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DJI Sues to Overturn FCC Drone Import Ban in Ninth Circuit

The dronemaker argues the Covered List listing was unlawful overreach that denied due process.

Overview

  • Dji filed a February 20 petition asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to vacate the FCC decision placing its products on the Covered List.
  • The FCC order, effective since December 23, 2025, blocks new foreign-made drones from entering the U.S. market.
  • The company claims the agency exceeded its statutory authority, skipped required procedures, and violated the Fifth Amendment, saying the action has severely harmed its business.
  • The FCC defends the move as a national-security measure following a White House–convened interagency review and warns that drones can be exploited by criminals, hostile actors, or terrorists.
  • Limited waivers permit certain non‑Chinese drones and components from firms including Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung through 2026, with no exemptions for Chinese-made gear; a separate DoD listing of DJI remains in litigation after a 2025 ruling.