US Drone Ban Explained: What You Can and Can't Buy in 2026

It's been months since the FCC took the unprecedented step of adding all foreign drones and handheld DJI camera gear to its Covered List, a registry of equipment that's not allowed to be sold in the US. We've already seen new releases like the waterproof HoverAir Aqua and the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P vlogging camera in other regions, but they haven't come to the US because of the FCC's decision. The drama is far from over, as DJI is suing to overturn the ban, and the FCC has retaliated by moving to revoke authorization for a brand that sells  DJI clones  and a handful of  LiDAR-equipped drones  previously allowed to be sold in the US. Meanwhile, the agency has added several other types of foreign tech to the Covered List, including Wi-Fi routers , portable power stations , and robot vacuums and lawn mowers .

There's been some confusing reporting around what this means for creators who use camera drones, as well as DJI's line of cameras, microphones, and gimbals, as part of their workflows. Drone pros and content creators still aren't feeling the full impact, but that will change quickly if retroactive bans broaden. Drones have moving parts that can wear out over time; they don't last forever, and creators are already missing out on the latest innovations. If you have questions about the FCC's foreign drone ban and how it affects you, read on.

Was There a Warning That a Drone Ban Was Coming?

Yes. We knew the federal government was all but certain to add DJI's cameras and drones to the FCC's Covered List; the writing has been on the wall for months. The 2024 iteration of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a law that's updated annually in order to provide funding to the US military, included language that states that DJI and Autel drones , video surveillance, and communications equipment would be added to the FCC Covered List if it did not pass a security audit before Dec. 23, 2025. But as the deadline approached, it became clear that the government had little interest in actually performing the required audit.

Will DJI Challenge the Drone Ban?

Yes. DJI filed a lawsuit against the FCC in late February, two months after it was added to the Covered List. The suit accuses the FCC of violating the Fifth Amendment's due process clause, arguing that the FCC did not provide "the chance to provide information to address or refute any concerns." We'll have to wait and see how this plays out in the courts, but for now, it doesn't change the status quo.

What Is the FCC Covered List?

The Covered List is a registry of products and companies that are ineligible for use or sale in the United States. The FCC has to approve all devices with built-in wireless tech before they can be sold in the US, so being on the Covered List is a big deal for tech companies.

Which Drones Are Banned Per the FCC Rules?

All foreign-made drones that have not yet received FCC certification are now on its Covered List. Drones that have already gone through the FCC vetting process are exempt, but future releases are excluded from the US market. For all practical purposes, this applies to every consumer drone brand: Antigravity, DJI, Holy Stone, Hover, Potensic, and Ruko are all impacted. All additions are on a going-forward basis, so models that are already available in the US aren't affected.

If you're looking for specifics, the DJI Lito 1 and Lito X1 drones, Osmo Pocket 4 and Pocket 4P vlogging cameras, HoverAir Aqua waterproof drone, and Potensic Atom 3 drone have all launched in other markets in 2026 but aren't allowed to be sold in the US.

Wait, I Thought the FAA Regulated Drones?

The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) sets the rules for how and where you can fly drones, but the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) approves electronic devices. The FCC must approve nearly every consumer electronics device before it can be sold in the US.

I Already Own a Drone, Can I Continue to Use It?

Yes. You'll still need to follow all FAA rules  for use, but so far, there are no restrictions on using older drones from DJI and other brands that previously received authorization. It's a good idea to follow the regulations, though, as the FAA has been more aggressive in fining pilots who violate Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) orders or otherwise skirt the rules in recent months. The New York Times reports that the FBI confiscated more than 700 drones that violated TFR orders that were in place during the World Cup, for instance.

Are DJI's Cameras and Gimbals Included in the Ban?

Yes. The Covered List now includes "communications and video surveillance equipment and services listed in Section 1709(a)(1)" of the NDAA, and the language in that law applies to DJI's entire product line, not just its drones. A DJI spokesperson confirms that all of its products, including Ronin and Osmo, are now on the Covered List.

Again, this only applies to products that have not yet received FCC approval. Older releases like the Osmo Action 5 Pro , Osmo Pocket 3 , and RS 3 Mini aren't affected. But new releases, including the Osmo Pocket 4 and 4P, aren't allowed to be marketed in the US.

The FCC has not yet moved to revoke authorization for older DJI camera equipment, but it has moved to stop sales of cameras from Xtra, a US-based company that specializes in what are best described as clones of DJI's action and vlogging camera line.

What About Drones (and Cameras) That Were Previously Authorized?

When the drone ban first took effect in December, it seemed that drones and DJI cameras previously vetted by the FCC were safe. Recent actions by the FCC have called that supposition into question.

In late July, the FCC moved to revoke approvals for a number of DJI clones , including Skyrover drones and Xtra cameras, and, in August, followed with a similar motion to revoke approvals for Anzu Robotics , a US-based company that licenses DJI technology for its Raptor drone. The FCC is also seeking to pull authorization for "military-grade" drone hardware, including anything with integrated LiDAR tech, a thermal camera, spray capabilities, or with a takeoff weight greater than 55 pounds.

Several consumer-grade DJI drones, including the Air 3S , Avata 360 , Mini 5 Pro , and Neo 2, use LiDAR for obstacle avoidance and are likely to be affected. Likewise, DJI's Mavic 3T, an enterprise-class drone with a thermal camera used for industrial inspections and by first responders, its Agras farming drones, and its FlyCart delivery drones are also in danger of losing FCC certification. The FCC's final decision on this action is expected in the first week of September.

All of these proposals are delayed for a period of public comment, but once that window closes, we expect Xtra cameras, several clone drone brands, including Anzu and Skyrover, and the aforementioned DJI models to disappear from retail in the US. We expect the decision on Xtra and Skyrover to drop within a couple of weeks, with Anzu following in early September. Note that you're still allowed to use these products if you already own them.

There is an unknown here: It's unclear what the FAA will do if the FCC revokes authorization for drones that it previously approved. The FAA requires pilots to provide a serial number when registering a Remote ID-equipped drone for recreational or commercial use, and it matches that serial number against drones for which it has issued a Declaration of Compliance . We'll have a clearer answer to that question in early September when the comment period for the proposed LiDAR drone ban closes.

I Still See Drones for Sale at Us Retailers. I Thought They Were Banned?

The FCC Covered List drone ban applies to future models that have not yet been approved for sale in the US. Drones that have previously been certified for sale are not included in the ban unless the FCC undertakes specific action to revoke their status. Its rules state that it must revoke authorization on a case-by-case basis.

I Want To Buy a Drone. Which One Should I Get Now?

You can check out our list of the best drones for specific recommendations on drones I've tested, but the general rule of thumb is to get a DJI drone that fits your budget and needs. The safest bet for beginners is the DJI Flip or the Potensic Atom 2, while we recommend that experts consider the DJI Mavic 4 Pro.

I'm a little less confident recommending a newer drone with LiDAR today on the outside chance that the FAA follows the FCC's lead and declares them military hardware. Recreational pilots don't have to register drones that weight 249g or less, so the DJI Mini 5 Pro and Neo 2 are still safe buys. The DJI Air 3S requires FAA registration for recreational flight, and owners face a potential headache  if  the FAA removes it from the  Compliance List . Whether the FAA will start removing drones from its registry remains unknown at this point, but we should know more in September, when the comment period for the LiDAR drone ban ends.

Can't I Just Import an Unapproved Drone or Osmo Pocket 4P?

Technically, yes, but you may run into unexpected problems. If you're flying under recreational rules and pick a drone that weighs 249g or less, you don't have to register with the FAA, so you're not likely to run into any headaches. However, if you're a pro pilot or want a drone that's heavier than 249g, you may run into trouble with registration if your imported drone has built-in Remote ID. The FAA's system restricts which Remote ID drones can be registered and requires you to enter a valid serial number.

Vlogging cameras like the banned Osmo Pocket 4P don't require any sort of federal registration, but there's been at least one instance of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confiscating a Pocket 4P from a US resident who bought one abroad and tried to bring it home. There are plenty available on eBay if you don't mind taking a chance.

Are There Any Drones Made in the US?

Yes, there are a handful of drone makers manufacturing products stateside, but they are typically made for industry, agriculture, or the military. The Parrot Anafi USA , Hylio Ares , and Teal Black Widow are a few examples indicative of the types of drones made stateside. These are serious drones made for first responders, law enforcement, crop monitoring, industrial inspections, and the military—they are simply not consumer-grade and cost far more than standard camera drones.

But almost every drone that's considered affordable is made in China. There's no US-made replacement for the camera drones that content creators, real estate photographers, and wedding videographers typically use. There's always the possibility a US company will try and enter the consumer market. I asked Hylio CEO Arthur Erickson when an American-made take on the DJI Mini 5 Pro could come to market and how much it would cost, and his answer is telling: "I think US companies in the next one to three years will come out with approximate DJI Mini equivalents around the $4,000 to $5,000 price point." That's some serious sticker shock, especially given that the Mini 5 Pro costs $759.

Are Any Drones Exempted From the Covered List?

Yes, but not consumer models. The FCC made additional changes to the Covered List on Jan. 7, carving out drones from the Department of Defense's Blue UAS Cleared List . These drones have been cleared for military use, and some are manufactured in other countries—specifically Denmark, France, Norway, Switzerland, and Taiwan. The change also removed drones that may contain foreign parts but have a high enough percentage of domestic components to qualify as US-made under the Buy American Standard . These amendments don't have any real-world implications for consumer drones; to date, none qualify for either exemption.

The FCC has also exempted what it calls toy drones . It has a long list of restrictions that a drone must meet to qualify as a toy. The highlights include a maximum takeoff weight of 150 grams, a 300-foot altitude limit, a maximum battery life of 10 minutes, a dedicated remote that doesn't use Wi-Fi, a top speed of 22.4mph, and a complete lack of GPS and camera capabilities. Essentially, this is a carve-out for true toys that look like drones.

I Saw a Headline Saying That the Drone Ban Was Dropped. Is That True?

No. While it's true that the Commerce Department ended its efforts to restrict the import of DJI and other drones in January 2026, it did so only because it would be redundant in light of the FCC's actions. The Commerce Department is a separate entity from the FCC, and its proposed restrictions were never implemented. Some reports on the Commerce Department's decision have misleading headlines that could make you think the government did an about-face, so I don't blame you for being confused.

If My Drone Breaks, Will I Be Able to Get Replacement Parts?

Yes. I asked the FCC if the component ban applied retroactively, and a representative referred me to the agency's fact sheet , which states that the entirety of additions to the Covered List are on a "going forward basis." A DJI spokesperson also confirms that parts for drones already approved are unaffected. That means you should be able to pick up a fresh battery or replace a broken gimbal or a worn-out motor for the drone you already own, at least in the near future.

Are Hasselblad Cameras Banned, Too?

This is unclear. DJI entered into a strategic partnership with the legendary Swedish camera brand in 2015 and strengthened it with a cash injection in early 2017. The two brands are quite close these days, going as far as to share booth space at trade shows, though they are technically different companies. The language in the NDAA extends to DJI's "subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, joint ventures, and any entity to which they have a technology sharing or licensing agreement," and it's certainly possible that Hasselblad falls under that big umbrella. However, I've not been able to get the FCC to confirm this, so my guess is that Hasselblad won't face any future difficulties. Call that informed speculation; to know for sure, we'll have to wait and see what happens the next time Hasselblad submits a camera for FCC review. That could be a couple of years away as its X2D II 100C and 907X & CFV 100C are both fairly new.

Does the Drone Ban Also Cover Model Aircraft?

Yes. Remote-controlled airplanes predate drones by decades and are a staple at hobby shops nationwide. In recent years, they have been segmented into the same regulatory bucket as drones. The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), the largest organization for model aircraft enthusiasts in the US, is tracking the situation via its blog .

Stay Tuned

DJI has taken its fight to remain in the US market to court, so I'll pay close attention to developments and update this story as news breaks. For now, the company and other foreign drone makers remain on the Covered List, so we'll have to wait and see whether it succeeds in its suit against the FCC. Keep your eyes peeled to PCMag for news and updates as the court battle proceeds.

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