# Can you still buy DJI drones in the US?

**As of July 2026, yes for already-authorized models, but new DJI models can no longer clear FCC authorization for US sale.** As of the latest reporting on July 22, 2026: you can still buy DJI models that already received FCC authorization, and every DJI drone already in the US remains legal to own and fly (nothing is grounded or recalled). But new DJI models can no longer get the FCC authorization needed for legal US import and sale, under NDAA Section 1709 and the FCC Covered List, effective late December 2025. The FCC has since proposed extending the block to already-approved models and to rebranded DJI drones, so this is a moving situation. Check the date before you act.

Last verified Jul 22, 2026. 4 sources.

## Short answer

As of the most recent reporting, rechecked on July 26, 2026, the honest answer is a qualified yes, and it is changing. This is a regulatory status, so the date matters more than usual.

Here is where it stands. DJI is on the FCC Covered List, added in late December 2025 under Section 1709 of the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which directed the FCC to add DJI and Autel Robotics to the list after no federal security audit was completed by the deadline. Being on the Covered List means new DJI models cannot receive the FCC equipment authorization required to be legally imported, marketed, or sold in the US. UAV Coach reports that models already authorized before then, such as the Mavic, Air, Mini, and Neo lines, can still be imported and sold, and DroneDJ and the legal analysis confirm existing drones are not grounded, recalled, or made illegal to fly.

The situation is actively moving. On July 22, 2026, Reason reported the FCC proposed going further, targeting drones it had already approved and drones sold on shelves now, and cracking down on nine named companies it suspects are re-shelling DJI hardware under other brand names, with proposed fines against those that did not respond. DJI, which controls a large majority of the consumer drone market, disputes the security rationale. So: you can still buy an already-authorized DJI today, existing drones stay legal, new models are blocked, and the rules may tighten. Because this can change again, treat this page's July 2026 date as the as-of and verify current status before you buy.

## The DJI status, dated and sourced

Each row is dated to the reporting behind it, because this is a moving regulatory situation. Read the dates: the block on new models is in effect, while the extension to existing models is a July 2026 proposal, not yet final.

| What matters | Status | As of | Who (attributed) | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| New DJI models cannot clear FCC authorization for US sale. Pillsbury Law and DroneDJ report the FCC added a foreign-UAS entry to its Covered List effective late December 2025, so new foreign-made drones, including new DJI and Autel models, cannot receive the FCC authorization required to be legally imported, marketed, or sold in the US. | Blocked (new models) | Dec 22, 2025 (as reported) | Pillsbury Law and DroneDJ | [Pillsbury Law](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/fcc-categorical-prohibition-foreign-produced-uas-critical-components.html) (2025-12-22), [DroneDJ](https://dronedj.com/2026/01/08/us-dji-drone-ban-update/) (2026-01-08) |
| The trigger was NDAA Section 1709 and a missed audit deadline. UAV Coach explains Section 1709 of the FY2025 NDAA directed the FCC to add DJI and Autel to the Covered List unless a federal agency completed a security audit by December 23, 2025; no public audit was completed, so the restriction took effect automatically. | Legal basis | Dec 23, 2025 (as reported) | UAV Coach | [UAV Coach](https://uavcoach.com/dji-ban/) |
| Already-authorized DJI models remain legal to buy and fly. UAV Coach reports DJI models authorized before the action (the Mavic, Air, Mini, and Neo lines) can still be imported and sold, and DroneDJ confirms existing drones are not grounded or recalled and remain legal to own and operate. | Still legal | Jan 8, 2026 (as reported) | UAV Coach and DroneDJ | [UAV Coach](https://uavcoach.com/dji-ban/), [DroneDJ](https://dronedj.com/2026/01/08/us-dji-drone-ban-update/) (2026-01-08) |
| As of July 22, 2026, the FCC proposed going further. Reason reports the FCC proposed extending the block to drones it had already approved and to rebranded DJI hardware, naming nine companies it suspects of re-shelling DJI drones under other brands and proposing fines against eight that did not respond. DJI, which holds a large majority of the consumer drone market, disputes the security rationale. | Proposed (not final) | Jul 22, 2026 (as reported) | Reason | [Reason](https://reason.com/2026/07/22/fcc-wants-to-ban-drones-it-already-approved-for-sale/) (2026-07-22) |

## Where the DJI question stands

Each stance is attributed to who holds it. The situation is genuinely unsettled, so the honest posture is dated and hedged.

- **What is in effect: New DJI models blocked; existing ones legal.** Since late December 2025, new DJI models cannot clear FCC authorization for US sale, while already-authorized models can still be sold and every DJI drone already here stays legal to own and fly. This is the settled part, attributed to the FCC action and the reporting on it.
- **What is proposed: The FCC may extend the block (July 2026).** As of July 22, 2026, the FCC has proposed extending the restriction to already-approved models and cracking down on rebranded DJI drones. This is a proposal, not final rule, attributed to Reason's reporting; it could change what is buyable.
- **Where it stands: A moving target: check the date.** Because this is regulatory and actively changing, DEPLOY stamps this answer to its July 2026 as-of and states plainly that the situation can shift again. Verify current status before you buy, rather than treating any single date as permanent.

## How we know this

- [Pillsbury Law](https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/fcc-categorical-prohibition-foreign-produced-uas-critical-components.html) (2025-12-22)
- [DroneDJ](https://dronedj.com/2026/01/08/us-dji-drone-ban-update/) (2026-01-08)
- [UAV Coach](https://uavcoach.com/dji-ban/)
- [Reason](https://reason.com/2026/07/22/fcc-wants-to-ban-drones-it-already-approved-for-sale/) (2026-07-22)

## Common questions

### Are DJI drones banned in the US?

Not in the sense of being illegal to own or fly. As of July 2026, DJI drones already in the US remain fully legal to buy secondhand, own, and operate, and nothing is grounded or recalled. What has happened is that DJI is on the FCC Covered List, so new DJI models cannot get the FCC authorization needed for legal import and sale. It is a block on new equipment authorization, not a ban on the drones people already have.

### Can I still buy a new DJI drone in the US?

You can still buy DJI models that already had FCC authorization before the Covered List action (UAV Coach lists the Mavic, Air, Mini, and Neo lines among them), while supplies last. But genuinely new DJI models released after the block cannot clear FCC authorization for US sale. And as of July 2026 the FCC has proposed extending the restriction to already-approved models, so availability of even current models could tighten. Check the current status before you shop.

### Why can't DJI sell new drones in the US?

Section 1709 of the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act directed the FCC to add DJI and Autel Robotics to its Covered List unless a federal agency completed a security audit by the deadline in December 2025. No public audit was completed, so the automatic restriction took effect. Being on the Covered List blocks new equipment from getting the FCC authorization required to be legally imported, marketed, or sold. DJI disputes the security rationale.

### Is it legal to fly my DJI drone in the US?

Yes. As of July 2026 there is no ban on owning or flying DJI drones already in the US, and none are being grounded or recalled. You still follow the same FAA rules as any drone: register it if it weighs 250 grams or more, pass the free TRUST test for recreational flying, and comply with Remote ID. The Covered List action is about importing and selling new equipment, not about flying what you own.

### What are rebranded DJI drones?

As of July 22, 2026, Reason reported the FCC is targeting companies it suspects of re-shelling DJI hardware and selling it under other brand names to get around the restriction, naming nine such companies and proposing fines against eight that did not respond to information requests. If you are buying a lesser-known brand to avoid the DJI block, be aware regulators are scrutinizing exactly that practice, and the legal status of those products is unsettled.

## Keep reading

- [Which eVTOL company is closest to FAA certification?](/evtol-faa-certification-tracker.md): Drones & eVTOL
- [Is drone delivery legal?](/is-drone-delivery-legal.md): Drones & eVTOL
- [What's the best drone to buy right now?](/whats-the-best-drone-to-buy.md): Drones & eVTOL
- [What's the best drone for beginners?](/best-drone-for-beginners.md): Drones & eVTOL
- [All verified answers](/answers.md): Every standing question DEPLOY tracks.
- [Drones on the record](/drones.md): Every verified drone maker and model DEPLOY tracks.

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