The US Federal Communications Commission barred Chinese drone maker DJI from importing new products into the United States. The action was taken one day before 23 December 2025, when a statutory deadline for action concerning DJI was due to take effect.
The restriction applies to new DJI products containing wireless radios, including drones and products other than drones. Existing DJI drones and existing Osmo cameras can continue to be used in the United States.
DJI drones are important for farmers, energy companies, and rescue workers since no viable alternatives exist. But politicians of all stripes claim to be worried about DJI spying on people, even though the US government has never publicly provided evidence of that.
The FCC may also prohibit imports of older DJI products after a waiting period. The report said the FCC’s authority could apply to products beyond drones where they contain wireless-radio equipment.
The Verge reported US Customs had been blocking imports of many DJI drones for more than a year before the FCC action, seemingly claiming that DJI was using forced labor to produce its drones.
Between import scrutiny, increased tariffs and the broader political situation, most of its products had disappeared from store shelves; it didn’t even bother to launch its flagship Mavic 4 Pro, Mini 5 Pro, and Neo 2 in the US.