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China Tightens Export Controls on Drone-Related Items: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

China’s Ministry of Commerce, General Administration of Customs, and Central Military Commission Equipment Development Department have issued Announcement No. 49 of 2026, adjusting export control measures for certain unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) related items. Foreign founders operating in China’s drone sector must understand these new licensing requirements to ensure compliance.

New Export Control Adjustments for Drone-Related Items

On October 19, 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), the General Administration of Customs, and the Central Military Commission Equipment Development Department jointly issued Announcement No. 49 of 2026. The announcement optimizes and adjusts export control measures for specific unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) related items, pursuant to the Export Control Law, Foreign Trade Law, Customs Law, and Regulations on Export Control of Dual-Use Items. The measures aim to safeguard national security and interests and have been approved by the State Council and the Central Military Commission.

For foreign founders whose China-based companies manufacture, trade, or export drone-related technologies, these changes introduce new licensing obligations and compliance steps. Below is a summary of the key points.

Items Subject to Export Licensing

Under the announcement, the following items cannot be exported without a license:

• Autopilots specially designed for UAVs (classified under 7A103.b., with reference customs code 90142010.10).
• UAVs or unmanned airships capable of controlled flight beyond the operator’s natural line of sight (9A012.a.) and meeting specific criteria: maximum endurance of 30 minutes or more but less than 3 hours, and the ability to take off and maintain stable controlled flight in gusty conditions of 46.3 km/h (25 knots) or above. A long list of reference customs codes applies.
• Engines and propulsion systems for UAVs, including: reciprocating piston or rotary internal combustion engines specially designed for flight above 15,420 meters (50,000 feet); aero engines with maximum continuous power exceeding 16 kW; and turbojet engines with thrust of 400 N or more.
• Radio communication equipment specially designed for UAVs or unmanned airships controlled under 9A012.a., with certain characteristics (reference customs codes 85176299.10, 85176910.02, 85269200.10).
• Certain UAV components not controlled under 9A012 (9A112), including brushless motors, electronic speed controllers, and carbon fiber composite propeller blades with specific features.
• Technology for the development, production, or use of items controlled under 9A012.b, 9A012.c, 9A012.d, 9A012.e, and 9A901 (9E902).

Licensing and Customs Procedures

Exporters must apply to the State Council’s competent commerce department (MOFCOM) for a license before exporting any of the above items, in accordance with the Export Control Law and the Dual-Use Items Export Control Regulations. When declaring goods to customs, exporters are responsible for the authenticity of the information. If the item falls under the announcement, they must declare its characteristics and indicate “subject to export control” in the remarks column of the customs declaration form. If an item is not listed but its characteristics are close to those controlled, or if its end use does not match but other parameters do, exporters must still declare the information and note “not subject to export control.” Customs may question the accuracy of declarations and will not release goods during the questioning period.

Facilitation Measures

The announcement provides certain facilitative measures:

• For exports of items controlled under 9A012.a.1, exporters may obtain an export certificate through registration and self-declaration before each shipment and then export independently.
• For items controlled under 9A012.a and 9A112 that are used in exhibitions held in China (excluding defense and police exhibitions), and returned to the original export destination in their original condition immediately after the exhibition, or for exhibitions held outside China (excluding defense and police exhibitions) and returned to China in original condition immediately after, exporters may use the same registration method for each export.
• Exporters that have established a well-functioning internal compliance program for dual-use item exports, have a record of such exports, and have relatively fixed export channels and end-users may apply for general licenses and other facilitation measures according to law.

Implications for Foreign Founders

Foreign founders operating in China’s drone industry should review their product portfolios and technical specifications to determine whether any items fall under the new controls. If so, they must incorporate licensing procedures into their export workflows. It is also crucial to maintain accurate customs declarations and consider establishing an internal compliance program to qualify for facilitation measures. Given the technical nature of the controls, seeking professional advice is advisable.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

For assistance with company registration and operations in China, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.