Drone bans and tariffs: what changed in 2025 and 2026.

Published 2026-09-04. Updated when either rule changes.

The ban: the FCC Covered List

On December 22, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission added all foreign-produced drones and their critical components to its Covered List. New models cannot receive the equipment authorization every radio-equipped product needs to be sold in the United States. Aircraft already authorized stay legal to fly, and an FCC waiver extended in May 2026 keeps their firmware and security updates flowing through at least January 1, 2029. Federal funds have not been able to buy covered aircraft since the listing date. The Covered List guide has the full timeline.

The tariffs: Section 232

On August 13, 2026, the President signed a proclamation imposing tariffs on imported unmanned aircraft and components under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, following a Commerce Department finding that reliance on foreign drones is a national security threat. The duties took effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern on September 3, 2026.

Drones from the European Union, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Taiwan are capped at 15 percent, and United Kingdom goods at 10 percent. China gets no reduction, and the new duty layers on top of the Section 301 tariffs already applied to Chinese goods. Trade press reported the first price increases on Chinese consumer drones within days.

What the two rules do together

• New foreign models: off the market, whatever the tariff.
• Existing foreign fleets: legal to fly, updates through at least 2029, but spare parts and replacement units now carry the tariff.
• Thermal-equipped foreign aircraft: the 100 percent tier, which lands on exactly the aircraft public safety agencies bought most.
• US makers that import components: affected on the component side; the proclamation directs Commerce to set up temporary relief for companies building US drone manufacturing.

What people do when they read only the headline

Some agencies conclude their fleet is illegal and park it. It is not. Others conclude nothing changed because their aircraft still fly, and discover the replacement they budgeted for 2028 costs twice what it did. The accurate reading: keep flying what you own, and price the replacement now, on a compliant airframe, at a published number.

Where EnCor sits

EnCor designs and builds its aircraft in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and publishes every price. The Corvin complete kit is $2,999 and ships now. The Spector, a dock-capable multi-sensor aircraft, is in development at a published $34,999 bundle price. A tariff-driven quote from a reseller is a number that moved this month; a published price is one you can put in a budget line and read aloud.

Questions buyers ask

Are Chinese drones banned in the United States?

New models cannot receive FCC authorization since December 22, 2025, which keeps them off the US market. Aircraft already authorized and in use stay legal to fly, with updates guaranteed through at least January 1, 2029.

What are the new drone tariffs?

A Section 232 tariff on imported drones and components took effect on September 3, 2026: 100 percent on drones over 25 kilograms, on any drone with thermal imaging, on docking stations, and on listed components; 25 percent on smaller drones. It stacks on top of the existing Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods.

Do the tariffs apply to parts, not just aircraft?

Yes. Listed components are covered, and a further 25 percent on more components is scheduled for February 9, 2027. That is why US-based manufacturers that import parts are affected too.

Does this change EnCor's prices?

Not on this page. EnCor's prices are published and they are what you pay: the Corvin at $2,999 ships now, and the Spector bundle is published at $34,999. If a price changes, the pricing page changes with it.

What should an agency do now?

Inventory the fleet, note which aircraft are foreign-made, budget a compliant replacement for the tier you fly most, and buy on your own schedule rather than in the 2028 queue. The DJI replacement guide lays it out.