DJI ban: how the world’s biggest dronemaker is getting shoved out of the US | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAIHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessCreatorsMobilePolicySecurityTransportationReviewsExpandLaptopsPhonesHeadphonesTabletsSmart HomeSmartwatchesSpeakersDronesScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthEntertainmentExpandGamesTV ShowsMoviesAudioAIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee All ShoppingCarsExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersOther TransportationFeaturesVideosExpandYouTubeTikTokInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.DJI ban: how the world’s biggest dronemaker is getting shoved out of the USComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...NewsUpdated Nov 24, 2025, 12:45 PM UTCDJI ban: how the world’s biggest dronemaker is getting shoved out of the USby Sean HollisterLinkShareRSSDecember 23rd, 2025. That’s the day DJI will automatically be banned from the United States — unless Trump steps in.You’ll still be able to fly your existing DJI drones and film with existing Osmo cameras. But DJI will be barred from importing any new products into the US, and the FCC can retroactively ban imports of old DJI products too, after a waiting period. Not just drones, by the way — anything with a wireless radio.Why a ban? Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle claim to be worried the Chinese company is spying on us, even though the US government has never publicly provided evidence of that. Some worry China could compel the company to turn over drone data. (DJI has denied it shares any data with China, claims it stores all such data in the US and announced it would delete all US flight logs in September 2024.)Some also suggest DJI wouldn’t need to be compelled because DJI is allegedly “owned by the Chinese Communist Party,” though a US judge decided there wasn’t enough evidence to back that up in September 2025.Either way, lawmakers and Trump would clearly prefer that American drones “dominate” the skies rather than Chinese ones, and it’s true that DJI’s drones dominate today. No other company has been able to produce similarly a volume of high-quality, low-cost drones, to the point that some Republican lawmakers finally began to push back against a ban just weeks before the December 2025 deadline.They argue that DJI drones are important for farmers, energy companies, and rescue workers since no viable alternatives exist. Most of of DJI’s old competitors, like Skydio, have pivoted to enterprise and military — the new Insta360/Antigravity A1 is an unusual exception.Even without a ban, DJI was already on the rails. US customs has been blocking many of its drone imports for over a year, seemingly claiming that DJI was using forced labor to produce its drones. (DJI denies this.) Between import scrutiny, increased tariffs and the broader political situation, most of its products had disappeared from store shelves; it didn’t even bother to launch its flagship Mavic 4 Pro, Mini 5 Pro, and Neo 2 in the US.Instead, it appears DJI has been looking to sneak its products into the US under other brand names, like Xtra for cameras, or Skyrover for consumer drones, though the FCC will likely be able to crack down on those as well.At this point, the ban looks inevitable. To avoid it, “an appropriate national security agency” would need to audit DJI and decide it’s not a threat, but DJI says no agency has taken up the task just weeks before the deadline.But never say never. Remember the TikTok ban? Trump pressed pause on that one, despite it being signed into law, and those lawmakers seem to have no idea what might happen next. Trump has recently enjoyed shaking down tech companies including Intel, Nvidia, and Apple in exchange for political and financial wins, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him cut a deal with DJI as well.HighlightsThe FCC just gave itself the power to make a DJI drone ban stickXtra: the company that lets DJI sneak its popular cameras into the USDJI ‘remains committed to the US market’ as shelves go bare of dronesDJI is skipping the US with its most advanced drone yetDJI escapes US drone ban — but may get banned automatically unless Trump steps inNov 24Thomas RickerUS DJI ban is less than a month away.The company’s drones and cameras will be banned by default unless a national security audit is completed by December 23rd, which is highly unlikely. Sure Trump has extended the TikTok ban several times, but Don Jr’s monetary stake in miniature drones made by competitors suggests the end is nigh.What’s Going On with DJI in the U.S.?[DJI]Nov 13Andrew LiszewskiDJI’s Neo 2 selfie drone launches globally, but not in the USThe Neo 2 adds obstacle avoidance but still features prop guards as a backup. Image: DJIAfter launching exclusively in China last month, DJI is announcing wider global availability for its Neo 2 selfie drone, including Japan, Canada, the UK, and other countries where the company sells its drones. But as with the Mavic 4 Pro and 8K Osmo 360 camera, the Neo 2 won’t be available in the US. “DJI remains committed to the US market and serving our US-based customers. Like many global companies, we’ve had to adjust our market strategies as the local conditions and industry environment have evolved,” DJI spokesperson Daisy Kong told The Verge in an emailed statement.The Neo 2’s upgrades include a lidar-based obstacle avoidance system to detect and avoid crash hazards, an improved following speed of nearly 27mph, better wind resistance, and a new gesture control system allowing the drone’s distance and position to be adjusted without a remote. For pilots who prefer a controller, the Neo 2 has an optional antenna that can be installed, but it’s not needed for autonomous flying. Without the DJI Neo 2 Digital Transceiver attached, the drone weighs 151 grams and can fly for up to 19 minutes.Read Article >Oct 28Sean HollisterThe FCC just gave itself the power to make a DJI drone ban stickImage: DJIThis morning, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-0 to let itself retroactively ban gadgets and radio components that it previously approved for entry into the United States, if the company that makes them is deemed a national security risk.Officially, it’s a way to close loopholes and protect US networks from backdoors in Chinese telecom gear. But it could also give the Trump administration a new way to block Chinese consumer electronics that run on the open airwaves, starting with those from dronemaker DJI, even though the US government hasn’t publicly released evidence that they pose a threat.Read Article >Oct 27Sean HollisterDJI’s not-for-US drones are suddenly available on Amazon two months ahead of a ban.In late December, DJI may no longer be allowed to import new products into the US — it seems someone woke up and smelled a business opportunity in that! Products DJI decided not to bring to the US are suddenly on Amazon’s shelves, including the Mavic 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro.DJI Whiplash: from empty shelves to next-day delivery in the U.S.[DroneXl]Oct 24Sean HollisterDJI’s excellent Osmo Pocket 3 is over $200 off in its first sale since tariffsThe Xtra Muse and the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, both of which are on sale. Photo by Sean Hollister / The VergeI use a DJI Osmo Pocket 3 every single week to help film Today I’m Toying With, and I love it to pieces. The baby steadicam’s one of the most popular gadgets the company’s ever sold, because it’s so good at automatically capturing stabilized video of whatever I want, far better than a phone. What I don’t love is how DJI jacked up the price of this gadget twice this year — but a new sale brings it almost all the way back to pre-Trump tariff levels, and the clone version is now even cheaper.The DJI Pocket 3 is now a flat $575 at Amazon, $585 at B&H, and $598 at Walmart. It’s $599 at Adorama and Best Buy and at Target and Micro Center, all down from $799.99 post-tariffs. That’s $200–$225 off.Read Article >Oct 9Sean HollisterXtra: the company that lets DJI sneak its popular cameras into the USDJI Osmo Pocket 3, meet Xtra Muse. Photo by Sean Hollister / The VergeDJI’s Osmo Pocket 3, the baby steadicam, is one of the most popular gadgets the company’s ever made. But you’ll pay a hefty Trump tax to get one in the US: $799 after tariff-fueled back-to-back price hikes this spring.What if I told you DJI may have found a way to dodge those tariffs and pesky customs inspectors by offering a disguised version of the camera? What if I told you an entire new “US” company has quietly been erected to sell it on Amazon for far lower, even as low as $499 during Amazon’s big new sale?Read Article >Sep 26Sean HollisterPentagon can call DJI a Chinese Military Company, court rulesImage: DJILast October, dronemaker DJI sued the US Department of Defense, arguing it should no longer face the stigma of being listed as a “Chinese Military Company” and continue to risk business as a result.It just lost.Read Article >Sep 17Sean HollisterDJI’s Mini 5 Pro is the latest must-have drone you can’t have in the USImage: DJIIn 2023, DJI created a massive hit with the Osmo Pocket 3, a tiny steadicam with a far bigger one-inch-type sensor that dramatically improved the quality of video you could get with so tiny a gadget. Today, the company may be doing the same with its most popular portable line of drones — and with better battery life than ever.The DJI Mini 5 Pro is the company’s first compact drone with a 50-megapixel one-inch-type sensor, up from 1/1.3-inch in the Mini 4 Pro. At 15.19 x 11.11mm, it offers more than twice the sensor area, which could mean capturing more light; DJI claims 14 stops of dynamic range.Read Article >Aug 14Sean HollisterI flew Insta360’s Antigravity — it could change how drones are madeThe Antigravity A1. Photo by Sean Hollister / The VergeI know my way around a pair of joysticks — but I’d prefer to soar. I don’t want to think about filming while I’m flying. I’d rather explore.Now, camera maker Insta360 is launching its first drone, under a new drone company, to serve that exact demand. It’s called Antigravity, and in January 2026, it’ll ship a flying 360-degree camera which — unlike today’s drones — will always come bundled with goggles that put you inside its virtual cockpit.Read Article >Aug 6Sean HollisterTrump’s FAA wants to let companies (and you) fly drones beyond the line of sight.Did you know it’s generally illegal to fly drones farther than you can see with your naked eye? That may be about to change — but the 731-page proposed rule doesn’t seem like blanket deregulation. Looks like it’ll cut red tape for drone delivery and automated inspection, but humans will still need to be in charge, it’ll require permits, and the more populated an area you want to fly over, the stricter the requirements.Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Rule to Unleash American Drone Dominance as Part of His Innovation Agenda[transportation.gov]Jul 31Sean HollisterDJI won’t sell you an Osmo 360 in the US — but these retailers willImage: DJIWe knew DJI had a hard time importing its drones into the United States to the point that many shelves have gone bare, but it’s not just drones anymore. Today marks the first time it’s formally skipping the US with a non-drone product, its 8K Osmo 360 camera — and it’s not clear if it will ever officially stock it here, DJI confirms to The Verge.But the Osmo 360 does have a page on DJI’s US website for the item — and like the Mavic 4 Pro, which similarly skipped the US, two camera retailers are offering the Osmo 360 anyhow.Read Article >Jul 25Sean HollisterDJI couldn’t confirm or deny it disguised this drone to evade a US banImage: AirPhotographyDJI barely sells drones in the United States anymore. The shelves are bare; resellers are jacking up prices. It appears an unofficial ban at US customs is to blame. But on Amazon, you can now buy a drone that’s a dead ringer for the DJI Mini 4 Pro — the SkyRover X1 — for a reasonable $758. And that’s probably because DJI made it happen.There’s evidence suggesting so, and DJI was not able to deny the SkyRover X1 was a DJI product one day after we reached out.Read Article >Jun 24Sean HollisterDJI ‘remains committed to the US market’ as shelves go bare of dronesThe Mavic 4 Pro, folded, with a DJI RC2 controller. Image: DJIIs DJI exiting the US drone market? The company says no — but it would not explain to The Verge what has changed such that it can’t even keep a single drone on shelves.When I walked into my local Best Buy store today, June 24th, there were zero DJI drones available to purchase. There wasn’t even an empty spot for each drone to go. The entire DJI aisle had been swept clean of price tags, lockers, and products — save a handful of motorized gimbals, action cameras, a single lone RC controller, and an almost empty premium endcap spot where a flagship drone would normally go.Read Article >Jun 17Sean HollisterDJI is now six months away from a US ban — it wants you to ‘make your voice heard now.’It sounds ridiculous when I say it out loud: A Chinese company wants to be audited by the US government, and it’s asking you for help!But it’s true: Every new DJI product will be banned from import as soon as December, unless a gov agency positively confirms the dronemaker doesn’t pose a national security threat. “More than six months have passed, and that process still hasn’t begun as far as we can tell,” writes DJI.Jun 7Sean HollisterSure enough, Trump’s EO on ‘American Drone Dominance’ doesn’t contain a DJI ban.Almost every single thing in Friday’s executive order is about uplifting the drone industry and cutting through red tape (at the potential expense of safety), not about cracking down on the China-based leading manufacturer of drones. But as I noted last week, Trump doesn’t need to lift a finger. The ban on future DJI products happens automatically unless he steps in."Unleashing American Drone Dominance"[whitehouse.gov]May 30Sean HollisterIs Trump about to ban DJI drones — or help them avoid a ban?The Washington Post is reporting he’s expected to sign executive orders on drones next week, suggesting they could “end Chinese drone sales in the US.”That might be true, but the main action WaPo describes is “the executive order could direct the U.S. intelligence community to accelerate reviews of whether Chinese drone makers DJI and Autel are national security risks” — which is exactly what DJI would like the US to do. DJI products will be automatically banned unless an agency finishes that review. If there’s a review, there’s a chance.DJI explains why it won’t stop drones from flying over the White House — and what happens in a US banSean HollisterFeb 5May 22Sean HollisterDJI won’t explain why the Mavic 4 Pro went on sale in the USA.DJI said it wouldn’t, but it weirdly did anyhow. Now, the company won’t answer our questions about the launch at all. How did Adorama obtain a shipment of drones? Will DJI honor the preorders at B&H? Does any other retailer have a shipment? Will DJI honor its warranty on those sales?“We are unable to provide any additional information at this time,” DJI spokesperson Daisy Kong tells The Verge. Adorama’s pages now say “temporarily unavailable”; B&H has “suspended backorders” for now.DJI said Mavic 4 Pro wouldn’t launch in US but these stores are selling it anyhowSean HollisterMay 13May 13Sean HollisterDJI is skipping the US with its most advanced drone yetThe Mavic 4 Pro. Image: DJIToday, DJI is officially announcing the Mavic 4 Pro, which could be the most versatile drone it’s ever made. It’s the first with a 360-degree rotating gimbal for footage that tilts, rolls, and offers true vertical filming. It’s the first Mavic to offer 51 minutes of battery life, tied with the old Mini 3 and close to the longest flight times DJI has achieved. It’s the first with a built-in 100-megapixel camera, which can also record 6K/60fps HDR, as part of its triple-camera array.Another important distinction: it’s the first off-the-shelf DJI drone that won’t launch in the United States. Or at least, that was the plan — since we published this story, we’ve discovered that two US retailers are actually selling it anyhow starting at $2,699.Read Article >May 1Sean HollisterDJI’s back-to-back Osmo Pocket 3 price hikes take it from $519 to $799 in two monthsPhoto by Quentyn Kennemer / The VergeWe’ve called DJI’s baby steadicam “almost everything I wanted my iPhone camera to be” and one of our favorite gadgets of 2023, but it’s just become a harder product to recommend. In April, DJI quietly hiked the US price of the camera from $519 to $619. Now, DJI has hiked the price again, officially listing the camera at $799 in the US.That’s a $280 price hike in just two months, a 54 percent increase, and the company says it’s not a mistake. “The price you saw today is the current price,” DJI spokesperson Daisy Kong tells The Verge. We’re seeing that US retailers have already updated their listings.Read Article >Feb 5Sean HollisterDJI explains why it won’t stop drones from flying over the White House — and what happens in a US banPhoto by Vjeran Pavic / The VergeTime is not on DJI’s side.The world’s largest drone maker has less than a year to convince the Trump administration to save its products from an automatic US ban — at a time when drone fears have been stoked more than ever.Read Article >Jan 15Sean HollisterDJI claims its decision to let drones fly in dangerous areas is not politicalThe DJI Mini 2, an older DJI drone. Photo by Ryan LoughlinDJI will no longer stop drones from flying over airports, wildfires, and the White House, passing the buck to US law enforcement to prevent some of the worst forms of drone misuse. Some are suggesting the curious timing of that decision is political, coming just days before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, weeks after the New Jersey drone hysteria, and days after a plane fighting the LA wildfires got taken down by a DJI drone. Some even suggest this is China firing back at the United States for orchestrating the TikTok ban, which feels like a stretch to me.Either way, DJI is now reacting to the whole vibe with an official blog post that claims the timing is coincidental.Read Article >Jan 15Sean HollisterDJI will no longer stop drones from flying over airports, wildfires, and the White HousePhoto by Anna Barclay/Getty ImagesFor over a decade, you couldn’t easily fly a DJI drone over restricted areas in the United States. DJI’s software would automatically stop you from flying over runways, power plants, public emergencies like wildfires, and the White House.But confusingly, amidst the greatest US outpouring of drone distrust in years, and an incident of a DJI drone operator hindering LA wildfire fighting efforts, DJI is getting rid of its strong geofence. DJI will no longer enforce “No-Fly Zones,” instead only offering a dismissible warning — meaning only common sense, empathy, and the fear of getting caught by authorities will prevent people from flying where they shouldn’t.Read Article >Dec 19, 2024Sean HollisterDJI escapes US drone ban — but may get banned automatically unless Trump steps inImage: DJIThe US Senate has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual defense spending bill, and it may have major consequences for the world’s largest drone company — though not necessarily the immediate ban that China’s DJI feared.While it did not contain the full “Countering CCP Drones Act” provisions that would have quickly blocked imports of DJI products into the United States, it instead kicks off a one-year countdown until its products (and those of rival dronemaker Autel Robotics) are automatically banned.Read Article >Oct 19, 2024Sean HollisterDJI sues the US Department of Defense for labeling it a ‘Chinese Military Company’The DJI Mavic Pro 3 drone. Image: DJIDJI, the world’s largest drone company, is suing to avoid being seen as a tool of the Chinese government. On Friday, it sued the US Department of Defense to delete its name from a list of “Chinese Military Companies,” claiming it has no such relationship to Chinese authorities and has suffered unfairly as a result of that designation.Since DJI was added to that list in 2022, the company claims, it has “lost business deals, been stigmatized as a national security threat, and been banned from contracting with multiple federal government agencies,” and that its employees “now suffer frequent and pervasive stigmatization” and are “repeatedly harassed and insulted in public places.”Read Article >Oct 17, 2024Sean HollisterDJI says US customs is blocking its drone importsImage: DJIDJI tells The Verge that it currently cannot freely import all of its drones into the United States — and that its latest consumer drone, the Air 3S, won’t currently be sold at retail as a result.That’s not because the United States has suddenly banned DJI drones — rather, DJI believes the import restrictions are “part of a broader initiative by the Department of Homeland Security to scrutinize the origins of products, particularly in the case of Chinese-made drones,” according to DJI.Read Article >More StoriesMost PopularMost PopularThe 170 best Black Friday deals we’ve found so far — a ton of tech is over half offThe VPN panic is only getting startedWyze’s new security camera watches your yard from inside your homeYou can play classic Nintendo games on these custom SNES-inspired Nike sneakersWhy can’t ChatGPT tell time?The Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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DJI’s looming ban: how the world’s biggest dronemaker is getting shoved out of the US

DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, is facing an uncertain future in the United States, a situation rapidly unfolding as of November 23, 2025. The company’s automatic ban, slated to take effect unless President Trump intervenes, represents a culmination of escalating tensions surrounding national security concerns and trade relations, all while raising fundamental questions about the future of drone technology in the country. The core of the issue lies in accusations that DJI, largely due to its massive market share and low prices, poses a significant national security risk, potentially enabling foreign surveillance or hindering critical operations. However, the ban is not solely based on evidence of wrongdoing; rather, it’s predicated on a growing, almost reflexive, fear of Chinese companies operating within sensitive environments, fueled by political pressures and, perhaps, a degree of paranoia.

The immediate trigger for the ban stems from the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) through the Senate, which has initiated a one-year countdown for the automatic blockage of DJI’s products. This essentially creates a ticking clock. However, this isn't a simple matter of legislative action. The key component is the potential for a “national security audit,” overseen by an unspecified “appropriate national security agency.” This agency’s role would be to assess whether DJI poses a threat, effectively delaying the ban’s implementation – and creating the possibility, if the agency deems DJI harmless, that the ban will simply not come to fruition.

The immediate impact of the ban is already being felt. While existing DJI drones and cameras can continue to be operated, the company is barred from importing any new products into the US. This represents a significant setback for DJI, particularly concerning the latest advancements in drone technology. Furthermore, US customs has been actively blocking DJI’s imports for over a year, citing concerns about alleged forced labor in the company’s production processes, a claim DJI vehemently denies. This has effectively stifled the availability of DJI's products in the US, causing shelves to go bare.

Beyond the immediate impact of the ban, the situation is layered with complex factors. There's the established rivalry between DJI and other drone manufacturers, like Insta360 and Antigravity, who are offering alternatives and pushing the boundaries of drone innovation. DJI's market dominance—fueled by its competitive pricing and widespread adoption—has drawn considerable criticism from Republican lawmakers and supporters of an “American Drone Dominance” initiative.

However, the ban isn't entirely without dissent. Some argue that the restrictions are overly broad and could stifle innovation and hinder the use of drones for legitimate purposes, such as agricultural monitoring, wildfire management, and search and rescue operations. Concerns have been raised about the potential disruption to industries that rely heavily on DJI’s drones.

The landscape is further complicated by the actions of retailers and distributors eager to capitalize on the situation. As evidenced by the surprise appearance of DJI drones — including the Mavic 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro — on Amazon shelves, and the continued availability through retailers like Adorama and B&H, DJI appears to be circumventing the import restrictions. This suggests an attempt to keep its customer base intact, despite the legal hurdles.

Ultimately, the fate of DJI in the US hangs in the balance. The upcoming national security audit, the potential for presidential intervention, and the ongoing stream of legal challenges and counter-strategies create a dynamic and uncertain environment. The situation underscores broader challenges related to national security, trade relations, and the rapidly evolving landscape of drone technology—a future that will likely require careful consideration of both the benefits and the risks associated with this powerful new technology.