DJI Is Suing the FCC for Blocking Its Ability to Import and Sell in the U.S.

DJI has filed a lawsuit against the United States Federal Communications Commission for blocking its ability to import and sell its products.

Last December, the FCC added DJI to what it calls the “Covered List,” which effectively banned all future DJI drones from entering the United States. DJI and other foreign-made drones and drone parts were immediately added to this list by default and any products on it cannot be legally imported into the United States.

“DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, is challenging the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to prohibit DJI from marketing, selling, and importing new products into the United States. To protect its business and American consumers who rely on its products, DJI has filed a petition for review in the Ninth Circuit, contesting the FCC’s addition of DJI’s communications and video surveillance equipment to the Commission’s ‘Covered List,'” a DJI spokesperson tells PetaPixel in an email.

“As outlined in the petition, the decision to list DJI’s products is procedurally and substantively flawed. The FCC can add products to the Covered List only when they present a national security threat, yet it has never identified any threat associated with DJI or its products. Despite repeated efforts to engage with the government, DJI has never been given the chance to provide information to address or refute any concerns. These procedural and substantive deficiencies violate the Constitution and federal law,” they continue.

“The listing also causes great harm to DJI and its customers. It carelessly restricts DJI’s business in the U.S. and summarily denies U.S. customers access to its latest technology, while users elsewhere continue to benefit. Americans across industries—including small business owners, public safety officers, farmers, and creators—have been and will continue to be affected, losing access to the tools they rely on to make a living and save lives.”

DJI has been in a stalemate with the U.S. government for more than a year. In late 2024, DJI was put on a list to undergo an audit of its products and security in order to remain able to legally operate in the U.S. That audit never happened, despite DJI pleading with the relevant agencies to start the audit multiple times throughout 2025. It seemed that rather than perform the congressionally mandated audit, the U.S. agencies decided to just let the clock run out.

Throughout the last year, DJI has insisted that it had nothing to hide and that it would welcome an audit of its business.

“DJI takes the security of its products very seriously. The company has long advocated for independent, objective review of its products. As part of our commitment to the U.S. market and our customers across numerous industries, we will continue to engage constructively with the FCC and other stakeholders,” the DJI spokesperson concludes.

Image credits: DJI