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China Updates Drone Export Control Rules: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

China’s MOFCOM, GACC, and CMC Equipment Development Department have issued Announcement No. 49 of 2026, adjusting export controls on certain unmanned aircraft items. This article summarizes the key changes and compliance obligations for foreign founders operating in China.

Overview of the 2026 Drone Export Control Adjustments

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

For foreign founders establishing or operating a company in China—particularly in manufacturing, trading, or technology sectors involving drones—these updates introduce new compliance requirements. Understanding which items are controlled and how to obtain necessary licenses is essential to avoid disruptions.

Key Controlled Items Under the Announcement

The announcement lists several categories of items that now require export licenses. The following is a summary of the main controlled items, based on the official text.

1. Autopilots and Unmanned Aircraft (Items 7A103.b and 9A012.a)

Item 7A103.b covers autopilots specially designed for unmanned aircraft (reference customs commodity number 90142010.10). Item 9A012.a controls unmanned aircraft or unmanned airships capable of controlled flight beyond the operator’s natural line of sight and meeting any of the specified characteristics. These include:

• Maximum endurance of 30 minutes or more but less than 3 hours, and the ability to take off and maintain stable controlled flight in gust conditions of 46.3 km/h (25 knots) or above.

The announcement also provides definitions: “operator” means a professional responsible for controlling the unmanned aircraft or airship via a ground control station, either remotely or through programming, to ensure mission completion. “Endurance” refers to continuous flight time converted to International Standard Atmosphere conditions (ISO 2533:1975) at sea level with zero wind. “Natural line of sight” means the maximum distance at which an observer on Earth’s surface can clearly see an object under ideal conditions without human interference or atmospheric pollution, considering the Earth’s curvature; in practice, atmospheric effects are also considered.

2. Engines and Propulsion Systems

Certain engines are now controlled, including:

• Reciprocating piston or rotary internal combustion engines specially designed for flight above 15,420 m (50,000 feet) (reference customs commodity numbers 84071010.10, 84071020.10).
• Aircraft engines with maximum continuous power exceeding 16 kW (reference customs commodity numbers 85012000.10, 85013200.10, 85013300.10, 85013400.10, 85014000.10, 85015200.10, 85015300.10, 84071010.10, 84071020.10, 84089092.30, 84089093.20, 84111110.10, 84111190.10, 84111210.10, 84111290.20, 84112100.10, 84112210.10, 84112220.10, 84112230.10, 84118100.02).
• Turbojet engines with thrust of 400 N or more (reference customs commodity numbers 84111110.10, 84111190.10, 84111210.10, 84111290.20).

3. Radio Communication Equipment (Item 9A012.e)

Radio communication equipment specially designed for the unmanned aircraft or airships controlled under 9A012.a and having any of the specified characteristics is controlled (reference customs commodity numbers 85176299.10, 85176910.02, 85269200.10). The announcement defines “equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP)” as the radiated power in a given direction from an actual transmission system, expressed as the transmission power required by an ideal isotropic antenna to produce the same power density.

4. Unmanned Aircraft Not Covered by 9A012 (Item 9A112)

Item 9A112 covers unmanned aircraft not controlled under 9A012 (reference customs commodity numbers 88010090.10 and others listed in the announcement). This includes:

• Brushless motors specially designed for unmanned aircraft propellers, meeting all specified characteristics (reference customs commodity numbers 85012000.10, 85013200.10, 85013300.10, 85013400.10, 85014000.10, 85015200.10, 85015300.10).
• Electronic speed controllers specially designed for items controlled under 9A901.a, meeting all specified characteristics (reference customs commodity numbers 85044099.70, 90328990.95).
• Carbon fiber composite blades usable in unmanned aircraft, meeting any of the specified characteristics (reference customs commodity number 88071000.10). The announcement clarifies that “variable pitch function” in 9A901.c.3 refers to structures such as a pitch change pin at the blade root or holes at the blade root for connecting a pitch change arm.

5. Technology (Item 9E902)

Technology for the development, production, or use of items controlled under 9A012.b, 9A012.c, 9A012.d, 9A012.e, and 9A901 is also controlled.

Compliance Obligations for Exporters

Exporters of the above items must apply for a license from the competent department of the State Council for commerce in accordance with the Export Control Law and the Regulations on Export Control of Dual-Use Items.

Exporters are responsible for the authenticity of customs declarations. For items listed in the announcement, they must declare characteristics and other indicator information to customs and note “属于出口管制物项” (subject to export control) in the remarks column of the customs declaration form. For items not listed but with similar characteristics or indicators, or whose end use does not fall under the announced situations but other characteristics or indicators match, exporters must declare the information and note “不属于出口管制物项” (not subject to export control). If customs has doubts about the authenticity of the declared information, it will raise queries in accordance with the law, and the goods will not be released during the query period.

Facilitation Measures

The announcement also provides certain facilitation measures:

• For exports of items controlled under 9A012.a.1, exporters may obtain an export certificate by registering and filling in information before each export and then export independently.
• For items controlled under 9A012.a and 9A112 used for exhibitions held within China (excluding defense and police exhibitions) and returned in their original condition immediately after the exhibition to the original place of export, or for exhibitions held outside China (excluding defense and police exhibitions) and returned in their original condition immediately after the exhibition, exporters may obtain an export certificate by registering and filling in information before each export and then export independently.
• Export enterprises that have established an internal compliance system for dual-use item export control and operate it well, have relevant export records for dual-use items, and have relatively fixed export channels and end users may apply for general licenses and other facilitation measures in accordance with the law.

Practical Implications for Foreign Founders

Foreign founders with companies in China that manufacture, trade, or use drones and related components should review their product portfolios against the controlled items list. If your products fall under any controlled category, you must obtain an export license before shipping abroad. Accurate customs declarations are critical—misdeclaration can lead to delays or penalties. Establishing a robust internal compliance program can help qualify for general licenses, streamlining future exports. 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.