Beijing will ban the sale of drones within the city and require all users to obtain official permission before operating unmanned aerial vehicles, under new regulations set to take effect on May 1.
Authorities said the measures are driven by public security concerns and will also prohibit the entry of drones and key components into the capital. E-commerce platforms will be barred from shipping UAVs to Beijing under the updated rules.
However, drone owners who completed real-name registration before May 1 will still be allowed to bring their devices in and out of the city. Users will also be given a three-month grace period to register their drones with local police stations.
The sweeping restrictions come as Beijing intensifies control over its airspace, with all drone flights now requiring prior approval. Illegal flights may result in fines of up to 10,000 yuan (about S$1,800), along with possible confiscation of equipment.
The new framework also tightens storage rules, limiting individuals to a maximum of three drones per location within Beijing’s sixth ring road.
Retailers have already begun adjusting to the changes, with some drone products removed from store displays ahead of the enforcement date. An employee at a DJI outlet in central Beijing said stock was being moved to other cities in preparation for the new restrictions.
DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, which has previously faced scrutiny from the United States over security concerns, is widely used in China but will now be affected by the stricter controls in the capital.
Public reaction online has been mixed, with some users describing the policy as overly strict and inconvenient, while others said they intended to sell their devices before the rules take effect.
Under the new system, exemptions may still be granted for specific purposes such as counter-terrorism, agriculture, education and sports, although approval will be tightly controlled.
Beijing officials said the capital faces greater challenges in managing low-altitude airspace safety, making stricter drone regulation necessary. National rules have also been tightened, with illegal drone use now subject to detention and enhanced data reporting requirements.
