Still flying like it’s 2023? In 2025, batteries will be your bottleneck.

If you run drones for work or play, the headline risk isn’t just losing access to new aircraft. It’s batteries. With a potential U.S. import cutoff for new DJI gear looming in December 2025, operators should expect a squeeze on lithium drone batteries and compatible charging hardware. The good news: there is a clear playbook for keeping fleets safe, compliant, and mission-ready.

What’s changing in late 2025

U.S. policymakers have positioned DJI for tighter restrictions. If DJI is added to the FCC’s Covered List by the end of 2025, new models and radios would not receive fresh authorizations, constraining future imports and retail sales. Existing, already-authorized drones would remain legal to fly, but supply of new aircraft and accessories could tighten quickly, especially batteries and chargers. That’s the crux for fleet continuity.

• Analysts tracking the timeline point to December 23, 2025 as a key date for potential FCC action and import impacts, with important caveats about agency reviews and legal processes, as outlined by UAV Coach and discussed in RadioWorld.
• DJI’s own statement offers context on what is and isn’t being proposed, including what a Covered List designation would mean for new authorizations versus existing equipment, in this company update.

Why batteries are the pressure point

DJI fleets depend on model-specific intelligent batteries with embedded management electronics. Cross-compatibility across models is minimal, and third-party alternatives are limited. A sudden import constraint can translate into a rapid shortage of the one consumable part you replace most often.

• Many DJI systems rely on proprietary “Intelligent Flight Battery” packs, which include onboard monitoring and balancing. See, for example, the Mavic 3 Intelligent Flight Battery.
• Replacement demand is persistent because lithium-ion and lithium polymer packs have finite cycle lives and degrade with calendar time and heat.

The compliance layer you cannot ignore

Whether you buy OEM or third-party batteries, ensure they meet transport and safety standards. Cutting corners here is how fires happen, shipments get seized, and insurance coverage gets messy.

• UN 38.3 transport testing is mandatory for cells and batteries shipped by air, sea, road, or rail. Vendors must provide a UN 38.3 test summary on request, a requirement enforced by PHMSA in the U.S. Details are outlined by PHMSA and in the UN Manual, Section 38.3 here. Test summary guidance is here.
• For air cargo, the IATA Lithium Battery Guidance Document covers packing instructions PI 965/966 (lithium-ion batteries alone or with equipment) and the common 30 percent state-of-charge limit for certain consignments to reduce thermal risk. See the current IATA guidance.
• For product safety certification, IEC 62133 is the widely referenced international safety standard for rechargeable lithium cells and packs, and UL frameworks like UL 1642 (cells) and UL 2054 (battery packs) are often used for North American conformity. Overviews are available from Intertek on IEC 62133 and UL on battery safety testing.

The problem: batteries age faster than policies change

Even if your airframes keep flying through 2026 and beyond, your packs won’t. Typical lithium-ion drone batteries lose capacity with each cycle and with time-on-shelf. If imports tighten, you risk grounded missions not because of airframe rules, but because you cannot source safe, compliant replacements.

The solution: lock in capacity, qualify alternates, and fix the logistics

Here is a practical, no-drama playbook to de-risk your fleet before December 2025.

• Audit your fleet’s battery math now. For each model, tally packs in service, average cycles, and mission profiles. Forecast replacements for 12 to 24 months under conservative assumptions.
• Plan a last-time-buy for critical packs. Build a buffer that covers duty cycles plus attrition. Stagger serial numbers and purchase dates to diversify warranty windows.
• Cross-qualify vendors early. Identify two authorized suppliers for OEM packs. If you evaluate third-party options, require documented UN 38.3 test summaries, product-level safety certifications where applicable, and a clear warranty. Reject anything that lacks traceable documentation, as advised by PHMSA and the IATA guidance.
• Duplicate charging and power accessories. Chargers, hubs, and adapters are often the second bottleneck. Stock extras while imports are predictable.
• Harden your logistics. When possible, ship batteries installed in equipment or via ground to reduce air-cargo constraints. If you must use air, ensure consignments meet PI 965/966 and SoC limits per IATA. Keep UN 38.3 test summaries on file for each SKU.
• Standardize on safe handling. Use OEM or UL-listed chargers, avoid damaged packs, and store batteries in cool, dry conditions away from flammable materials. For product-safety best practices, benchmark requirements referenced by IEC 62133 and UL.
• Firmware discipline. Apply firmware updates deliberately and validate battery behavior post-update before fleet-wide rollouts, especially if mixing OEM and third-party packs.

Evidence and expectations

We are already seeing tightening in U.S. channels as policy discussions ripple through the supply chain. Industry explainers anticipate new-model authorization constraints while noting that existing, previously authorized drones remain operable, as covered by UAV Coach and RadioWorld. DJI’s perspective on the proposals and timelines is summarized in this company post. On the safety front, the combination of UN 38.3, IATA packing instructions, and UL/IEC standards remains the accepted baseline for compliant lithium battery sourcing and transport, as outlined by PHMSA and IATA.

What to watch through 2025

• Regulatory milestones: Any FCC movement related to the Covered List and manufacturer authorizations. Follow ongoing coverage from UAV Coach and DJI’s updates.
• Distribution inventory: Monitor authorized dealers for stock pulses on batteries, chargers, and key spares.
• Shipping rules: Annual updates to the IATA Lithium Battery Guidance Document and any PHMSA rulemaking that affects documentation or mode restrictions.

Bottom line

Don’t wait for a headline to ground your operations. Batteries are the pacing item. If you secure compliant inventory, diversify suppliers, and tighten logistics now, you will glide through 2025 while everyone else scrambles for watts.