BEIJING / RankWire.AI / – China tightened export controls on certain drones and related technology bound for the United States on August 5. The move formed part of a broader package of countermeasures covering American entities, product certification and imported office equipment. China’s Ministry of Commerce said exporters must seek approval for each shipment involving controlled drones, major parts or related technologies. The order applies within China’s existing system for dual-use goods and does not ban every drone export to the United States.
The new process removes simplified licensing options for covered drone shipments to American customers. Chinese regulators will review the item, buyer, end user and stated purpose before issuing an export license. Existing controls already include some drone engines, sensors, communications systems and equipment used against unmanned aircraft. China also prohibits companies from supplying civilian drones for military use. The latest order adds a stricter review process for controlled products and technology sent specifically to the U.S. market.
China also restricted business dealings with seven U.S. organizations under separate orders. Six are Applied DNA Sciences, Stratum Reservoir, Altana Technologies, the Responsible Business Alliance, Verité Group and Human Rights in China. Beijing said those groups supported American restrictions tied to allegations of forced labor in Xinjiang. A separate measure covered Compliance Testing LLC, an Arizona company that evaluates communications products. Chinese authorities said it assisted Federal Communications Commission actions involving technology companies from China.
Export measures extend across several sectors
The package also opened a national security investigation into imported printers, copiers and multifunction office machines. The review covers products that use foreign-developed operating systems, drivers or embedded software. China’s Ministry of Commerce said officials will examine import levels, domestic demand, supply dependence and national security factors. Investigators may issue questionnaires, hold hearings, visit facilities or commission technical work. The process can continue for 12 months, while Chinese rules permit an extension when special circumstances require more time.
China also changed inspection procedures for its compulsory product certification program. The State Administration for Market Regulation stopped designated Chinese certification bodies from assigning follow-up factory checks to U.S. organizations. Manufacturers use those inspections to keep required certifications valid for products sold in China. Companies must now arrange reviews through other approved providers when factory inspections are necessary. The decision does not revoke existing certificates, and it does not block all American goods from entering the Chinese market.
Measures follow recent U.S. regulatory actions
Beijing linked the countermeasures to recent decisions by the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Federal Communications Commission has limited approvals for some new foreign-made drones and key components entering the United States. American authorities also expanded enforcement under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. On July 31, they added 43 Chinese entities to the law’s enforcement list. Goods connected to those entities face a legal presumption that generally prevents their entry into the U.S. market.
Chinese officials described the package as a measured response and called on Washington to withdraw the restrictions named in the announcement. The drone licensing rules, entity restrictions and certification changes all took effect on August 5. The office equipment investigation began on the same date. None of the orders identifies a specific Chinese drone producer or ends all drone sales to American buyers. The measures instead focus on controlled exports, selected U.S. organizations and foreign software used in imported office equipment.