The FCC’s new rules restrict future drone sales, but existing models remain legal. Here’s how it affects pilots, creators, and buyers.
It’s been months since the FCC took the unprecedented step of banning foreign-made drones, and the dust still hasn’t settled. You can still find drones in stores, register them with the FAA, and fly them legally, but only if they received clearance from the FCC prior to December 22. 2025. We’re not sure how many more new drones will come to market, and the FCC is now facing a lawsuit from DJI to overturn the ban. Meanwhile, the FCC is using the same tactics to attack other foreign tech companies. Just yesterday, it applied the same blanket restriction on new Wi-Fi routers, an unexpected, but now precedented, action.
There’s been some confusing reporting around what this means for creators who use camera drones, as well as DJI’s line of cameras, microphones, and gimbals as part of their workflow. Drone pros and content creators still aren’t feeling the full impact, as products introduced prior to the FCC’s changes to its Covered List aren’t included, but we’ve already seen some drones like the waterproof HoverAir Aqua come to other markets, but not the United States.
