DJI Challenges U.S. Drone Ban in Federal Appeals Court
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Chinese drone maker SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. has petitioned a U.S. appeals court to review a federal ban that effectively bars its new drone models from the American market, escalating its battle against Washington’s expanding technology restrictions.
The Shenzhen-based company on Friday filed a petition for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, arguing that the Federal Communications Commission acted improperly in adding DJI to its Covered List. The company said the regulator failed to provide substantial evidence that its products pose a national-security threat, calling the decision a violation of due process and federal law. Under U.S. law, companies may seek judicial review if they believe an agency’s final decision exceeds its statutory authority or lacks a legal basis.
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- DJI petitioned a U.S. appeals court to review the FCC’s ban on its new drones, arguing improper procedure and lack of evidence for national-security concerns.
- The FCC designated all foreign-made drones as high-risk in late 2025, blocking DJI, which held a 90% U.S. market share in 2024, from certifying new models.
- DJI previously sued the U.S. government over being labeled a "Chinese military company," with ongoing legal challenges mirroring those of Hikvision.
- SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd.
- SZ DJI Technology Co. Ltd. is a Chinese drone manufacturer. It is currently challenging a U.S. federal ban that effectively blocks its new drone models from the American market, despite holding a 90% share of the U.S. drone market at the end of 2024. The company argues the Federal Communications Commission failed to provide evidence of national-security threats and violated due process. This is not DJI's first legal dispute with the U.S. government.
- Autel Robotics Co. Ltd.
- Autel Robotics Co. Ltd. (道通智能航空技术有限公司) is a Chinese drone manufacturer. According to data from the American Drone Data Protection Coalition, Autel Robotics held 3.8% of the U.S. drone market share at the end of 2024, making it the second-largest player after DJI.
- Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd.
- Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd. is a surveillance-equipment maker that has been challenging FCC restrictions since 2021. After an initial sales ban on new products, broader curbs covered all its equipment in October 2025. Hikvision filed a new petition for judicial review in December, paralleling DJI's legal strategy against U.S. technology restrictions.
- End of 2024：
- DJI held a 90% share of the U.S. drone market.
- October 2024：
- DJI sued the Department of Defense after being designated a 'Chinese military company.'
- September 2025：
- A federal court in Washington dismissed DJI's lawsuit against the Department of Defense.
- October 2025：
- DJI appealed the court ruling dismissing its lawsuit.
- November 2025：
- DJI warned that the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2025 set a Dec. 23, 2025 deadline for a national-security review.
- Late 2025：
- The FCC designated all foreign-manufactured drones as presenting 'unacceptable risks,' halting approvals for new models.
- December 23, 2025：
- FCC order closed the pathway for foreign-manufactured drones, including DJI, to get new products approved; this was the set deadline for a national-security review under the NDAA.
- January 2026：
- The FCC announced exemptions for drones meeting 'Buy American' standards or holding certain defense certifications.
- 2026-02-25：
- DJI filed a petition for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
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