No American company has launched a consumer drone to take DJI’s place in the ten months since the FCC added foreign-made drones to its Covered List. DJI’s newest models are not sold in the US, and its older ones are running out.
The FCC’s decision of 22 December 2025 stops new authorisations for drones and critical drone parts made abroad. Models authorised before it can still be sold and flown.
What still gets through
The ban has exemptions. Drones on the Pentagon’s Blue UAS list and products that meet Buy American rules are exempt until 1 January 2028, the FCC said in July. The Pentagon and Homeland Security can also approve named foreign products, such as the ScoutDI Scout 137 inspection drone. Toy drones were taken out of the ban in June.
The rules have also tightened. In July the FCC proposed stopping continued sales of already-authorised equipment from nine companies, including the maker of the Skyrover S1. Since 3 September, imported consumer drones under 25 kg have carried a 25% US tariff.
Shelves running out
DJI launched new products in April, among them the Osmo Pocket 4, everywhere but the US. Its US store lists the Mini 4 Pro, authorised before the ban, as out of stock.
Zero Zero Robotics launched its waterproof HoverAir Aqua in more than 50 countries in May, but not the US, and offered American backers refunds, DroneXL reported. In August the FCC set aside the certification of HoverAir’s Versa drone three days after its launch, saying it had been granted in error.
Antigravity, a brand of Insta360, got its A1 360-degree drone into US stores on 4 December 2025, weeks before the FCC’s decision. It launched at $1,599.
Where US makers went
American drone makers are selling to the military. Skydio says the Army ordered more than 2,500 of its X10D drones for $52 million in March, which it calls the largest single-vendor tactical drone order in Army history.
The Pentagon said in December 2025 it would spend about $1 billion to field more than 300,000 small drones. Red Cat owns Teal Drones, an Army supplier. Unusual Machines owns the FPV brands Rotor Riot and Fat Shark and sells drone parts to defence makers.
