Buy a DJI Drone Now?
If you want a DJI drone, buying sooner is safer than waiting. Stock is shrinking and no new DJI models are coming to US stores. Before you buy, weigh these points:
- Where it comes from. Most stock now comes from third-party sellers. Check the seller’s return policy and ask whether the warranty is valid in the US.
- Updates. Firmware updates are allowed until at least 1 January 2029.
- Repairs. Some owners report delays when parts are short. DJI has not announced an end to repairs, but we could not confirm its policy either way.
- Rules. The FCC could tighten the rules for already-approved drones, as it has proposed for “military-grade” models. Nothing like that applies to consumer camera drones today.
DJI’s court case is not a reason to wait. The Ninth Circuit paused the case in May 2026 until the FCC rules on DJI’s request to reconsider. DJI’s opening brief is due on 2 November 2026, and there is no ruling on the merits yet.
US-made drones are not affected by the block. Most are built for public safety and business use, and they cost more than a typical DJI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DJI Still Available in the USA?
Yes, but only older models. Drones approved by the FCC before 22 December 2025, such as the Mini 5 Pro and Mavic 4 Pro, can still be bought. Most stock now comes from third-party sellers, camera stores and online marketplaces, because DJI’s own US store has often shown drones as out of stock. New DJI models are not available.
Can I Fly a DJI Drone in the US?
Yes. Register drones that weigh 250 g or more, use Remote ID, pass the TRUST test if you fly for fun, stay below 400 ft, keep the drone in sight, and check the airspace before each flight.
Can I Still Use My DJI Drone After the Ban?
Yes. The Covered List does not ban drones people already own. Firmware updates are allowed until at least 1 January 2029. The main risk is slower repairs and fewer parts, not a loss of the right to fly.
Can FAA Know You Flew a DJI Drone?
Often, yes, through Remote ID. A drone with Remote ID broadcasts its ID, location, altitude, speed and the pilot’s location while it flies. Anyone nearby with a receiver can pick this up, including the FAA and police. As far as we know, DJI does not send your full flight logs to the FAA. Those stay in your app and DJI account.
Conclusion
DJI is not banned for people who already own a DJI drone. The block stops new models from entering the US, and the supply of older models is shrinking. If you own one, keep flying, update the firmware and follow FAA rules. If you want to buy one, check the model’s FCC approval and the seller first.
Watch three things: the FCC’s decision on DJI’s request to reconsider, the Ninth Circuit case (DJI’s brief is due 2 November 2026), and the FCC’s proposed rule for “military-grade” drones. Last checked: October 2026.
