How a rushed DJI drone ban could disrupt American businesses

A quick DJI drone ban in the United States would cause big problems for important jobs. It would also make public safety work harder all over the country. More than 90% of U.S. public safety groups, like police and big city teams, use DJI for good drones. Experts say a fast ban could stop new DJI models. It could also make prices go up and hurt precision agriculture. Leaders need to look at the facts and be fair as they think about safety and money issues.

Key Takeaways

• DJI drones are very important in the U.S. They help with public safety, farming, and many businesses. They help support more than 450,000 jobs. They also help bring in $116 billion every year.

• If DJI drones are banned too quickly, there could be problems. Police, firefighters, farmers, and small companies may have to wait longer for drones. They might pay more money. Their equipment may not work as well.

• There are drones made in the U.S. But they usually cost more. They can take longer to get. They may not have all the things DJI drones have.

• It is already harder to buy DJI drones because of customs delays and new rules. This makes it tough for emergency workers and businesses to do their jobs.

• Experts say we need a fair review process. It should use facts. This will help keep people safe. It will protect jobs. It will give time to find better drone choices.

DJI Drone Ban in the United States

Market Share

DJI is the top drone company in the U.S. It controls about 80% of the market here and 70% worldwide. DJI is used by people at home, at work, and in big industries. Other companies like Yuneec, Autel Robotics, and Parrot are much smaller. They do not have as many drones or as much technology as DJI. Even with tariffs and import rules, most American businesses still pick DJI.

DJI is very important to many jobs in the U.S. If there is a dji drone ban in the united states, lots of jobs will be affected. Farmers, builders, and people who check bridges use DJI drones. These drones have special features and work well. The American Spray Drone Coalition says DJI makes almost 90% of spray drones for farms. If the dji drone ban in the united states happens, most spray drones could go away. This would make big problems for farmers.

The table below shows the timeline and legal steps for the dji drone ban in the united states:

Date/Period	Event/Action	Legal Status/Impact
2017	DHS and DoD raise concerns about DJI surveillance and data security	Initial federal concerns begin
2021–2023	Several states enact bans/restrictions on DJI for government use	State/local bans affect government/public safety agencies
June 2024	House includes Countering CCP Drones Act in NDAA	Proposed federal legislation targeting DJI drones
July 2024	Senate releases NDAA version without Countering CCP Drones Act	Legislative negotiation ongoing
September 9, 2024	House passes Countering CCP Drones Act	Pending Senate debate; would ban DJI drones for all users if enacted
December 2024	NDAA signed into law with audit trigger	Requires formal security audit of DJI by Dec 23, 2025; automatic federal ban if audit not completed
Early 2025	Customs delays and FCC suspends new DJI equipment authorizations	DJI drones scarce in U.S. stores due to regulatory and customs actions
July 2025	No federal audit scheduled yet; DJI calls for audit	Federal ban could automatically take effect after Dec 23, 2025 if audit not done

Public Safety Use

Many public safety groups in the U.S. use DJI drones every day. They use them to see from above, find missing people, and help in emergencies. Over 90% of first responders and safety teams pick DJI. They do this because DJI drones are not too expensive and have good features. If the dji drone ban in the united states happens, these groups must find new drones. The new drones may not work as well or be as reliable.

Many first responders are worried about a fast dji drone ban in the united states. They think it could slow down their work in emergencies. Safety teams need DJI drones to act fast and get good information during disasters. Without DJI, they might pay more and take longer to help. The dji drone ban would also make it harder to check bridges and make maps. These jobs are important for keeping people safe.

The dji drone ban in the united states is not just for government groups. It also affects businesses and people who use drones for fun. Lawmakers are still talking about the risks of drones made in China. As of July 2025, there is no federal ban yet. But it is already harder to buy DJI drones because of customs and FCC rules. The debate shows that DJI is a big part of safety and business in America.

Economic Impact

Jobs and Businesses

DJI drones help the American economy in a big way. Using DJI drones brings over $116 billion each year to the U.S. This helps support more than 450,000 jobs in many fields. People in farming, utilities, building, and services use DJI every day. The DJI drone network has grown very fast. From 2023 to 2024, DJI’s U.S. partners grew by 200%. This growth made thousands of new jobs, mostly for spray drone work. Around the world, over 400,000 spray drone operators use DJI. Many people also work in training, fixing, and selling DJI drones.

“If DJI drones are banned, my business will close,” said a small drone service owner in Texas. “We cannot pay more or learn new systems. DJI is the main tool for our work.”

A new survey showed two out of three U.S. drone service companies would close if DJI was banned. These companies include real estate photographers, crop helpers, and people who check bridges. Farmers use DJI drones to watch crops and get better harvests. Police and fire teams use DJI drones for rescue, maps, and disaster help. If DJI leaves the market, these jobs would be hurt. Many small businesses might not survive.

DJI Drone Ecosystem at a Glance

• Over 450,000 U.S. jobs depend on DJI

• $116 billion in yearly economic activity from DJI drones

• U.S. partner network grew 200% from 2023 to 2024

• Thousands of new spray drone jobs created

Financial Burden

Switching from DJI drones costs American businesses and agencies a lot. Most U.S.-made drones cost three to four times more than DJI. For example, Austin Police would need $120,000 to replace their DJI drones. In North Carolina, drone costs went from $2,600 to over $15,000 each after switching. Some top drones like Freefly Astro cost under $30,000. The Parrot Anafi AI starts at $4,500. The Parrot Anafi USA, made in the U.S., costs about $7,000. Cheaper drones under $1,000 are rare and not as good.

Entity/Drone Model	Estimated Cost (USD)	Notes
Austin Police Department	$120,000	Cost to replace all DJI drones
US-made alternatives (general)	3 to 4 times DJI cost	More expensive than DJI drones
North Carolina agencies	From $2,600 to over $15,000	Price per drone went up after switching
Freefly Astro (enterprise)	Under $30,000	U.S.-made, good for mapping
Parrot Anafi AI (base model)	$4,500	Small, easy to carry, uses AI
Parrot Anafi USA (thermal)	About $7,000	Made in the U.S., has thermal camera
Consumer alternatives	Under $1,000	Few choices, usually not as strong

Farmers will have hard choices if DJI drones are banned. Higher prices may make them use drones less or stop using them. This would lower how much they grow and hurt profits. Small drone companies do not make much money. Higher prices would cut profits or make them raise prices. They could lose customers or close down. Police and fire teams also feel the pressure. Their budgets are tight. Higher costs mean fewer drones and weaker emergency help.

The Grand Rapids Police bought 15 DJI drones because they were the best deal. A federal ban would make them spend more on new drones, software, and training. This would stretch their budget and take money from other needs.

DJI drones made it cheaper to start new businesses. A ban would make it cost more to start a company. This would make it harder for new businesses to begin. The cost of losing DJI would spread through the economy. It would hurt jobs, work, and public safety.

Alternatives to DJI

Cost and Performance

There are more U.S.-made drones now, but they still have problems compared to dji. Many groups look at price, how fast they can get drones, and if they work well before changing brands. The table below lists some top U.S. drone models and what they can do:

Drone Model	Key Features & Use Cases	Battery Life	Payload/Camera Options	Security & Compliance
Skydio X10	AI-driven obstacle avoidance, autonomous navigation, widely used by public safety	Up to 40 minutes	Multiple sensors: 48MP RGB, thermal, zoom cameras	NDAA-compliant, secure data encryption
Freefly Astro	Modular design, open-source flight control, professional-grade Sony cameras	28 minutes	Customizable specs, foldable design	U.S.-made, reliable batteries
Freefly Alta X	Heavy-lift drone for cinematography, LiDAR, industrial inspections	Up to 50 minutes	Compatible with RED, ARRI cameras, LiDAR, multi-sensor	NDAA-compliant, modular design
SOTEN Drone	Modular payloads for industrial inspections, security, mapping	25-30 minutes	Swappable RGB, infrared, multispectral payloads	NDAA-compliant, secure data encryption

Most U.S. drones cost a lot more than dji. Some groups say switching to U.S. drones can make costs twice as high or more. It can take up to six months to get new drones. Many U.S. drones do not have as good cameras, fly as far, or have smart features like dji. Some groups had problems with propellers breaking and not enough sensor choices. These issues can cause lost data and make missions more risky.

“We tried a U.S.-made drone, but it crashed during a test flight. The replacement took months to arrive,” said a fire chief in California.

Public Safety Concerns

Many first responders use dji because they are fast and work well in emergencies. When they switch to other brands, the drones often do not work as well. Teams can be slower because they need new training and software. Some places with dji bans have slower response times and less good data. These changes make people worry about safety and if missions will work.

Money is also a problem for many groups. Higher prices mean they can buy fewer drones and cover less area. Some have to use helicopters instead, which costs more and is more dangerous. New rules and different state laws make things harder. Groups worry about following the rules and keeping up with changes.

• Thousands of groups use dji for search and rescue, disaster help, and making maps.

• No U.S. drone has the same price, features, and trust as dji.

• Waiting for new drones can make public safety worse.

• Groups say they miss chances to collect data and respond fast in emergencies.

More U.S.-made drones are coming, but they cannot fully take dji’s place yet. Leaders need to think about these problems before making big changes.

Supply Chain Issues

Customs Delays

Customs delays are now a big problem for U.S. businesses that use DJI drones. U.S. Customs and Border Protection checks and holds more drone shipments than before. They focus on DJI drones because of worries about forced labor and national security. Many shipments wait at customs for a long time, sometimes weeks. Some people say their replacement drones were held for over ten days. They did not get updates or refunds. These delays cost money and stop important work.

There are several reasons for these customs delays:

• The drone supply chain needs Chinese parts.

• U.S. tariffs can be as high as 170%. This makes costs go up and slows imports.

• Export controls from both the U.S. and China make it hard to get parts.

• More rules and security worries mean more import stops and customs checks.

The table below shows how customs rules have changed the drone market:

Aspect	Before Heightened Customs Enforcement	After Heightened Customs Enforcement
Import Tariff Rate	0–25%	170%
Import Risk Level	Low	High – frequent inspections
Model Availability (DJI)	High	Limited or delayed
Restock Speed	Fast	Slow, with backlogs
Procurement Cost	Stable	Much higher
Compliance Burden	Minimal	Heavy, with more documentation
Decision Confidence	High	Low, with more uncertainty

Product Availability

It is now much harder to find DJI drones in the U.S. Big stores like Amazon and B&H often run out or have long waits for DJI drones. DJI’s own shipping to the U.S. is slower because of customs and new rules. Many businesses and safety teams cannot get the drones or parts they need. This shortage hurts both workers and people who fly drones for fun.

Most people in surveys say their drone programs are worse because of these import rules. Many give the problem a score of 8 to 10 out of 10. Some people now buy other brands like Autel or Skydio to keep working. But different state and federal bans make buying drones confusing and risky.

Other drone brands like Parrot, Autel Robotics, and Yuneec are still easy to get in the U.S. They do not have the same customs problems as DJI. Still, many people like DJI best for its features and how well it works. The current bans and customs delays make buying drones hard and expensive for U.S. businesses.

Risks of a Rushed Review

Lack of Due Process

A government security review should be clear and fair. Lawmakers want the DJI drone review done by December 23, 2025. If no agency finishes by then, DJI drones could be banned. Some lawmakers want the review to take only 30 days instead of a year. Experts and DJI say this is not enough time for a good review. They think rushing could cause mistakes and unfair choices.

DJI and others are worried about how open the review is. The law does not say which agency will do the review. This makes things confusing for everyone. DJI wants a tech-focused agency to lead the review. They also want a way to reply to the review. DJI points out it checks its products often and has a bug bounty program. This shows they want to be open and honest.

A rushed review could leave police, small businesses, and other groups without needed drones. Police say U.S.-made drones cost more and are harder to get. This could make them have fewer drones. It would be harder for them to help in emergencies.

Long-Term Effects

Rushing the review can cause more problems later. A sudden ban could make people lose money and cancel deals. Drones could lose value if they cannot be sold. Many workers may need new training and new papers to use other drones. New rules could bring more legal fights.

• The drone industry may stop making new things if the review is not fair.

• Not knowing what will happen and higher prices could slow new businesses.

• Without cheap drones, many groups may not work as well.

Some experts think the ban could help U.S. companies make better drones. New brands like Skydio and Autel Robotics might get more buyers. The market could get safer and stronger in the future. But losing DJI drones right now is a big problem for many people who use them every day.

A fair and open review is very important. It keeps the country safe and helps businesses grow and improve.

Need for Evidence-Based Process

Industry Calls

Industry leaders want a fair and open review for any DJI drone ban. They say choices should use facts, not just where drones are made. DJI works with U.S. officials and agrees reviews should focus on tech and safety. The company shows proof from outside audits, like Booz Allen Hamilton, that their drones are safe and protect privacy. DJI also lets users control their data. Local Data Mode lets drones fly without using the internet.

DJI and other groups say sudden bans could hurt small businesses and emergency teams. They ask lawmakers to make sure reviews are fair and look at all facts. The U.S. Commerce Department and House Republicans started checks and asked for security reviews. These steps show many people want a full review, not a fast one.

Policy Recommendations

Policymakers can do a few things to keep the country safe and help the economy:

• Make clear rules, like FAA Remote ID and Section 2209, to protect key places and let businesses use drones.

• Grow counter-UAS programs so more police can try new safety tools.

• Start a “verified operator” program to find trusted drone users.

• Move faster on FAA rules for flying drones out of sight to help businesses grow.

• Help with training and education to build a skilled drone workforce.

The U.S. government should see drones as important for safety and business. Tariffs and subsidies can help U.S. companies, but rules should help new ideas. Past wins in drone policy show that flexible rules and teamwork work best. A review that uses facts will keep the country safe and help American jobs.

A quick DJI drone ban could hurt American businesses, safety, and the economy. Experts warn about many problems. Many safety groups could lose almost all their drones. This would make it harder to help in emergencies. States like Florida would spend a lot to buy new drones. Farmers and small companies might lose money or close down. The drone industry gives jobs to over 450,000 people and brings in $116 billion each year.

To make things fair, experts suggest some steps:

1. Make drone use open and report on it often.

2. Set simple rules for airspace and saving data.

3. Do not ban all drones at once. Take time to check facts and review.

Leaders should keep the country safe and protect jobs. They need to pick careful and open ways to solve these problems.

FAQ

What industries rely most on DJI drones in the U.S.?

Farmers, builders, safety teams, and real estate workers use DJI drones every day. These groups need DJI for making maps, checking things, watching crops, and helping in emergencies.

How would a DJI drone ban affect public safety?

A ban would make police, fire, and rescue teams use other drones. These new drones might cost more or not work as well. Many teams could lose important flying tools for finding people and helping in disasters.

Are U.S.-made drones a direct replacement for DJI models?

Most U.S.-made drones cost more and do not have as many features as DJI. Many people say they wait longer to get them and have fewer camera or sensor choices.

What steps can businesses take if a ban happens?

Businesses can look at other drone brands and plan for higher costs. They should teach workers how to use new drones. They also need to watch for rule changes and ask for help from drone groups.

Why do experts call for an evidence-based review process?

Experts want a fair and open review to keep the country safe and help the economy. If leaders rush, it could hurt jobs, safety, and new ideas without good proof of danger.