BEIJING / RankWire.AI / – On Wednesday, China announced a series of retaliatory measures against the United States, including enhanced restrictions on drone-related exports. Additionally, it limited interactions with seven American organizations. These measures came into effect on August 5, following recent U.S. restrictions on technology and imports. China’s Ministry of Commerce stated that exports of controlled drones, vital components, and associated technologies will now be subjected to more rigorous U.S.-bound review processes. These regulations apply to items already under China’s dual-use export control framework and do not constitute an outright ban on all Chinese drone exports to the U.S. market.
Rather than a simplified licensing process, exporters now need to obtain approval for each shipment of covered products. The authorities will evaluate the products, end users, and intended applications based on existing export control laws. The scope of the order includes unmanned aerial vehicles, essential parts, and technologies that meet China’s thresholds for controlled items. China already governs specific drone engines, sensors, communications gear, and anti-drone systems. It also prohibits the export of civilian drones for military use. The new restrictions impose additional scrutiny specifically on controlled items destined for the United States.
Beijing also prohibited Chinese entities and individuals from engaging in transactions or collaborations with six U.S. organizations. The entities listed are Applied DNA Sciences, Stratum Reservoir, Altana Technologies, the Responsible Business Alliance, Verité Group, and Human Rights in China. Chinese officials accused these organizations of backing U.S. restrictions related to alleged forced labor in Xinjiang. A separate decree also barred Compliance Testing LLC from business activities. China asserted that the Arizona-based testing firm supported Federal Communications Commission actions affecting Chinese tech firms.
Expansion of Export Controls Beyond Drones
China has also launched a nationwide security review into imported office equipment that incorporates foreign-developed system software. The investigation targets imported printers, copiers, and multifunction devices that utilize foreign drivers or embedded software. Officials indicated that the review will analyze imports, domestic demand, supply dependencies, and the potential impact on national security interests. The Ministry of Commerce may employ questionnaires, hearings, site inspections, or commissioned investigations as part of the process. The review is expected to conclude within 12 months, although Chinese law permits extensions under particular circumstances.
In a separate move, China suspended arrangements allowing U.S. certification bodies to perform follow-up factory inspections for its compulsory product certification scheme. The State Administration for Market Regulation announced that designated Chinese agencies can no longer assign those inspections to American organizations. This change affects the process used to maintain China’s Compulsory Certification for applicable products. Manufacturers might need to seek approval from other authorized bodies to complete necessary factory inspections. The order does not revoke existing certifications or ban all U.S. products from entering China.
U.S. Actions Elicit Chinese Countermeasures
Beijing linked its recent measures to actions taken by the Federal Communications Commission and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The FCC has restricted approvals for new foreign-made drones and key components entering the U.S. market, later allowing limited exceptions for certain toy drones and specific models. Additionally, on July 31, U.S. authorities added 43 Chinese entities to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act list. Goods associated with these listed organizations face a presumption against U.S. entry under the law.
Chinese officials characterized these countermeasures as moderate and urged Washington to revoke the measures that Beijing cited. The new policies took effect immediately, except for the office equipment review, which also commenced on the same day. No individual drone manufacturers in China were named, nor was any ban imposed on all drone exports to the U.S. Instead, the export restrictions impose stricter licensing requirements on controlled drones, their components, and related technologies. The restrictions currently target only the seven designated U.S. entities, while the office equipment review remains ongoing.