If you have a DJI drone on your holiday shopping list, you might want to buy one as soon as possible. The company has issued a stark warning that its drones could be banned from sale in the US, and that deadline is approaching.
The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-0. in late October to “close loopholes” that allow technology considered a “national security risk” to be sold in the US. Simply put, the US government is clearing the way to give DJI the same treatment as Chinese phone maker Huawei, effectively banning its products from the US market.
The US government has deemed China-based DJI a security threat. The possibility of a separate ban is also being considered. TP-Link routers.
DJI sounded the alarm by posting on Instagram about the December 23 deadline, which is just nine days away. The company warns that without testing its products could face an “automatic ban”. The US government has long labeled the Chinese drone maker a security risk, and it looks like the hammer may finally fall just before the holidays.
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However, voting is not the end of the road. Future bans will need to be product specific and require a public consultation period. But the groundwork appears to be being laid for the FCC to block sales of future and some existing DJI drones from US shores, as well as products using DJI technology.
The government has called for an audit of DJI by the end of the year, but if this does not happen, DJI drone products may be prohibited from sale by default under national security law.
DJI asks for safety review before ban
A DJI spokesperson told CNET that while the FCC vote refers to a rule change that does not currently apply specifically to DJI, the December National Defense Authorization Act deadline would place similar Chinese companies on the FCC's ban list “without any evidence of wrongdoing or right of appeal.”
Adam Welsh, DJI's head of global policy, said the company has repeatedly said it would be open to audits, but “more than 10 months have passed and there is no sign that the process has begun.”
“The U.S. government has every right to strengthen national security measures, but it must go hand in hand with due process, fairness and transparency,” Welsh said.
Welsh said DJI is calling on the government to begin the audit process or grant an extension.
Will DJI drone owners have to give up their drones?
Since the ban will apply to new sales and not drones already sold, a DJI drone you already own will still be legal to use—at least under current regulations.
However, government agencies are prohibited from purchasing or using drones from Chinese companies, including DJI.
DJI drones consistently rank high in their product category. In January they dominated CNET's list of the best drones for 2025. But some of the company's newest products, for example DJI Mavic 4 Prowere not sold in the US.
Even DJI products that are not yet banned can be difficult to find. The UAV Coach website has posted a ban guide and reports that due to inventory issues, most DJI drone models are sold out at retailers regardless of future FCC action.
