Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the "DJI ban" and its consequences on US drone legislation
What is the Countering CCP Drone Act/DJI Ban?
The Countering CCP Drone Act, also known as the “DJI Ban”, refers to a legislative effort to mandate the inclusion of DJI on the Federal Communications Commission’s Covered List. The result of this would mean all new DJI models would be banned for use in the USA.
What is the current status of the legislation?
On December 19, 2024, the U.S. Congress finalized the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) without including the Countering CCP Drones Act. This means that new DJI models are not currently banned from being sold or operated on U.S. soil. However, the NDAA mandates an “appropriate national security authority” to make a determination within one year (end of 2025) about whether DJI (& Autel) pose a threat to US national security.
What are the implications for Chinese-manufactured drones?
If the investigation decides a threat is posed, or if they fail to make a determination within a year, the manufacturer will be added to the FCC's Covered List, effectively banning them from new product launches in the U.S. This could create significant disruptions for customers relying on banned manufacturers.
How does this impact Wingtra drones, partners, and users?
Wingtra drones are designed and assembled in Switzerland, and do not rely on Chinese-manufactured components to capture or store data. As a company listed on the Blue UAS Cleared List, Wingtra is uniquely positioned to provide compliant, future-proof surveying solutions to US customers.
Future DJI products could potentially be impacted. DJI has a few models launching in the next few months—will they be prevented from being imported?
This legislation is expected to primarily impact new products, which could be banned if an investigation concludes that they pose a safety threat. For products that are already launched, it is uncertain if their licenses will be revoked.
As of now, the FCC continues to issue licenses for DJI products. This means that within the next six months, DJI should be able to import and sell the upcoming models without issue. Furthermore, given the recent change in administration, it is unlikely that a commission will be named and an investigation conducted before these products are launched.
Is there a grace period after being added to the FCC list, or are fleets allowed to continue flying?
When a company or product is added to the FCC list, the restrictions take immediate effect. This means that, in most cases, there is no grace period, and impacted fleets would need to comply immediately with any imposed restrictions.
That being said, the timeframe for a final decision or conclusion on this matter is currently projected to be December 23, 2025, if no resolution is reached earlier. Once findings are made, they will be publicly shared in detail.
What are the chances of the ban extending beyond just DJI?
While the current focus is on DJI, the language of the legislation also includes Autel and could apply to any subsidiaries or affiliated companies associated with these brands. This indicates that the scope of the restrictions may extend beyond just DJI, potentially affecting a broader range of companies.
However, it’s important to note that US and allied nations will not be impacted by these measures. The focus remains on addressing potential security concerns tied to specific entities.
Are there examples of companies that have been banned, and has this had any impact in the EU?
The FCC Covered List currently includes eleven companies, though no drone manufacturers have been added as of today. Huawei is one notable example of a company that has been banned. If DJI or other drone manufacturers are added to this list, it would result in a full stop for their products in the U.S. market.
In the EU, these bans have sparked discussions, but there have been no tangible repercussions or regulatory actions taken thus far.