DJI Sues FCC Over US Import Ban on New Drone Models

Chinese drone manufacturer Da-Jiang Innovations (DJI) has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to challenge a decision that effectively bans the import and sale of its new products in the United States. The petition, filed on February 20, 2026, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, contests DJI's inclusion on the FCC's "Covered List," a designation for equipment deemed an unacceptable national security risk.

The lawsuit escalates the ongoing conflict between the world's largest drone manufacturer and U.S. regulators. At stake is DJI's access to the American market, where it holds a dominant position. According to Drone Industry Insights, DJI accounts for over 70% of the global drone market share and, as of March 2020, held 77% of the U.S. consumer drone market. The FCC's action prevents DJI from obtaining the necessary authorizations to market and sell any new models in the country.

Background of the 'Covered List'

The regulatory action stems from the Secure and Trusted Communications Network Act of 2019, which requires the FCC to maintain a list of communications equipment and services posing a national security threat. On or around December 22, 2025, the FCC updated its Covered List to include foreign-produced Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) based on a review by an Executive Branch interagency body. In its announcement, the FCC stated that "criminals, hostile foreign actors, and terrorists can use [drones] to present new and serious threats to our homeland."

This designation prohibits the use of federal funds to purchase listed equipment and, crucially, bars the FCC from granting new equipment authorizations. While the ban is not retroactive and does not affect DJI drones that had already received FCC approval, it effectively halts the introduction of any future products to the U.S. market, crippling the company's ability to innovate and compete.

DJI's Legal Challenge

In its petition, DJI argues that the FCC's decision is unlawful. The company asserts that the agency acted without providing specific evidence of a national security threat posed by DJI products. "The FCC can add products to the Covered List only when they present a national security threat, yet it has never identified any threat associated with DJI or its products," the company stated. DJI claims it was not given an opportunity to refute the government's concerns before the listing was finalized.

The lawsuit seeks a judicial review to overturn the FCC's decision, which DJI contends will cause irreparable harm to its business and to the American consumers and businesses that rely on its technology for applications ranging from photography to agriculture and emergency services.

Broader Regulatory Scrutiny

The FCC's action is part of a wider pattern of U.S. government scrutiny targeting the Chinese tech firm. In October 2022, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) added DJI to its list of "Chinese military companies," a designation under Section 1260H that restricts U.S. investment in the company. DJI challenged this listing in a separate lawsuit filed in October 2024, arguing the DoD had erroneously included it. However, a U.S. District Court ruling in September 2025 upheld the Pentagon's designation.

These regulatory pressures reflect growing concerns in Washington over technology supply chain security and the potential for data collected by Chinese-made devices to be accessed by Beijing. The U.S. Commerce Department has also considered new rules to address risks from drones made with technology from foreign adversaries. DJI has consistently denied that its products pose a security risk and has opposed the military use of its drones, suspending business in Russia and Ukraine in an attempt to keep its technology out of the conflict.

Why This Matters

This legal battle represents a critical test of the U.S. government's authority to restrict foreign technology on national security grounds without disclosing specific evidence. The outcome could set a significant precedent for other international technology companies operating in the U.S. For the UAS industry, a sustained ban on the market leader's new products could stifle innovation and increase costs for commercial and recreational users who depend on DJI's advanced and widely available systems.

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