DJI Appeals FCC Decision on Covered List Citing Major Flaws

DJI, the prominent Chinese drone manufacturer, has formally lodged an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. This move comes in direct response to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) recent decision to classify the company and its products on a so-called 'covered list,' a decision made on December 23, 2025.

According to DJI, this legal challenge is crucial not only for the protection of its own rights but also for the benefit of American consumers and agricultural users who rely on its products but have been adversely affected by the imposed restrictions.

In its petition, DJI highlighted that the FCC's decision contains 'serious procedural flaws and substantive defects.' The company contends that the classification to the 'covered list' was executed without adequate evidence suggesting that its products pose any threat to U.S. national security. DJI asserts that this could contravene principles of due process and potentially violate U.S. constitutional and federal laws.

As reported by Reuters, the FCC's December 22, 2025 announcement prohibits the imports of all new foreign-made drones and key components from companies like DJI and Autel, citing unacceptable risks to U.S. national security. This ruling also includes a ban on the approval of new drone models intended for import or sale within the United States.

This directive is rooted in the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 and the regulations enacted by the FCC on November 25, 2022, which effectively prevents listed foreign drone manufacturers from obtaining the necessary FCC authorization to sell new drone models in the U.S. market. Such authorization is critical for communication products and services to be legally marketed.

DJI expressed its disappointment regarding its placement on the FCC's covered list, stating that this decision not only limits consumer choice for American users but also undermines the foundations of an open and competitive marketplace.

The ban has elicited strong reactions from various sectors, particularly the U.S. consumer market and agricultural field. Following the FCC's announcement, many users, including filmmakers and agricultural technology professionals, have taken to social media to criticize the government for depriving them of vital tools that are integral to their livelihoods.

The Wall Street Journal reports that this prohibition has sparked considerable outcry from the nearly half a million certified commercial drone pilots in the U.S. Many are stockpiling DJI drones and parts, and have reached out to their Congressional representatives and the White House, expressing concerns that the ban threatens their ability to earn a living.

Greg Reverdiau, co-founder of the Pilot Institute in Prescott, Arizona, noted that users are not purchasing DJI drones due to their origin but because of the products' accessibility, affordability, and superior capabilities.

DJI maintains a commanding presence in the global civilian drone market, holding over 70 percent of the share worldwide. In the United States alone, the company's products are reported to represent between 70 to 90 percent of the overall consumer, commercial, and government drone markets, with over 80 percent of state and local law enforcement agencies utilizing DJI technology.

In a related context, DJI's action camera series has recently outperformed GoPro in the U.S. market, achieving a 66 percent share globally, while a 2025-launch panoramic camera quickly gained 43 percent of global market share.

Notably, DJI has filed multiple lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Defense concerning its designation on the Pentagon's list of 'Chinese Military Companies,' with actions taken in October 2024 and October 2025.