FCC Covered List Expansions: Foreign Drones And Drone Critical Components Are Now Restricted

Bottom Line Up Front

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned all new foreign-made drones and components over concerns the equipment poses "an unacceptable risk" to national security. Following the December 21, 2025, National Security Determination (NSD), the FCC announced a major expansion of its Covered List in the December 22, 2025, Public Notice (the Public Notice). The expansion added uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS),¹ foreign-produced UAS critical components,² and certain communications and video surveillance equipment identified in section 1709 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025³ (collectively, the restricted UAS items) to the Covered List. This move effectively blocks restricted UAS items from receiving FCC authorizations, which means — absent a narrow exception — they cannot be imported into the US for use or sale.