The FCC Just Grounded Your Holiday Gift Plans? Not Quite, But Read This

It is December 23, 2025. You have likely finished your shopping. The boxes are wrapped. The stockings are hung. And if you are the cool aunt, uncle, or parent, there might be a high-tech quadcopter sitting under the tree right now waiting to capture 4K footage of your family’s chaotic Christmas morning.

But if you’ve been watching the news wire today, you might be sweating. The FCC has officially dropped the hammer, adding foreign-made drones—specifically targeting heavy hitters like DJI—to its "Covered List." The headline sounds terrifying: "Unacceptable risks to national security."

I’ve been testing drones for a decade, from the clunky phantoms of the early days to the pocket-sized marvels we have now. I’ve seen regulatory panic before, but this is different. This isn't just about where you can fly; it’s about whether the device you just spent $800 on is allowed to be sold in the US at all.

Before you panic-return that drone or tear the wrapping paper off to check the manufacturing label, let’s take a breath. Here is the reality of what this ban means for your holiday gifting and the future of consumer flight.

The Fine Print: What "Banned" Actually Means

First, let’s cut through the legalese. The FCC’s order prevents the authorization of new equipment from specific foreign entities. It classifies them as a national security risk.

What does this mean for the DJI Mini 4 or the Air 3 you just bought? Technically, the FCC order focuses on future authorizations. It stops these companies from bringing new models to the US market. However, the "Covered List" designation is the nuclear option. It casts a shadow over the entire ecosystem.

If you have a drone in a box right now, it is not going to self-destruct on Christmas morning. The satellites won't lock you out immediately. The device will fly. The camera will record. The immediate risk to the consumer isn't that the drone stops working; the risk is support.

If these companies are squeezed out of the US market, what happens to the app updates required to fly? What happens to customer service? What happens when a battery dies in six months and you can’t import a replacement? That is the real headache for the consumer.

To Gift or Not to Gift?

This is the big question I’m getting in my inbox today. "I bought a DJI for my husband. Should I take it back?"

Here is my honest take: It depends on your tolerance for hassle.

If you are gifting this to a tech enthusiast who understands the geopolitical landscape and just wants the best camera in the sky right now, keep it. The hardware is still unrivaled. Nothing from the US domestic market currently touches DJI on price-to-performance ratio for consumers. If they get two years of flying out of it before software support gets wonky, they’ll probably feel they got their money's worth.

However, if you are gifting this to someone who wants a "buy it for life" product—or at least a "buy it for five years" product—you might want to reconsider. We are entering an era where foreign drones might become like Huawei phones in the US: excellent hardware that is practically impossible to use because the software ecosystem has been walled off.

If you want zero anxiety, you have to look elsewhere. And that is where things get tricky.

The American Alternatives (and Their "Tax")

For years, I’ve been saying that the US drone market is playing catch-up. Well, now they don't have to catch up on quality; they just have to exist.

If you decide to pivot away from foreign-made drones, be prepared for two things: paying more and getting slightly less polish.

Skydio has been the standard-bearer for US autonomy. Their obstacle avoidance is witchcraft—it’s incredible. But they have pivoted hard toward enterprise and military applications. Getting a consumer-grade Skydio under the tree isn't as easy (or cheap) as grabbing a Mini off the shelf at Best Buy.

There are other players, but they are niche. You have companies assembling drones in the US, but often using foreign parts, which makes the "compliance" conversation murky.

My advice? If you return the foreign drone, don't look for a 1:1 replacement, because it doesn't really exist at the same price point. Instead, pivot the gift entirely.

The Pivot: What to Buy Instead

If the news has scared you off the drone aisle, here is how you save Christmas without leaving the recipient empty-handed.

1. The "Safe" Action Camera Setup If the goal was aerial footage, maybe ground the pilot but keep the action. The GoPro Hero line remains the king of rugged video. It’s American-owned, totally safe from FCC bans, and frankly, people get more use out of a GoPro than a drone. Most drones get flown three times and then gather dust. A GoPro goes on every vacation.

2. The FPV "Toy" Route If the goal was the thrill of flight, ignore the $1,000 GPS camera drones and buy a "Tiny Whoop" or a strictly analog FPV (First Person View) kit. These are often hobbyist parts, not "smart devices" transmitting data back to a server. They are harder to fly, but they teach actual piloting skills and carry almost zero regulatory baggage because they are essentially flying circuit boards.

The Verdict

I’m skeptical of hype, and I’m skeptical of panic. This FCC ruling is a major shift, but it doesn't erase the technology overnight.

If you have a foreign-made drone under the tree, I wouldn't rush to the returns counter on Christmas Eve. Let them open it. Let them fly it. It’s an incredible piece of engineering. Just advise them to perhaps not invest heavily in a dozen extra batteries or accessories until we see how the software support plays out in 2026.

The skies are getting a little more complicated, but for now, you’re still cleared for takeoff. Merry Christmas, and fly safe.