New U.S. tariffs on drones take effect
Drones with a takeoff weight exceeding 25 kilograms, as well as those with thermal imaging capabilities and docking stations face a 100% tariff; smaller drones face a 25% duty
Effective September 3, 2026, the United States has imposed new tariffs of up to 100% on drones and certain components, as Washington seeks to reduce its import reliance in an industry heavily dominated by China. President Donald Trump signed an order in August, highlighting the "national security threat posed by imports of drones and their components."
The tariffs target drones with a takeoff weight exceeding 25 kilograms, those with thermal imaging capabilities, and those with docking stations, all of which face a 100% duty. Some non-sensitive drone components will also face duties starting February 9, 2027. China strongly opposes these tariffs, urging the U.S. to withdraw them, as they could disrupt the global drone supply chain and undermine a fair market environment.
Chinese drone manufacturer DJI, founded in 2006, currently holds over two-thirds of the global drone market. Since 2022, DJI has been listed by the U.S. government as a Chinese firm with ties to the military, restricting its access to U.S. technology.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu - Sci-Tech's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
