Pubblicato · San Marino

China Adjusts 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 issued Announcement No. 49 of 2026, optimizing and adjusting export control measures for certain unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) related items. The announcement, effective October 19, 2026, sets licensing requirements for specific drone technologies and components. Foreign founders operating in China’s drone sector should understand these controls to ensure compliance.

China Updates Drone Export Control List

On October 19, 2026, China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), the General Administration of Customs, and the Central Military Commission Equipment Development Department jointly released Announcement No. 49 of 2026. The announcement optimizes and adjusts export control measures for certain 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. It aims to safeguard national security and interests, with approval from the State Council and the Central Military Commission.

For foreign founders operating in China’s drone industry, the announcement clarifies which items require export licenses and outlines compliance obligations. This article summarizes the key points from the official source.

Items Subject to Export Controls

The following items cannot be exported without a license:

• Autopilots specially designed for “unmanned aerial vehicles” (HS reference: 90142010.10).
• Unmanned aerial vehicles or unmanned airships capable of controlled flight beyond the “operator’s natural line of sight” and possessing any of the specified characteristics (HS references: multiple codes starting with 8801, 8806).
• Engines: 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; turbojet engines with thrust of 400 N or more (HS references: various).
• Radio communication equipment specially designed for UAVs or airships controlled under 9A012.a and having certain characteristics (HS references: 85176299.10, 85176910.02, 85269200.10).
• Unmanned aerial vehicles not controlled under 9A012 that incorporate certain components: brushless motors specially designed for UAV propellers; electronic speed controllers; carbon fiber composite blades with any of the specified features (HS references: various).
• Technology for the development, production, or use of items controlled under 9A012.b, 9A012.c, 9A012.d, 9A012.e, and 9A901.

Licensing and Customs Procedures

Exporters must apply to the competent commerce department under the State Council for a license before exporting any of the above items, 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, exporters must declare their characteristics and other指标 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 with uses not covered but other indicators meeting the criteria, 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 according to law, and the goods will not be released during the query period.

Facilitation Measures

The announcement provides certain facilitation measures:

• For exports of items controlled under 9A012.a.1, exporters may obtain an export certificate through registration and information submission before each export and then export independently.
• For items controlled under 9A012.a and 9A112 used for exhibitions (excluding defense and police exhibitions) held within China, and returned to the original place of export in their original condition immediately after the exhibition; or for exhibitions held outside China (excluding defense and police exhibitions) and returned to China in their original condition immediately after the exhibition, exporters may obtain an export certificate through registration and information submission before each export and export independently.
• Export enterprises that have established and well-operated internal compliance programs for dual-use item export control, have relevant export records, 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 involved in the drone sector in China should carefully review the controlled items list and ensure that any export of products, components, or technology falling under the announcement is properly licensed. It is crucial to maintain accurate customs declarations and to establish internal compliance programs to benefit from 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.