FCC Comment Period Closes on Proposal to Restrict Sales of Previously Authorized Thermal and LiDAR Drones

The public comment window on the FCC's August 3 public notice closed on September 2. No order has been issued. Here is a factual summary for buyers deciding whether to order now.

What the FCC proposed

On August 3, 2026 the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology issued a public notice seeking comment on whether to prohibit the import, marketing or sale of certain foreign-made UAS and critical components already on the Covered List that the bureaus characterise as "military-grade". Press reports describe the categories under consideration as aircraft with thermal imaging, aircraft or components with LiDAR, and aircraft with a take-off weight above 55 lb.

The Covered List action of December 23, 2025 was prospective: it blocked new equipment authorizations but left previously authorized models legal to sell. The new proposal asks whether the Commission should use its discretion to reach some of those previously authorized models.

Which DJI products could be affected

• Thermal: DJI Matrice 4T, DJI Matrice 30T, Mavic 3T and Zenmuse H-series thermal payloads.
• LiDAR (including small obstacle-sensing modules): DJI Air 3S, DJI Mini 5 Pro, DJI Avata 360, DJI Neo 2, DJI Matrice 400, Zenmuse L2.
• Over 55 lb: AGRAS and FlyCart aircraft.

Nothing on that list has changed status. As of publication all of these models remain FCC-authorized and legal to import, sell, buy and fly in the United States.

What happens next

The bureaus review the record and may issue an order under delegated authority, without a full Commission vote. There is no statutory deadline. DJI has stated it would challenge a final order in federal court, and the docket drew a very large number of comments, the overwhelming majority opposed. Any order would govern import, marketing and sale; the FCC has repeatedly said existing owners may continue to use their devices.

ASI Computer's policy for US orders

1. We ship to US addresses only models that are lawful to sell on the day the order is placed.
2. If a model's status changes between quote and payment, we tell you before charging and offer an authorized alternative or a full refund.
3. Enterprise buyers with grant deadlines should note that an order does not change the status of aircraft already delivered and in use.
4. Canadian customers are unaffected; all models remain available for delivery within Canada.

We will update this article and our FCC status guide when the bureaus act. Questions about a specific model or a pending purchase: WhatsApp us or email sales@asipartner.us.

Products in this article

25% off MSRP

DJI Matrice 4T

Thermal+Visual+Radiometric+IR · IP55 · 45Min · O3

Plus Combo$7,270 $5,452.50

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40% off MSRP

DJI Matrice 30T

Thermal+Visual+Radiometric · IP55 · 41Min · OcuSync 3E · 4G

Worry-Free Basic Combo (DJI RC PLUS)$9,333 $5,599.80

Worry-Free Plus Combo (DJI RC PLUS)$9,900 $5,940

Released 2022 View details →

18% off MSRP

DJI Air 3S

1" Main+1/1.3" Tele · LiDAR · 4K/120fps Night · 45Min · O4 · 780g

(DJI RC-N3)$926 $759.32

Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N3)$1,315 $1,078.30

+1 more bundlessee details

Released 2025 View details →

18% off MSRP

DJI Mini 5 Pro

1" CMOS 48MP · 4K/120fps D-Log M · 35Min · O3 · 249g · ActiveTrack 7.0

(DJI RC-N3)$769 $630.58

Fly More Combo (DJI RC-N3)$929 $761.78

+2 more bundlessee details

Released 2025 View details →