By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON, March 18 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced on Wednesday that it is exempting imports of four foreign-made drones and critical components from a comprehensive import ban enacted in December.
This FCC decision follows a Pentagon determination that four drone models and their components—SiFly Aviation Q12, Mobilicom SkyHopper Series, ScoutDI Scout 137, and Verge X1—do not pose national security risks.
In January, the FCC had already exempted imports of some new foreign-made drone models and critical components through the end of 2026.
SiFly, a California-based company, stated it petitioned the FCC for its Q12 model to qualify, demonstrating that it does not present a national security risk and has an onshoring plan for covered components.
None of the four approved models are from Chinese companies.
This move marks an escalation in Washington's efforts to restrict Chinese-made drones in recent years. Chinese drone manufacturer DJI accounts for more than half of all U.S. commercial drone sales.
Foreign drone companies not included on the exempt list will be unable to obtain the necessary FCC approval to sell new drone models or critical components in the U.S., though they can continue selling existing versions, and Americans may continue to buy and use them.
Last month, DJI filed a lawsuit challenging the FCC's decision to ban imports of all its new models and critical components.
The ban also covers products from Autel, another China-based drone manufacturer.
DJI, the world's largest drone maker, challenged the FCC decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, arguing that the agency "carelessly restricts DJI’s business in the U.S. and summarily denies U.S. customers access to its latest technology."
FCC Chair Brendan Carr told Reuters last week that the agency is "trying to strike a balance here of national security and mitigating those risks by making clear there's an end date for these foreign drones, which is these models are done."
Carr added that the agency also aims to avoid disrupting hobbyists and other users. "We think the current approach strikes the right balance between national security and not needlessly disrupting consumer use," he said.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Diane Craft)
