Federal Communications Commission
US telecoms regulator; added DJI and foreign drones to Covered List in December 2025.
Last refreshed: 30 March 2026
Will the FCC Covered List extend to European regulators next?
- What is the FCC Covered List for drones?
- The FCC Covered List bars manufacturers deemed national security risks from certifying new devices. DJI and Autel were added December 2025 under Section 1709 FY25 NDAA.Source: FCC
- FCC drone ban DJI December 2025?
- The FCC added all foreign-manufactured drones to its Covered List on 22 December 2025, preventing DJI and Autel from certifying new US products.Source: FCC
- FAR 52.240-1 drone procurement ban?
- FAR clause 52.240-1, effective 13 March 2026, bans drones from ASDA-covered foreign entities in all US federal contracts.Source: Acquisition.gov
- How does the FCC regulate drones?
- The FCC controls which wireless devices can transmit on US frequencies. Drones need FCC certification, giving the Commission veto over market access.
Background
The Federal Communications Commission regulates radio spectrum, telecommunications, and wireless device certification in the United States. In the drone sector, the FCC controls which devices can legally transmit on US frequencies, giving it effective veto power over market access.
On 22 December 2025, the FCC added all foreign-manufactured drones and critical components to its Covered List under Section 1709 of the FY25 NDAA, blocking DJI and Autel Robotics from certifying new US products. This market-access decision was then converted into a binding procurement rule when FAR clause 52.240-1 took effect on 13 March 2026.
The FCC action is one of three simultaneous regulatory pressures on Chinese drone suppliers. A Section 232 tariff investigation reached its 270-day deadline in March 2026 with no public decision, and the FAA missed its Part 108 BVLOS deadline, delaying the commercial scaling that would justify domestic component investment.