TECH

Beijing to Impose Sweeping Drone Sales Ban From May 1

Published: Apr. 29, 2026 12:58 a.m. GMT+8

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A DJI drone model is displayed in a shopping mall in Beijing on April 28, 2026. Photo: VCG

Beijing will impose a blanket ban on the sale and rental of drones starting May 1, becoming the first city in China to introduce such sweeping restrictions.

The new rules prohibit drones and their core components from being brought into the city and strictly limit where they can be stored. Existing owners will have three months to complete real-name registration with local police.

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Beijing bans drone sales, rentals, imports from May 1; first in China, with storage limits (≤3 drones/10 components inside Sixth Ring Road).
Existing owners have 3 months for police registration; city fully restricted airspace since August 2025.
Contrasts Shanghai (46% open), Shenzhen (75% by 2026); DJI sales continue until deadline, then complies.

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Who’s Who

DJI: DJI, the industry leader, told Caixin its sales and services in Beijing will continue normally until the May 1 ban. It will then adjust distribution channels to comply and work with authorities for safe operations, countering rumors of early product removal.

AI generated, for reference only