It’s now becoming much harder to buy some of the best drones in the US. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has introduced a new ban on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), including drones, built outside of the US.
The new rules went into effect on Dec. 23. All foreign-made drones will now automatically be included in the FCC Covered List, unless overruled by the Pentagon or the Department of Homeland Security.
The ban comes from security concerns with a government review finding foreign-made drones pose “unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons.”
The biggest impact is on China’s DJI, which is the world’s most popular producer of drones. It will also impact other drone manufacturers, such as Autel.
This new ban doesn’t impact products already on sale, meaning you can continue to buy existing drones from DJI and other Chinese manufacturers. You can also continue to use all foreign-made drones without any repercussions as the Covered List rules only impact sales of new products.
However, many of DJI’s most recent additions, including the Neo 2, aren’t available in the US due to rules enforced by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This isn’t connected to the FCC’s ban with the CBP saying DJI violates the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. DJI disputed the claim in July.
The new FCC rules also mean you may find fixing your current drone more difficult in the future. Foreign manufacturers are now unable to import replacement parts, and you’ll no longer be able to send your drone outside of the US for a repair.
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The FCC Chairman, Brendan Carr, said, “I welcome this Executive Branch national security determination, and I am pleased that the FCC has now added foreign drones and related components, which pose an unacceptable national security risk, to the FCC’s Covered List. Following President Trump’s leadership, the FCC will work closely with U.S. drone makers to unleash American drone dominance.”
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A spokesperson for DJI told PCMag it is “disappointed” by these new rules. The spokesperson said, “While DJI was not singled out, no information has been released regarding what information was used by the Executive Branch in reaching its determination.”
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“DJI products are among the safest and most secure on the market, supported by years of reviews conducted by U.S. government agencies and independent third parties. Concerns about DJI’s data security have not been grounded in evidence and instead reflect protectionism, contrary to the principles of an open market.”
PCMag’s drone and camera expert Jim Fisher, says, “The FCC went further than was originally outlined in the NDAA, adding all foreign-made drones and components to the covered list, not just those from DJI and Autel. While there are some drones designed for industry and public safety manufactured stateside, they’re too expensive and specialized for photographers, videographers, and drone hobbyists to consider.”
Fisher recommends those looking for a new drone look toward the Potensic Atom 2 as an alternative to the DJI’s Mini range. Other options include the newly released Antigravity A1, although it remains an expensive option.
Fisher recently wrote, “When it comes to consumer drones, there’s DJI, and then there’s everyone else. DJI beats other brands in camera quality and safety features, so losing access to its products will simply be devastating for drone enthusiasts, vloggers, filmmakers, and others who use DJI gear for aerial video and photography.”
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