People walk past a sign reading “No drone zone” in an alley in Beijing on Sept. 14, 2026. Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images
Authorities in Beijing are imposing a total ban on residents owning and storing drones within the city, according to measures unveiled on Sept. 13, further tightening security across the country’s political center following a rare plane crash in June.
Authorities cited the need to “safeguard the capital’s security.”
Beijing declared the crash a deliberate act.
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After taking off from an airport in Pinggu district in eastern Beijing, the man deviated from the designated flight area and lost contact with the airport.
He then crashed into a high-rise and died, Beijing officials said in a statement issued about a week after the incident.
In a related move, officials will also designate a no-fly zone in Beijing and surrounding areas from Sept. 20, restricting all flying activities except public transport and rescue flights, state media Beijing Daily reported on Sept. 13.
Details of Drone Ban
Under current rules, drone owners are largely allowed to keep their devices at home after registering their real names and ID card numbers with police authorities.
The new regulation states that possessing or storing drones and key components is forbidden anywhere in Beijing.
A hole is seen on the side of the CITIC Tower in Beijing on June 26, 2026, after an eyewitness reported plane debris at the base of Beijing’s tallest building. Peter Catterall/AFP via Getty Images
All drone flight activity will be prohibited in Beijing starting Nov. 15, according to the regulation released on the city government’s website.
The authorities set a Nov. 14 deadline for drone owners to move their devices outside Beijing or to scrap and recycle them through official channels, according to Beijing Daily.
Residents can also sell drones to designated entities, and those who participated in the buyback programs before Oct. 31 are eligible for a subsidy of up to 3000 yuan ($447) per unit.
The new rules grant police the power to confiscate drones and impose fines of up to 5,000 yuan ($745) on individuals and 50,000 yuan ($7,454) on organizations.
Authorities will not make an exception for drones used for sports training and competitions, although scientific research, major events, and agricultural uses remain on the exemption list, according to the new regulation.
Officials have already barred people from bringing drones and their core components into the Chinese capital, including those who transit through the city.
Beijing has police checkpoints at every highway entrance and railway station to check people’s luggage and personal information.
