FCC targets eight firms funneling banned DJI drones into the US under fake brands

The FCC is moving against a network of companies suspected of serving as distribution channels for DJI products despite the US ban on foreign drones. Eight firms face $25,000 fines for ignoring FCC inquiries, and a Chinese testing lab may lose its accreditation.

The front-company scheme#

DJI has long been barred from directly selling its hardware in the US due to national security concerns. Instead, the company appears to have created or partnered with shell firms to rebrand and resell its products. Notable examples include Xtra, which sells what appears to be a repackaged DJI Osmo Pocket camera, and Skyrover, which markets drones that testing suggests are virtually indistinguishable from DJI's own models.

The FCC is investigating whether these entities—Cogito Tech, Fixaxo Technology, Lyno Dynamics, Skyhigh Tech, Spatial Hover, SZ Knowact (behind Skyrover), WaveGo Tech, and Xtra Technology—are selling radio-enabled products that should have been blocked. All eight companies have so far ignored FCC investigative letters.

The enforcement tools#

In December, the FCC barred all foreign drone manufacturers from obtaining radio frequency authorizations, treating the devices as national security threats. The regulator also gained authority to retroactively pull approvals for any product containing banned components—even non-drone gadgets like cameras with DJI transmitters.

Companies have just 10 calendar days from the fine notice to respond before the FCC considers escalating action.

The testing lab angle#

The FCC is separately targeting SGS-CTST Standards Technical Services, a Shenzhen-based lab that certified both the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro and products from one of the eight companies under investigation. The agency announced its intent to disqualify SGS because its parent structure includes ties to China Standard Science & Technology Group Company Limited, which is wholly owned by the China National Institute of Standardization—classified as subject to influence by a foreign adversary.

Missing documentation#

FCC filing records for both the legitimate DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pro and Xtra's copycat Muse have disappeared from the FCC's public database in recent weeks, suggesting the agency may have retroactively removed their authorizations. This move could prevent DJI from bringing new generations of its handheld cameras to the American market, even under alternative branding.