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FCC Clears Four Foreign Drones for U.S. Import After Security Review

The move creates narrow exceptions to a broader import ban that continues to bar new models from major vendors.

United States Federal Communications Commission logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Overview

  • The FCC granted case-by-case exemptions for the SiFly Aviation Q12, Mobilicom SkyHopper series, ScoutDI Scout 137 and Verge X1, none from Chinese firms.
  • The approvals update the Covered List as conditional authorizations effective through Dec. 31, 2026, unless regulators revise or extend them.
  • The December ban still blocks FCC authorization for new drones and critical components from non-exempt foreign makers, though existing versions can be sold and used.
  • DJI, which supplies a large share of U.S. commercial drones, has petitioned the Ninth Circuit to overturn the FCC action; Autel products are also covered by the ban.
  • Regulators signaled other manufacturers may seek similar conditional approvals by submitting information for national-security review.