U.S. Federal Communications Commission Bans Import of Foreign-Made Drones

By Charlie McCarthy | Monday, 22 December 2025 02:02 PM EST

The U.S. government is preparing to crack down on foreign-made drones by moving to prohibit the import, sale, operation and marketing of new models of drones and drone components manufactured by foreign countries.

The action, expected to be announced Monday by the Federal Communications Commission at an afternoon press conference, would target new drone models and components produced overseas. Under the plan, new models of devices added to the Covered List—including drones produced in foreign countries—will not receive FCC authorization and thus cannot be imported or marketed for use or sale in the United States.

Importantly, the policy will not be retroactive. It does not affect drones or drone components currently sold in the United States, meaning existing products on store shelves or in consumers’ hands remain unaffected. The rule will apply through the FCC’s authorization process.

The move underscores a broader point for those concerned about critical supply chains: National security doesn’t stop at missiles and microchips. Drones are flying cameras, mapping tools, and data collectors—and adversarial regimes have every incentive to exploit that ecosystem, whether through embedded vulnerabilities, forced cooperation with state intelligence services, or access to U.S. infrastructure and sensitive imagery.

Supporters argue the crackdown is overdue, particularly as drones become more common in law enforcement, emergency response, agriculture, and industrial inspections. Limiting new foreign-made models could also encourage U.S. manufacturers and trusted allies to fill the gap, strengthening domestic industry while reducing dependence on hostile governments.