# Is drone delivery legal?

**Yes, with FAA approval.** In the United States, commercial drone delivery is legal, but not by default. An operator needs FAA authorization: an air carrier certificate plus permission to fly beyond visual line of sight, granted case by case. The proposed Part 108 rule would make routine BVLOS flights standard. Several operators have already cleared the bar.

Last verified May 30, 2024. 40 sources.

## Short answer

Commercial drone delivery is legal in the United States, but it is not something any company can simply switch on. A delivery operator has to be authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration, which today means holding a Part 135 air carrier certificate and separate clearance to fly beyond visual line of sight, the longer flights that delivery depends on.

The FAA grants that clearance operator by operator, so the honest answer is that drone delivery is legal where the FAA has approved a specific operator, not everywhere at once. On DEPLOY's record, Wing, Zipline, Amazon Prime Air, and Matternet have each cleared it, and every clearance is a dated, sourced FAA record below. The FAA's proposed Part 108 rule, published as a draft in August 2025 and not yet final, would replace the case by case waivers with a standing rule for routine flights.

Outside the United States, national aviation authorities run their own frameworks, and DEPLOY tracks the ones under which operators already fly, including Australia, Rwanda, and the European Union.

## How the FAA regulates drone delivery

| FAA rule | Status | In effect | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| FAA Part 107 Small UAS rule (United States) | In effect | Aug 29, 2016 | [eCFR (official)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-107), [eCFR (official)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-107/subpart-B), [FAA (official)](https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/small-unmanned-aircraft-systems-uas-regulations-part-107), [Federal Register (official)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/06/28/2016-15079/operation-and-certification-of-small-unmanned-aircraft-systems), [FAA (official)](https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-announces-effective-dates-final-drone-rules), [FAA (official)](https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/operations_over_people), [Federal Register (official)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/07/2025-14992/normalizing-unmanned-aircraft-systems-beyond-visual-line-of-sight-operations) |
| FAA Part 135 air-carrier certification (United States) | In effect | not yet on record | [eCFR (official)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-135), [Zipline (official)](https://www.zipline.com/newsroom/news/announcements/zipline-receives-faa-part-135-air-carrier-certification), [AOPA](https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2022/june/27/zipline-gets-faa-part-135-certification), [FreightWaves](https://www.freightwaves.com/news/faa-certification-puts-drone-firm-zipline-in-league-of-its-own) |
| FAA Part 108: Normalizing UAS Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight Operations | Proposed | not yet on record | not on record |

## Operators the FAA has cleared

| Operator | FAA authorization | Date | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Matternet | Matternet M2 FAA Type Certification (first non-military UAS type certification, September 2022) and FAA Production Certificate (November 30, 2022). Matternet's own delivery operations ran under a Section 44807 exemption; revenue Part 135 carriage was via partners (UPS Flight Forward, Ameriflight). | Nov 30, 2022 | [Business Wire](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221130005322/en/Matternet-Receives-FAA-Production-Certificate-for-its-M2-Drone-Delivery-System), [DroneLife](https://dronelife.com/2022/09/07/matternet-m2-drone-receives-first-faa-type-certification-for-a-non-military-drone/) |
| Zipline | Zipline FAA Part 135 air-carrier certification and BVLOS authority for autonomous drone delivery. | Sep 18, 2023 | [FAA (primary)](https://www.faa.gov/uas) |
| Amazon | Amazon Prime Air FAA BVLOS authority for the MK30 delivery drone (expanded 2024). | May 30, 2024 | [FAA (primary)](https://www.faa.gov/uas) |
| Wing | Wing (Alphabet) FAA Part 135 air-carrier certification for drone delivery. | not yet on record | [FAA (primary)](https://www.faa.gov/uas) |

## Where else drone delivery has a legal path

| Country | Authority | In force since | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Australia | CASA | Dec 1, 2001 | [Australia CASA (official)](https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/drone-rules/drone-safety-rules), [Australia CASA (official)](https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-08/part-101-micro-excluded-rpa-operations-plain-english-guide.pdf), [Australian Government Department of Infrastructure (official)](https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/aviation/aviation-safety/aircraft-noise/drone-delivery), [VentureBeat](https://venturebeat.com/2019/04/09/wing-launches-commercial-drone-delivery-service-in-canberra-australia/), [Wing (official)](https://blog.wing.com/2021/08/logan-australia-drone-delivery-capital.html) |
| United Kingdom | UK CAA | Aug 25, 2016 | [UK Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/regulations-consultations-and-policy-programmes/uk-regulatory-framework-for-drones-and-other-unmanned-aircraft/), [UK Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/regulations-consultations-and-policy-programmes/policy-programmes/beyond-visual-line-of-sight-bvlos/), [legislation.gov.uk (official)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/765/contents), [Lexology](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=a173acfe-5e59-48b8-8545-db2a9c487017) |
| Rwanda | RCAA | Jan 1, 2018 | [Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.caa.gov.rw/unmanned-aircraft), [Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.caa.gov.rw/index.php?eID=dumpFile&t=f&f=40004&token=8e4aa686c32668b4bd9958cbb9bf8c4f68c227ec), [DroneBelow](https://dronebelow.com/2018/01/24/zipline-spearheads-drone-performance-regulations-rwanda/), [Visit Rwanda (Rwanda Development Board)](https://visitrwanda.com/facts/drones/) |
| Ghana | GCAA (Ghana) | Jan 1, 2018 | [Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.gcaa.com.gh/web/remotely-piloted-aircraft-system-2/), [Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.gcaa.com.gh/web/wp-content/uploads/2018/directives/GCA_FLIGHT_STANDARDS_DIRECTIVE/PART_28_REMOTELY_PILOTED_AIRCRAFT_SYSTEMS_DIRECTIVES.pdf), [Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.gcaa.com.gh/web/wp-content/uploads/2018/RPAS/RPAS-Guidance-for-Commercial-Operations/Guidance.pdf) |
| Switzerland | FOCA | Jan 1, 2023 | [Fedlex (Swiss official)](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2022/802/en), [Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (official)](https://www.bazl.admin.ch/en/flight-rules-drones), [IEEE Spectrum](https://spectrum.ieee.org/swiss-post-suspends-drone-delivery-service-after-second-crash), [Swiss Post (official)](https://www.post.ch/-/media/post/ueber-uns/dokumente/bericht-expertenrat-post-drohnen.pdf?sc_lang=en) |
| European Union | EASA | Jan 26, 2023 | [EUR-Lex (official)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R0664), [EASA (official)](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/easy-access-rules/easy-access-rules-u-space-regulation-eu-2021664), [EUR-Lex (official)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2021/664/oj/eng), [EUR-Lex (official)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2021/665/oj/eng), [EASA (official)](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/air-traffic-management/u-space), [EASA (official)](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/regulations/commission-implementing-regulation-eu-2021664) |

## How we know this

- [eCFR (official)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-107)
- [eCFR (official)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-F/part-107/subpart-B)
- [FAA (official)](https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/small-unmanned-aircraft-systems-uas-regulations-part-107)
- [Federal Register (official)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/06/28/2016-15079/operation-and-certification-of-small-unmanned-aircraft-systems)
- [FAA (official)](https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/faa-announces-effective-dates-final-drone-rules)
- [FAA (official)](https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/operations_over_people)
- [Federal Register (official)](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/07/2025-14992/normalizing-unmanned-aircraft-systems-beyond-visual-line-of-sight-operations)
- [eCFR (official)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-135)
- [Zipline (official)](https://www.zipline.com/newsroom/news/announcements/zipline-receives-faa-part-135-air-carrier-certification)
- [AOPA](https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2022/june/27/zipline-gets-faa-part-135-certification)
- [FreightWaves](https://www.freightwaves.com/news/faa-certification-puts-drone-firm-zipline-in-league-of-its-own)
- [Business Wire](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221130005322/en/Matternet-Receives-FAA-Production-Certificate-for-its-M2-Drone-Delivery-System)
- [DroneLife](https://dronelife.com/2022/09/07/matternet-m2-drone-receives-first-faa-type-certification-for-a-non-military-drone/)
- [FAA (primary)](https://www.faa.gov/uas)
- [Australia CASA (official)](https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/drone-rules/drone-safety-rules)
- [Australia CASA (official)](https://www.casa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-08/part-101-micro-excluded-rpa-operations-plain-english-guide.pdf)
- [Australian Government Department of Infrastructure (official)](https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/aviation/aviation-safety/aircraft-noise/drone-delivery)
- [VentureBeat](https://venturebeat.com/2019/04/09/wing-launches-commercial-drone-delivery-service-in-canberra-australia/)
- [Wing (official)](https://blog.wing.com/2021/08/logan-australia-drone-delivery-capital.html)
- [UK Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/regulations-consultations-and-policy-programmes/uk-regulatory-framework-for-drones-and-other-unmanned-aircraft/)
- [UK Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/regulations-consultations-and-policy-programmes/policy-programmes/beyond-visual-line-of-sight-bvlos/)
- [legislation.gov.uk (official)](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/765/contents)
- [Lexology](https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=a173acfe-5e59-48b8-8545-db2a9c487017)
- [Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.caa.gov.rw/unmanned-aircraft)
- [Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.caa.gov.rw/index.php?eID=dumpFile&t=f&f=40004&token=8e4aa686c32668b4bd9958cbb9bf8c4f68c227ec)
- [DroneBelow](https://dronebelow.com/2018/01/24/zipline-spearheads-drone-performance-regulations-rwanda/)
- [Visit Rwanda (Rwanda Development Board)](https://visitrwanda.com/facts/drones/)
- [Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.gcaa.com.gh/web/remotely-piloted-aircraft-system-2/)
- [Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.gcaa.com.gh/web/wp-content/uploads/2018/directives/GCA_FLIGHT_STANDARDS_DIRECTIVE/PART_28_REMOTELY_PILOTED_AIRCRAFT_SYSTEMS_DIRECTIVES.pdf)
- [Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (official)](https://www.gcaa.com.gh/web/wp-content/uploads/2018/RPAS/RPAS-Guidance-for-Commercial-Operations/Guidance.pdf)
- [Fedlex (Swiss official)](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2022/802/en)
- [Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (official)](https://www.bazl.admin.ch/en/flight-rules-drones)
- [IEEE Spectrum](https://spectrum.ieee.org/swiss-post-suspends-drone-delivery-service-after-second-crash)
- [Swiss Post (official)](https://www.post.ch/-/media/post/ueber-uns/dokumente/bericht-expertenrat-post-drohnen.pdf?sc_lang=en)
- [EUR-Lex (official)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021R0664)
- [EASA (official)](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/easy-access-rules/easy-access-rules-u-space-regulation-eu-2021664)
- [EUR-Lex (official)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2021/664/oj/eng)
- [EUR-Lex (official)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2021/665/oj/eng)
- [EASA (official)](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/air-traffic-management/u-space)
- [EASA (official)](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/regulations/commission-implementing-regulation-eu-2021664)

## Common questions

### Is drone delivery legal in the US?

Yes, but only with FAA approval. Commercial drone delivery is legal in the United States when the operator holds the FAA authorizations it requires, a Part 135 air carrier certificate to carry goods for compensation and separate clearance to fly beyond visual line of sight. The FAA grants these operator by operator, so delivery is legal where a specific operator has been approved, not automatically everywhere.

### Do you need a license for drone delivery?

For commercial delivery, yes. Flying a small drone for fun falls under the FAA's Part 107 rule, but carrying packages for a business is air carrier activity: it needs a Part 135 certificate plus authorization to fly beyond visual line of sight. Those are company-level FAA authorizations, not a single consumer license, and DEPLOY records each one it can verify as a dated, sourced filing.

### What is FAA Part 108?

Part 108 is the FAA's proposed rule for routine flights beyond visual line of sight, the flights drone delivery depends on. Today those flights need case by case waivers; Part 108 would replace them with a standing rule. The FAA published it as a draft (an NPRM) in August 2025, and it was not finalized as of mid 2026, so it is a proposal on the record, not settled law.

### Which companies are approved for drone delivery?

On DEPLOY's record, Wing, Zipline, Amazon Prime Air, and Matternet each hold a verified FAA drone delivery authorization, and the table on this page carries the exact clearance, date, and source for each. Other operators fly under FAA waivers too; DEPLOY adds each one to the record as it verifies the filing rather than listing unverified claims.

### Is drone delivery legal outside the US?

In several countries, yes, under each nation's own aviation authority. DEPLOY tracks the national frameworks under which delivery operators already fly, including Australia (where Wing runs commercial delivery under CASA rules), Rwanda (Zipline's performance based framework), Switzerland, Ghana, the United Kingdom, and the European Union's U-space rules. Each framework is a dated, sourced record on this page.

## Keep reading

- [Which eVTOL company is closest to FAA certification?](/evtol-faa-certification-tracker.md): Drones & eVTOL
- [All verified answers](/answers.md): Every standing question DEPLOY tracks.
- [Wing company record](/companies/wing.md): Models, deployments, and filings for Alphabet's drone delivery arm.
- [Zipline company record](/companies/zipline.md): The autonomous delivery operator's verified record and deployments.

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