DJI, the leading consumer drone manufacturer, is challenging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)’s import ban on new foreign-made drones, in place since December 23, 2025.
On Tuesday, the Shenzhen-based firm submitted a petition [PDF] to the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit asking the court to reverse the FCC’s move to place DJI on its Covered List. According to the FCC, the Covered List names communications gear and services “deemed to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States or the security and safety of United States persons.”
In its petition dated February 20, 2026, DJI said:
Petitioners ask for review of the Ruling, arguing that the FCC exceeded its statutory authority, failed to follow statutorily required procedures, and violated the Fifth Amendment when it purported to add DJI’s products to the Covered List. Petitioners respectfully request this Court declare the Ruling unlawful, vacate, enjoin, and set it aside, and grant any other relief the Court finds appropriate.
In January, the FCC exempted a small set of foreign-made drones — including certain models from Europe — through the end of this year. It also granted exemptions for select foreign-made critical drone components, such as parts from Japan’s Sony and Panasonic and South Korea’s Samsung. The FCC has not granted exemptions for any drones or parts manufactured in China.
In a December 22 statement, the FCC warned that “criminals, hostile foreign actors, and terrorists can use [drones] to present new and serious threats to our homeland.” The agency said its ban decision followed a review by an Executive Branch interagency body that it described as having “appropriate national security expertise” and as being “convened by the White House.”
Reports say DJI repeatedly asked the US government to audit its devices before the import ban was imposed.
In a company statement shared with Bloomberg today, DJI said:
Despite repeated attempts to engage with the government, DJI says it was never afforded an opportunity to present information to address or rebut any concerns. These procedural and substantive flaws, the company added, violate the Constitution and federal law.
In a statement to Reuters today, DJI also said the FCC’s action “carelessly restricts DJI’s business in the US and summarily denies U.S. customers access to its latest technology.”
