Chinese Dronemaker DJI Sues to Challenge US Import Ban on New Models
DJI argues the FCC ban lacks evidence of national security risks and violates due process, threatening over 70% of the US commercial drone market, including law enforcement and agriculture.
- Filing in federal appeals court on February 20, DJI petitioned to overturn the FCC's December 2025 addition of DJI to its Covered List, which bars new drone sales in the US.
- Regulatory push followed earlier DoD designations and the Department of Commerce , though the FCC can only add products for national security risks, without identifying specific threats to DJI.
- DJI's market share tops over 70%, leaving few Western alternatives at comparable price and capability, while more than 80% of state and local law enforcement agencies rely on its drones and panic stockpiling spread among Hollywood cinematographers and industrial farmers after the late-2025 announcement.
- Seeking to block the ban's final effect, DJI is suing to prevent the FCC's addition to the Covered List from ending its U.S. operations, arguing the agency 'exceeded its statutory authority'.
- After the FCC issued Waiver 0126 in January, some foreign-made drones may stay available through January 1, 2027 if they pass 'rigorous cyber and hardware assessments', while the Ninth Circuit prepares to hear the case and the U.S. drone industry waits.
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25 Articles
Channel News Asia
Chinese drone maker DJI sues to contest US import ban
Chinese firm DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer, has sued the US Federal Communications Commission for adding it to a blacklist which restricts sales in the United States, the company said Wednesday (Feb 25).DJI has faced growing scrutiny from Washington in recent years, including for its alleged rol
The drones have been at the heart of the United States-China relations policy
DJI sues US Federal Communications Commission · TechNode
According to the Global Times, on Feb. 20, DJI filed an appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, challenging the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) December 23, 2025, decision to place the company and its products on the restricted list. In its petition, DJI stated that the FCC’s action lacked substantial evidence and contained serious procedural and substantive flaws, not only violating the principle of due process but …
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