Any News On The DJI ‘Ban’ in the US?

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Rideit

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Yes, we all know it’s a rumor filled topic, and has been discussed at length. But as of today (Dec. 23rd, ‘25), is there any actual news on this? Actual policy statements, proposals, etc?
Specific language that might clarify inclusion or exclusion of Avinox vs. DJI, MTB products vs. Drone tech, etc?
Discussion among U.S. dealers and reps?
THANKS IN ADVANCE!
 
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Thanks for providing that. We should share whatever tidbits we come across here in order to get a clear picture.
I guess it’s good that there was no mention of Avinox or bike tech, unless this development causes DJI to pull out of the US market entirely.
 
Doesn’t seem to impact anything other than foreign manufactured drones. It’ll be interesting to see who starts offering US-made drones first, DJI or some other player. Time will tell.
 
Rideit said:
Yes, we all know it’s a rumor filled topic, and has been discussed at length. But as of today (Dec. 23rd, ‘25), is there any actual news on this? Actual policy statements, proposals, etc?
Specific language that might clarify inclusion or exclusion of Avinox vs. DJI, MTB products vs. Drone tech, etc?
Discussion among U.S. dealers and reps?
THANKS IN ADVANCE!
Click to expand...
Looks like the FCC only targeted Foreign Unmaned Aircraft Systems. Not specifically the company DJI. There is no mention of DJI in the Covered List. So other DJI products in the US that are not Unmaned Aircraft, should be fine.

Interesting that all Pre-purchased foreign Drones are free to fly as much as you want. You'd think if there was an actual national security issue. You'd ground them as, if the surveillance data was going back to a foreign country. It's going to continue for many more years.

1766556315063.png


 
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Astro66 said:
Looks like the FCC only targeted Foreign Unmaned Aircraft Systems. Not specifically the company DJI. There is no mention of DJI in the Covered List. So other DJI products in the US that are not Unmaned Aircraft, should be fine.
Click to expand...

There is specific mention of DJI (and Autel) if you go to Section 1709 of the actual Act.

This is an ongoing process, somebody in the US DoW has 12 months to assess whether DJI is a threat to National Security, and the Act also seems to cover the emergence of other threats as well, as you’d expect.

IMG_1300.jpeg


I’d be very surprised if any of this meant that e-bikes with the DJI Avinox drive system ended up banned though, unless the assessment of DJI UAVs did find something untoward in which case they’ll go the same way as Huawei…
 
Wouldn't be surprised if ...

"If you want to ride an Avinox-equipped bike further than an initial 100km, registering your bike for the first time via the smartphone app is mandatory."

... is seen as a security threat since it is registering your phone and details on a database/website based in China.

You also have to be suspicious as to why this occurred ...

Thread 'Non-Official Battery warning' Non-Official Battery warning

2+2 may not equal 4, but then ...
 
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irie said:
"If you want to ride an Avinox-equipped bike further than an initial 100km, registering your bike for the first time via the smartphone app is mandatory."
Click to expand...
Ummm ........ No it's not. You can get the dealer to register it. Then you share nothing. My dealer asked me if I wanted him to register it. I said I'd do it myself.
 
Actually, I hadn’t clocked this bit properly on first read of Section 1709, but effectively the highlighted bit in green states that if an appropriate agency hasn’t carried out an assessment within 12 months then DJI and anything associated with its technologies is automatically added to the ‘covered list’.

I wonder if an agency did complete an assessment?

IMG_1300.jpeg
 
Tooks said:
I’d be very surprised if any of this meant that e-bikes with the DJI Avinox drive system ended up banned though,
Click to expand...
Nice pick up on the Sec 1709. (y)

But the DJI motor system would be considered communication equipment, due to it's bluetooth connection to a smartphone. So I think any new motor releases would be banned, and no further M1 motors could be imported. Whilst this won't affect anyone in the US with an existing M1 motor. I don't see how Avinox can be sold out of the US.
 
So I see it this way. Technically Avinox motors are banned in the US, as the they do contain communication equipment manufactured by a subsidary of DJI. I guess we'll see if anyone selling Amflows or any other Avinox powered EMTBs in the US, gets taken to court.

Get the Popcorn ........ 🤭
 
Tooks said:
Actually, I hadn’t clocked this bit properly on first read of Section 1709, but effectively the highlighted bit in green states that if an appropriate agency hasn’t carried out an assessment within 12 months then DJI and anything associated with its technologies is automatically added to the ‘covered list’.

I wonder if an agency did complete an assessment?

View attachment 173067
Click to expand...
This looks specific to "Communications or video surveillance equipment"

Not sure the Avinox ebike will fall under that legal definition. Bluetooth controllers are just a wireless button, not really wireless communication?
 
irie said:
If the dealer registers the bike then what details are entered by the dealer during the registration process?
Click to expand...
You just have to enter an email address. So they put any email. That's it. The App checks if your Firmware is the latest and updates it. Mine required an upadte.

The other reason for registration, is to set the region and speed limits. The App does an IP check of the internet connection, and sets the region.
 
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It’s becoming clearer the main concern is UAVs but I’m pretty sure modern eMTB have components that require FCC approval, and thus have some risk in being swept up in this.
 
Rob Rides EMTB said:
This looks specific to "Communications or video surveillance equipment"

Not sure the Avinox ebike will fall under that legal definition. Bluetooth controllers are just a wireless button, not really wireless communication?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately Rob. The DJI Avinox Display is a e-bike computer which contains LTE, BLE and ANT+ transmitters and to be marketed or sold in the United States, must be registered with the FCC and carry an FCC ID. The FCC licenses for the Avinox controller are held by SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. So the controller/display is going to be considered a communication device, and is going to be a problem, not the motor, IMO.

Obviously it requires someone to enforce this new coverage. So I guess we'll know very soon if this is enforced.

 
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Astro66 said:
Unfortunately Rob. Electronic devices with Bluetooth capability that are marketed or sold in the United States must be registered with the FCC and carry an FCC ID. The FCC licenses for the Avinox controller are held by SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. So the controller/display is going to be considered a communication device, and is going to be a problem, not the motor, IMO.

Obviously it requires someone to enforce this new coverage. So I guess we'll know very soon if this is enforced.

Click to expand...
Isnt it only for future products / items that haven't been already registered with FCC? If so, Avinox would have already been registered and have relevant ID?

In fact it has already been approved:

Screenshot 2025-12-24 at 11.53.37.png
 
From https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-416839A1.pdf


• New devices on the Covered List, such as foreign-made drones, are prohibited from receiving FCC authorization and are therefore prohibited from being imported for use or sale in the U.S. This update to the Covered List does not prohibit the import, sale, or use of any existing device models the FCC previously authorized.

• This action does not affect any previously-purchased drone. Consumers can continue to use any drone they have already lawfully purchased or acquired.
 
Rob Rides EMTB said:
From https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-416839A1.pdf


• New devices on the Covered List, such as foreign-made drones, are prohibited from receiving FCC authorization and are therefore prohibited from being imported for use or sale in the U.S. This update to the Covered List does not prohibit the import, sale, or use of any existing device models the FCC previously authorized.

• This action does not affect any previously-purchased drone. Consumers can continue to use any drone they have already lawfully purchased or acquired.
Click to expand...
I just found that as well. So yes. It does look like the M1 controller might be OK.
 
From everything I can see, The FCC update is explicitly limited to foreign made drones/cameras/surveillance capable products, and UAS components, is non-retroactive, and does not apply to FCC-approved consumer products like Avinox, which remains legal to import, sell, and use.

From: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachm...tmmMnHKZt0NLtWSctI_aem_LFyJp1UhVqnhN9mKxj4ZzQ

"Nor does today’s decision prevent retailers from continuing to sell, import, or market device models approved earlier this year or previously through the FCC’s equipment authorization process. By operation of the FCC’s Covered List rules, the restrictions imposed by today’s decision apply to new device models."
 
So new assessment on finding the above ^^^^ recently released document. There will be no impact to any existing Avinox Motor Systems. Glad we finally cleared that up. 🤭
 
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steve_sordy said:
THE END?
Click to expand...

For new DJI drones in the USA, it would appear so, yes.

For Avinox powered EMTBs, it would appear to be better news, until a US manufacturer emerges that wants to dominate EMTB motor manufacture that is.
 
Rob Rides EMTB said:
This looks specific to "Communications or video surveillance equipment"

Not sure the Avinox ebike will fall under that legal definition. Bluetooth controllers are just a wireless button, not really wireless communication?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I did mention in my previous post that I’d be very surprised if the drone ban also meant an Avinox motor/controller ban, but I think it has placed the Avinox into a potentially difficult grey area from a regulation point of view.

What we’ve also learnt is that the dead hand of regulation is heavy and slow moving, who is to say what happens next? I don’t think it’s the end of the story.
 
Rob Rides EMTB said:
This looks specific to "Communications or video surveillance equipment"

Not sure the Avinox ebike will fall under that legal definition. Bluetooth controllers are just a wireless button, not really wireless communication?
Click to expand...
The bike may not fall under that legal definition but the motor's communication system may be far more likely to.
 
TL;DR: has nothing to do with bikes. Period. End of story.
 
Still reinforces my standing opinion that DJI is a company I’d personally avoid if I didn’t feel like I was punishing myself by doing so.
 
RickBullotta said:
TL;DR: has nothing to do with bikes. Period. End of story.
Click to expand...

Actually, I don’t think that’s quite right?

Whilst it may have little/nothing to do with the existing Avinox M1 motor/controller and FCC approved Bluetooth module, any future products will still need to get new FCC approval, even before this drone angle.

As that approval will still be applied for by SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd, who also now have drone/comms products on the controlled list, it will be closely looked at I’m sure.

Rather than putting our heads in the sand, I think it’s worth keeping an eye on developments, even if for now it’s only new DJI drones in scope.
 
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