FCC says some Chinese drones are suddenly safe again

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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has expanded the list of aircraft exempt from its sweeping foreign-drone import restrictions, marking another sign that federal regulators are willing to make targeted exceptions even as the broader crackdown remains in place.

The latest move creates a new pathway for certain foreign-made toy drones to enter the US market. But while the decision adds to a growing list of FCC-approved exemptions, it stops well short of reopening the door for the camera-equipped drones from DJI and Autel that most recreational and commercial pilots actually fly.

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In a June 16 order, the FCC announced that certain foreign-made “toy drones” will no longer be treated as national security risks and can once again receive the approvals needed to enter the US market. The move creates a narrow exception to the agency’s December 2025 decision that effectively blocked new foreign-made drones and critical drone components from obtaining FCC authorization. The catch? The FCC’s definition of a toy drone is extraordinarily limited.