The US Federal Communications Commission will block new equipment authorisations for drones that contain key electronic components made by DJI or Autel from 13 October 2026, as reported by DroneXL. The rule closes a route that could have let US-assembled drones use DJI parts inside.
The change comes in the FCC’s Third Report and Order (FCC 26-50) in ET Docket No. 21-232, which was published in the Federal Register on 11 September.
What the rule covers
The order applies to what the FCC calls logic-bearing components from companies on its Covered List, which includes DJI and Autel. According to DroneXL’s reading of the order, that means modules, integrated circuits or parts that generate timing signals above 9,000 cycles per second using digital techniques, or use radio frequency energy to compute, store or move data.
In practice, that takes in flight controllers, radio modules, camera boards and gimbal controllers. Passive parts such as housings, fasteners, resistors, wiring and batteries are not included.
Who is affected
The rule targets US manufacturers seeking FCC authorisation for new drones. Equipment that has already been authorised is not affected, and applications filed before 13 October are grandfathered, although DroneXL notes that protection is lost if the components are changed.
There are no new restrictions on owning or flying drones that have already been sold. DroneXL also points out that the rule applies only to named companies on the Covered List, not to all foreign-made components.
What it means for UK photographers
This is a US regulatory change and has no direct effect on buying or flying DJI drones in the UK. However, it is another sign of how difficult the US market has become for DJI, and it limits the options for US companies hoping to build drones on DJI hardware. DroneXL reports no response from DJI to the rule.
More detail is available in the FCC’s Covered List FAQs for drones and drone components.
FCC rule key points
- Order: FCC 26-50, Third Report and Order, ET Docket No. 21-232
- Published in the Federal Register: 11 September 2026
- Effective: 13 October 2026
- Applies to logic-bearing components from Covered List companies, including DJI and Autel
- Covers flight controllers, radio modules, camera boards and gimbal controllers
- Already-authorised equipment unaffected; pending applications grandfathered
Availability
The rule takes effect in the US on 13 October 2026. Our thanks to DroneXL for first reporting the detail.
