Beijing will ban possession and storage of drones and key components within city limits from Nov. 15, tightening rules that already banned sales in May. The move follows a late-June crash that killed a pilot and injured 13, and builds on May 1 requirements for owners to register drones by real name. Authorities may confiscate noncompliant devices and fine violators, while offering subsidies for buybacks, scrapping, or shipping drones out of the city.
Beijing to Ban Drone Possession Citywide From Nov. 15, Offers Buybacks After Deadly Crash
A performer rests near a "No Drone Zone" sign in Beijing, on May 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Beijing announced new rules on Sunday that will ban the possession and storage of drones and key drone components within the city's administrative boundaries, taking effect on Nov. 15. The move tightens regulations that already included a May ban on drone sales and restrictions on unauthorized flights.
What the New Rules Say
Under the revised regulations released by authorities, owning or storing drones or essential components inside Beijing will be prohibited starting Nov. 15. The city had already designated its administrative area as restricted airspace and barred unauthorized drone flights on security grounds.
The updated rules follow a late-June accident in which a small aircraft struck a Beijing skyscraper, killing the pilot and injuring 13 people. Authorities say the changes are intended to strengthen public safety and airspace security.
Performers rest near a "No Drone Zone" sign in Beijing, on May 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)(AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Earlier Measures and Compliance Steps
Regulations approved in March and implemented on May 1 required existing drone owners in Beijing to register devices under their real names. While those rules had allowed registered owners to keep drones under strict conditions, the Nov. 15 revisions extend restrictions to possession and storage.
Officials will be empowered to confiscate noncompliant drones and levy fines on individuals and companies that violate the rules. Bringing drones into Beijing from outside the city — including by tourists — is already prohibited.
Support For Current Owners
To ease the transition, Beijing authorities will offer subsidies for owners to sell their devices at designated buyback locations, according to the state-owned Beijing Daily. Owners can also opt to scrap and recycle drones for a small subsidy or ship them out of the city before the ban takes effect.
Where Drones Can Still Be Flown
Drone users can continue to fly outdoors in other parts of China, subject to national rules that require real-name registration. Beijing, as the national capital, often enacts stricter security measures than other regions.
Takeaway: The new rules mark a significant tightening of Beijing's approach to civilian drones — banning possession citywide while offering limited financial help to existing owners to remove devices from the city.
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