The Federal Communications Commission has launched new proceedings to restrict the import and sale of foreign-made drones and surveillance equipment, signalling a significant escalation in US security measures affecting international technology supply chains.
The Federal Communications Commission has opened two separate comment proceedings that could widen restrictions on imported drone and surveillance equipment already cleared for sale in the United States, extending its national-security effort beyond newly certified products to devices that were authorised previously. According to the commission’s public notices, the proposals would affect certain foreign-made uncrewed aircraft systems, their critical components and some communications and video surveillance products linked to DJI Technologies and other manufacturers.
The move builds on an earlier FCC decision this year to target equipment on its Covered List, which identifies products deemed to pose security risks. In June, the commission began barring the continued importation and marketing of some previously authorised covered equipment, following a similar process of public notice and comment. The FCC has also updated the list in recent months to exclude some uncrewed aircraft systems that were cleared by the Department of War for lower-risk use, including those on the Blue UAS Cleared List and certain domestic end products.
In the first of the new proceedings, released on July 17, the FCC is seeking comment on whether to bar the continued importation and marketing of previously authorised foreign-produced drones and related components, along with some communications and video surveillance gear that the agency says may be white-labelled DJI products. The notice names a range of devices tied to companies including Cogito, Fikaxo, Lyno Dynamics, Skyhigh Tech, Spatial Hover, SZ Knowact, WaveGo LLC, Xtra and XAG. The commission tentatively says the restrictions are needed to protect national security and proposes a 30-day compliance window after a final determination is published in the Federal Register.
A second notice, issued on July 21, goes further by asking whether the FCC should prohibit the importation and marketing of foreign-produced drones and components that meet its proposed definition of “military grade”. That definition would cover heavier drones, models capable of dispensing chemicals, systems with thermal-imaging or LiDAR sensors, docking stations and platforms specially designed for defence use. It would also sweep in swarm-capable systems and drones designed to fly in coordinated formations, including some light-show applications. The FCC says those devices may present especially acute security concerns and proposes a 180-day compliance period after any final determination.
The commission says the proposals would not stop operators from continuing to use drones they already own. It is also asking for comment on economic effects and supply-chain disruption, reflecting the broader commercial consequences for manufacturers, importers and enterprise users. Comments on the July 17 notice are due August 31, 2026, while comments on the military-grade proposal are due September 2, 2026.
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