Setback
The FCC, the US communications regulator, added foreign-made drones to its Covered List, blocking new US approvals for DJI, Autel and XAG models.
A delay, pause or setback
What the source says
“The FCC added foreign-made drones to its Covered List three days later, on December 22.”
What it means
Farm spraying drones, from DJI, Hylio, XAG, is at stage 5 of 5 on our ladder: regulator-cleared or mass market. A setback stays on the record next to the milestones; the stage moves down only when the rules say so.
Human help: People working remotely can steer it or take over.
More on Farm spraying drones
- The American Spray Drone Coalition said US sales of new farm spray drones fell 59%, from 8,950 in 2024 to about 3,700 in 2025, blaming a customs hold on DJI shipments.
- The American Spray Drone Coalition, a distributors' group, said US sales of new farm spray drones fell 59% in 2025, to about 3,711, after US customs held DJI shipments.
- China's commerce ministry published rules requiring export licenses from November 18 for self-flying spray drones carrying over 80 liters; DroneXL noted DJI's Agras T100 sprayer has a 100-liter tank.
- DJI launched its Agras T55 and T100 spraying drones worldwide. The T55 carries 50 liters (13.2 gallons) of spray.
- DJI appealed the FCC decision in the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
- DJI makes roughly 80 percent of the farm spraying drones sold in the US.