China imposes export controls on drones with ranges of 300 kilometres or more and specialised drilling equipment
Key Facts
China's Ministry of Commerce announced export controls on specialised drilling equipment on 19 October 2026, alongside changes to rules governing drones and dredger components, as part of measures covering equipment and technologies with military and civilian uses. The drone list includes a category with a range of 300 kilometres or more, with other categories listed according to flight and engine specifications. The ministry said the equipment concerned "clearly has both military and civilian uses". It added that "applications that comply with the rules will be approved". It said it had notified in advance the countries and regions with which China has export-control dialogue mechanisms.
The drilling equipment rules distinguish between exports to sensitive countries and regions that have disputes with China and those destined for other global markets. Shipments to sensitive destinations require prior licensing, while exports to other destinations receive an export document through information registration, according to the ministry's decision. The licensing requirement also extends to entities and individuals outside China that transfer or supply covered equipment of Chinese origin to those sensitive destinations. The decision stipulated that "exports to the aforementioned countries and regions are prohibited without a licence". China's exports in the broader category covering coal or rock cutters and self-propelled tunnelling machinery totalled about 793 million dollars in 2025, according to United Nations data cited by Reuters.
The tunnelling equipment list extends to components specially designed for the covered machinery, according to details published by the Ministry of Commerce. These components include cutting tools and cutting discs used in tunnelling equipment. The list also includes screw conveyors and tunnel lining erectors among the controlled parts. The rules also cover remanufacturing technology specially designed for the listed machinery and components. For mobile excavators, the listing criteria include the ability to cross a vertical obstacle more than 1.2 metres high.
In the drone sector, the list covers aircraft and airships whose flight can be controlled beyond the operator's natural line of sight and whose maximum flight duration is 3 hours or more. The rules list aviation engines specially designed for unmanned aircraft or airships with maximum continuous power exceeding 16 kilowatts. The controls extend to flight-control technology, including control of individual aircraft and swarms. Autonomous navigation technology is also subject to the rules, according to the ministry's list. The provision relating to aircraft range exempts model aircraft specially designed for recreation or competitions.
The ministry attributed the changes to aircraft rules to developments in industry and technology, saying that "some products that were previously advanced have now become widely available consumer products". The rules provide streamlined arrangements for eligible exporters, including general licences, subject to statutory conditions. Eligibility requirements include effective compliance systems and relatively stable export channels and end users. China had already tightened its review of exports of listed drones, components and technologies to the United States. Those exports are subject to stricter review on a case-by-case basis, with licensing facilitation excluded, according to the decision governing them.
The dredger controls cover slurry pumps with an inlet internal diameter of 0.55 metres or more, according to the official decision. For these pumps to be listed, their maximum speed must also be 400 revolutions per minute or less. Both the diameter and speed conditions must be met for a pump to fall within this controlled category. The list also includes dredger cutters with an outer ring diameter of 2.1 metres or more. Exporters of listed components must apply for a licence from the competent commerce authority under China's State Council.
On customs procedures for dual-use goods, the clarification rules give exporters 7 working days from receipt of notification to submit the required documents. These include the customs declaration, goods export contract, invoice and transport documents establishing the shipment's destination. Customs will not release the goods concerned while clarification is under way and their status under export controls is being determined. These procedures extend to exports through cross-border e-commerce, travellers' baggage, mail and express delivery. Clearance procedures resume if the examination concludes that the goods are not dual-use items. The drilling equipment controls take effect on 18 November 2026, according to the date specified in the ministry's decision.