If you’re considering adding a DJI drone to your holiday shopping list, it may be wise to act quickly. The company has issued a significant warning that its drones could face a ban from sales in the United States, with a crucial deadline approaching rapidly.
The situation stems from a recent vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which passed a resolution aimed at closing loopholes permitting the sale of technology deemed a “national security risk.” By a unanimous vote of 3-0, the FCC is taking steps to categorize DJI, a Chinese company, similarly to the way it treated Huawei, effectively positioning it for a potential ban from the U.S. market.
DJI has emphasized the urgency of the situation, posting on social media that a “deadline that could decide DJI’s fate in the US is just 43 days away.” The company has been vocal about the risk of an “automatic ban” if an audit does not occur, as the U.S. government continues to flag DJI as a security concern. Additional scrutiny may also extend to brands like TP-Link, which are under consideration for separate action.
Despite the alarm, it’s important to note that the FCC’s vote does not immediately enact a ban. For any future restrictions to be implemented, they will need to target specific products and include a public consultation period. Nonetheless, it sets the stage for possibly restricting sales of current and upcoming DJI drones, as well as other products utilizing DJI technology.
The government has mandated a security audit of DJI by the end of this year. However, if this audit fails to materialize, DJI’s products could face a ban under national security legislation without any proven wrongdoing or right to contest the decision.
Adam Welsh, DJI’s head of global policy, voiced concerns about the lack of progress on the audit process, highlighting that the company is open to the audit but has seen no movement for over ten months. He insists that while the U.S. government has the right to enforce national security measures, these actions should also reflect principles of due process, fairness, and transparency.
For current DJI drone owners, the potential ban pertains solely to new sales; thus, existing drones would remain legal for use under current regulations. However, federal agencies are restricted from acquiring or utilizing drones from Chinese manufacturers, including DJI.
Historically, DJI’s products have received high marks in their category. The brand continuously features in tech reviews, notably dominating CNET’s list of best drones for 2025 earlier this year. However, some of DJI’s latest releases, like the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, have yet to be available in the U.S. due to this uncertainty.
Moreover, inventory challenges are exacerbating the situation. Reports from UAV Coach indicate that many DJI models are currently sold out, suggesting that even products not yet banned could become increasingly difficult to purchase in the face of impending regulatory actions.
As the deadline nears, DJI’s fate in the U.S. market remains uncertain, but the company is calling for a fair evaluation process, hopeful that transparency will prevail over national security concerns.