China's new export controls: what changes for drones and solar tech

October 29, 2026. From November 18, China will require an export license for certain drones, defined by endurance or range, and for their motors, autopilots and radios, under Announcement No. 49 of 2026 from the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), the General Administration of Customs and the Central Military Commission's Equipment Development Department. Separately, MOFCOM and the Ministry of Science and Technology opened a consultation on adding 40 AI, biomedical and photovoltaic technologies to China's catalogue of prohibited or restricted technology exports.

Drones and parts covered from November 18

Announcement 49 updates the dual-use list. Controlled items include:

• Drones that can be flown beyond line of sight with 30 minutes to under 3 hours of endurance, if they can also take off and fly stably in gusts of at least 46.3 km/h; and drones with 3 hours or more.
• Drones with a range of 300 km or more, or autonomous or beyond-line-of-sight drones with spraying systems of more than 80 liters.
• Drone autopilots, certain engines, radios of 30 dBm EIRP or more or able to control more than 10 aircraft from one station, and parts such as brushless motors meeting 48 V, 3 kW, 3 kW/kg and 3,000 rpm or lower together, their controllers and large carbon-fiber propellers.

MOFCOM notes that models designed for recreation or competition are excluded in one category. For each controlled shipment the Chinese exporter must obtain a MOFCOM license and declare the item at customs; customs can hold cargo while it checks a doubtful declaration. General licenses are foreseen for exporters with a good record.

Solar and AI technologies: consultation until November 15

Announcement 48 proposes adding 23 AI, 5 biomedical and 12 photovoltaic technologies. The solar items concern polysilicon, wafer and cell manufacturing, including key equipment. Law firm Pillsbury says MOFCOM confirmed that products made with those technologies are not controlled, so finished panels are not the target.

What buyers should do

Our take: the sources do not list finished solar panels or security cameras. For drones, everything depends on the spec sheet.

• Ask the supplier for the full datasheet (endurance, range, motor power, tank size) and a written answer on whether a license is needed. Our import requirements review does this before you pay.
• If a license is needed, agree in the sales contract who applies and how the ship date moves.
• Before shipping, a product inspection confirms the goods match the approved spec.

• Import requirements review
• International sales contracts
• Product inspections