FCC Seeks Public Input on Covered List Drone Ban
The Federal Communications Commission is now accepting public comments regarding its decision to place foreign-made drones on its “Covered List”—a move that has effectively restricted companies like DJI from selling new products in the U.S.
The development comes months after the controversial decision sparked backlash across the drone community, particularly among professionals and businesses that rely heavily on DJI’s ecosystem.
A Quick Recap of What Happened
Late last year, the FCC added DJI and other foreign drone manufacturers to its Covered List after a required security audit process failed to materialize before the deadline.
As a result, new DJI products can’t be legally marketed or sold in the U.S. without FCC authorization. Since then, DJI has notably skipped U.S. releases for several major products, including drones and camera gear.
DJI has also filed a lawsuit challenging the FCC’s decision, arguing that the move is both unfair and harmful to its business and users.
“The listing… causes great harm to DJI and its customers,” the company said, adding that it restricts access to tools used by “small business owners, public safety officers, farmers, and creators.”
Public Input Could Influence the Outcome
Now, in what many see as a rare opportunity to influence policy, the FCC is opening the floor to public feedback as part of its review process.
The deadline to submit comments is May 11, and both DJI and the Drone Advocacy Alliance are encouraging users to participate.
According to the Alliance:
“You don’t have to be a drone expert… You simply need to share your story—how drones impact your work, business, or community.”
Why This Matters
DJI has skipped the US market release of several products including the Avata 360.
For many users in the U.S., the ban has already had real-world consequences.
DJI has held back several recent releases, including flagship drones and even non-drone products like the Osmo Pocket 4 and Mic Mini 2. For content creators, filmmakers, and commercial operators, that means fewer options—especially in segments where DJI has traditionally dominated.
While this doesn’t guarantee any immediate changes, the FCC’s willingness to accept public comments is being seen as a positive step. It gives users a chance to directly communicate how these restrictions affect their work, safety operations, and livelihoods.
How to Submit a Comment
Those interested can submit their comments through the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System. When prompted, enter the proceeding number 26-22 and select: “In the Matter of SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd.”
From there, it’s just a matter of filling out your details and sharing your experience.
Additional guidance is also available through the Drone Advocacy Alliance website.
For now, this is one of the few avenues available for U.S.-based drone users to have their voices heard. Whether it leads to policy changes remains to be seen—but if you’ve been affected, this might be worth a few minutes of your time.