FCC Expands Toy-Drone Exemption, But Camera Drones Remain Barred
The FCC expanded exemptions for certain foreign-made drones by creating a narrowly defined pathway for “toy drones” to enter the US, limited to devices weighing 150 g or less, within 100 m line of sight, with no network connectivity, no cameras, and no more than 10 minutes of flight. This does not reopen the door for camera-equipped foreign drones (e.g., DJI, Autel), which remain restricted under December 2025 rules, a stance the agency justifies via a Pentagon national-security assessment that toy devices pose far lower risk. While other exemptions for select platforms have been granted earlier this year, the broader market for consumer and professional camera drones remains closed, leaving many pilots with limited options and continuing legal challenges from some manufacturers.
