The US is preparing for a complete ban on DJI drones by December 2025
By ForGeeks
DJI will face a ban on importing new drones into the U.S. on December 23, 2025, if U.S. agencies fail to conduct a mandatory safety audit.
By December 23, 2025, the U.S. must determine whether DJI drones can meet the requirements of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA-2025). If the audit is not done, the Federal Communications Commission will automatically put all DJI products on the Covered List, which will block imports of new devices and make it impossible to certify them to operate in the U.S. radio band. DJI warns that hundreds of thousands of jobs and key industries that depend on its technology would be jeopardized.
NDAA-2025 requirements and reasons for the ban
In December 2024, Congress approved NDAA-2025, which sets a one-year deadline for mandatory safety audits of drones of Chinese origin, including DJI and Autel. The DHS, DNI, FBI, NSA or DOD can conduct the audit, but DJI says the agencies are taking turns refusing to take responsibility.The Department of Homeland Security has said it is «continuing to assess risk» and will comply with the law once the assessment is complete. DJI formally requested an audit back in June, emphasizing its willingness to provide all the necessary data, but the audit has not begun.
Without an audit, the company can’t prove the safety of its products. The law does not require agencies to conduct an audit, so if the audit never starts, the ban will take effect automatically.
When the ban will take effect
On December 23, 2025, the FCC must place DJI on the Covered List. Once included, new devices will be considered «unreliable communications equipment» and will not be able to use frequencies regulated by the commission.
The Defense Department has previously classified DJI as «a Chinese military company», which the company strongly denies. In parallel, Customs and Border Protection has repeatedly detained DJI shipments, including non-drone-related goods.
Customs and Border Protection has also repeatedly detained DJI shipments.
Can you buy DJI now
DJI has confirmed that drones already purchased will continue to work. The restrictions will only affect imports and the launch of new models.Almost the entire range on DJI’s US website has been in a «out of stock» status for months. CBP delays have caused shortages throughout the supply chain, and many models are only available from third-party sellers, which puts buyers at risk.
Shortages and customs delays
Since the end of 2024, CBP has regularly blocked DJI shipments, citing suspected use of forced labor. DJI denies the allegations and emphasizes that it is not on the DHS list under the UFLPA law.The company calls the situation a «misunderstanding» and says it is negotiating with CBP. Even so, major retailers are reporting a lack of inventory, and shipments of new models for the U.S. market have been delayed.
Who could replace DJI in the US market
DJI estimates that its share in the U.S. commercial sector exceeds 70%, in agriculture — up to 90%, in police and fire departments — also about 90%.American manufacturers produce mainly industrial and military models costing several thousand dollars. There are virtually no analogs for consumers in the mass market. The largest player, AeroVironment, is focused on the defense sector and does not produce consumer drones.
AeroVironment’s main focus is on the defense sector and does not produce consumer drones.
With a policy of «bringing manufacturing back to the U.S.», the Trump administration has been pushing measures to support the domestic industry: two executive orders are in place to expand the U.S. presence in drone systems, and some states have banned the use of Chinese drones in government agencies. But no company is yet capable of replacing DJI in terms of price, production scale and availability.
