In this article, you will discover the most up-to-date regulations governing drone photography in China. You will also become informed about where it is permissible to fly drones in China, as well as how to register your drone in a step-by-step process.
2026 Drone Regulations in China
As of January 1, 2026, China has tightened its regulations on drone use, formally classifying drones as aircraft under national aviation law. As a result, many popular locations—including major cities and historical sites—are restricted without special authorization.
- All drones, including the latest DJI FLIP and NEO models, are required to be registered under real names, regardless of their weight. Learn how to register your drone in China.
- Maximum altitude: 120 m AGL (Above Ground Level). If you take off from the top of a building that is 60 meters high, you may only fly up to a maximum altitude of 60 meters.
- DJI map doesn't show all restricted zones, so pilots must cross-check with the official CAAC maps. Flying without compliance may result in fines or confiscation of equipment.
How to register my drone in China?
Do I have to register my drone in China?
Literally, yes.
You can register on the website of CAAC here: https://uas.caac.gov.cn/.
Please note that the website is only available in Chinese, and registration requires a Chinese cell phone number and a WeChat account.
Without a Chinese cell phone number and a WeChat account, it is impossible to complete the process. Therefore, you will need to seek assistance from a Chinese friend.
If you don’t have a Chinese number or are unable to complete the registration, we’re here to help.
China Drone Registration
I will guide you through the step-by-step process of registering your drone. Please ensure you have a Chinese cell phone number, are familiar with using WeChat, and have already signed in.
* Click on the image to zoom in and view it clearly.
Step 1
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- 1 Click 'Registration Management'
- 2 Click "Registe a branded drone"
Step 2
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The details shown here are the ones you submitted during sign-up and include 'Name, ID type, ID number, cellphone number, and email'. Please note that they cannot be altered here.
Step 3
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- 4 Use WeChat to scan the QR code for 'Face Recognition Authentication'
You can proceed with the instructions to complete the authentication process. Once it is done, you will be redirected to the next.
Step 4
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- 5 Click on the magnifying glass icon to select the 'manufacturer name'. Then, choose the first option, which is DJI.
- 6 Click the magnifier sign to choose the 'drone model'
- 7 Choose the first option
- 8 Enter your drone's serial number (SN), which can be found inside your battery box.
Step 5
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- 9 Check the options that describes how you intend to use your drone.
We recommend selecting the first and second options, 'entertainment' and 'drone photography', as the other choices might draw special attention.
Step 6
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- 10 Drag and drop or click to upload an exterior photo of your drone.
- 11 Drag and drop or click to upload a photo containing the drone's serial number (SN)
- 12 Click on the 'Complete Registration' button to finalize the process.
Upon completing the registration, the system will send you a QR code via email.
Step 7
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Once you finish all the steps mentioned above, you will be redirected to this page, where you can proceed to check out or have your QR code sent to your email.
查看=View; 发送二维码=Send the QR code to the email address you used for signing up.
