China CN
Every civilian drone, even sub-250 g models, must be real-name registered on CAAC's UOM platform — foreigners can use a passport, but still need a Chinese mobile number, so this is normally done after arrival. Since around May 2026, drones cannot be carried into Beijing (inside the 6th Ring Road) at all, registered or not.
Your plan
Choose your home country (top right) to see steps tailored to you.
2 things to sort out before you fly
- Register your drone in China
Foreign visitors choose 'Foreign Passport Holder Registration' on UOM, uploading a passport photo, a photo of yourself holding your passport, the visa/entry-stamp page, a Chinese address (a hotel is fine) and — critically — a Chinese mobile number, so this is normally completed only after arrival with a local SIM. Passport name/details must match exactly (spacing, capitalisation, symbols); mismatches are a common rejection reason. Free. Allow about 3 days before your trip.
Open official page - Make sure Remote ID broadcasts
Registered drones receive an 8-character real-name registration mark that must be displayed on the aircraft, and operators must keep the UOM app's electronic geofencing/status data updated before each flight. This functions similarly to a Remote ID/registration-broadcast requirement rather than a separate standalone system.
- Bringing your drone in
Resident travellers: up to RMB 5,000 of personal-use goods duty-free on arrival. Non-resident (foreign) travellers: up to RMB 2,000. A single, already-owned drone carried for your own use should generally fall under this 'reasonable quantity for personal use' allowance, but it's subject to the customs officer's discretion. Batteries: Carry-on only. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100–160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares).
- Before each flight
All drones — any weight, including sub-250 g 'micro' models — must be real-name registered on the CAAC UOM platform before flying · Micro drones (empty weight ≤ 0.25 kg): registration only, must stay ≤ 50 m AGL and ≤ 40 km/h · Light drones (empty weight ≤ 4 kg / MTOW ≤ 7 kg) flown recreationally: registration plus a free online safety test, VLOS only, ≤ 120 m altitude, ≤ 500 m radius from the pilot
Flying
- All drones — any weight, including sub-250 g 'micro' models — must be real-name registered on the CAAC UOM platform before flying
- Micro drones (empty weight ≤ 0.25 kg): registration only, must stay ≤ 50 m AGL and ≤ 40 km/h
- Light drones (empty weight ≤ 4 kg / MTOW ≤ 7 kg) flown recreationally: registration plus a free online safety test, VLOS only, ≤ 120 m altitude, ≤ 500 m radius from the pilot
- Small/medium/large drones, BVLOS, or any commercial light-category work need a full UAS pilot licence, and medium/large drones also need CAAC airworthiness certification
- Since roughly May 2026, drones and their listed core components cannot be transported into Beijing at all — by air, high-speed rail, bus or car — inside the 6th Ring Road (covering the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace)
- Many famous scenic spots (e.g. Zhangjiajie, Jiuzhaigou, Mount Huangshan, sections of the Great Wall) have their own posted local no-fly bans
- Flying an unregistered drone can draw a fine of up to RMB 20,000 (~EUR 2,500)
Commercial use: Commercial light-category operation needs an operator certificate plus mandatory third-party liability insurance; small/medium/large commercial operations need a full UAS pilot licence and, for medium/large, CAAC airworthiness certification.
Registration & classes
| Registration | Yes (all drones) Foreign visitors choose 'Foreign Passport Holder Registration' on UOM, uploading a passport photo, a photo of yourself holding your passport, the visa/entry-stamp page, a Chinese address (a hotel is fine) and — critically — a Chinese mobile number, so this is normally completed only after arrival with a local SIM. Passport name/details must match exactly (spacing, capitalisation, symbols); mismatches are a common rejection reason. |
|---|---|
| Pilot test | Sometimes (online, from 250 g) Light-category recreational safety test (online, via UOM). Micro drones under 250 g need only registration, no test. Light drones (up to 4 kg empty / 7 kg MTOW) flown recreationally within VLOS/120 m/500 m limits need a free online safety test, not a full licence. A full UAS pilot licence (theory + practical) is required for small/medium/large drones, BVLOS operations, or any commercial light-category work. |
| Remote ID | Yes Registered drones receive an 8-character real-name registration mark that must be displayed on the aircraft, and operators must keep the UOM app's electronic geofencing/status data updated before each flight. This functions similarly to a Remote ID/registration-broadcast requirement rather than a separate standalone system. |
| Insurance | Depends Not required for personal/recreational micro or light-category flying within standard limits. Mandatory third-party liability insurance applies to commercial light-category operators and to small/medium/large drone operations. |
| Foreign registration accepted | No Registration needs a Chinese mobile number, so most visitors complete it only after arriving and getting a local SIM — budget a few days for account review before you rely on flying. Passport name and document details must match exactly (spacing, capitalisation, symbols) — mismatches are a common cause of rejection. Since roughly May 2026 you must also 'activate' your drone in the UOM app before each flight, and you still cannot carry a drone into Beijing (inside the 6th Ring Road) under any circumstances. |
Weight classes
| Class | Weight | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Micro | ≤ 0.25 kg (250 g) empty weight | Real-name registration only, no licence. Must stay ≤ 50 m AGL and ≤ 40 km/h. |
| Light | ≤ 4 kg empty / ≤ 7 kg MTOW | Registration + free online safety test for recreational VLOS flight (≤ 120 m altitude, ≤ 500 m radius). Commercial use needs an operator certificate and liability insurance. |
| Small | ≤ 15 kg empty / ≤ 25 kg MTOW | Registration, full UAS pilot licence and operational approval required. |
| Medium | MTOW 25–150 kg (empty weight > 15 kg) | As Small, plus CAAC airworthiness certification. |
| Large | > 150 kg MTOW | Full manned-aircraft-style certification, licensing and operational approval. |
Import & export
- Resident travellers: up to RMB 5,000 of personal-use goods duty-free on arrival. Non-resident (foreign) travellers: up to RMB 2,000. A single, already-owned drone carried for your own use should generally fall under this 'reasonable quantity for personal use' allowance, but it's subject to the customs officer's discretion.
- No drone-specific radio type-approval requirement for a traveller's own single device was confirmed. This customs question is separate from the mandatory real-name flight registration described above, which applies regardless of where the drone was bought.
- Batteries: Carry-on only. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100–160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares).
- Bringing your own already-owned drone as personal luggage is generally not restricted; new/unopened or multiple units risk being treated as a commercial import and taxed or scrutinised.
- Since roughly May 2026, drones and their listed core components cannot be carried into Beijing at all, by any mode of transport — plan any Beijing leg of a trip accordingly.
- A June 2026 customs announcement (see export notes) tightened rules mainly for businesses shipping drones out of China, not for a tourist's own drone brought in for personal use.
Export
- China Customs Announcement No. 78 of 2026 (effective 30 June 2026) tightened export-declaration requirements for drones, unmanned airships, related equipment/components, and civilian counter-drone systems — exporters must flag export-controlled items and supply full contract/technical documentation.
- Certain drone technology falls under China's dual-use export-control regime (administered with MOFCOM/Customs); this mainly affects commercial exporters and manufacturers, not a tourist leaving with the drone they arrived with.
Costs
| Operator registration | Free Validity: No fixed expiry, but must be kept up to date if your details or the drone's change; since roughly May 2026 the drone must also be 'activated' in the UOM app before it will fly. |
|---|---|
| Light-category recreational safety test (online, via UOM) | Free |
| Import taxes | ? % duty + 13 % VAT Usually only for drones you buy abroad and bring in to keep. |
Guides
Flying in China as a visitor Visitors
- Get a Chinese SIM on arrival
UOM registration requires a Chinese mobile number for verification, so this comes first for almost all visitors.
- Register on UOM as a foreign passport holder
Passport photo, a photo of yourself holding your passport, visa/entry-stamp page, a Chinese address (hotel is fine) and your Chinese phone number. Open
- Pass the free online safety test if your drone is 250 g+
Needed for recreational 'light' category flying within VLOS, 120 m altitude and 500 m radius limits.
- Check local no-fly rules at each site
Many scenic spots post their own drone bans on top of national airspace rules.
- Never plan to carry your drone into Beijing
Since roughly May 2026, drones and listed core components cannot be transported inside Beijing's 6th Ring Road by any means, registered or not.
Sources
- CAAC – Interim Regulation on the Administration of the Flight of Unmanned Aircraft (official regulation text) · accessed 23 Sept 2026
- CAAC UOM – Civil Unmanned Aircraft Comprehensive Management Platform (real-name registration) · accessed 23 Sept 2026
- Sina Finance – summary of China Customs Announcement 2026 No. 78 on drone export declarations · accessed 23 Sept 2026
- Kosupa Travel – step-by-step UOM real-name registration guide for foreign visitors · accessed 23 Sept 2026
How the score is built
- Operator registration−15
- Pilot test (online)−5
- Remote ID−8
- Mandatory insurance−3
- Night flight restricted−3
- Visitors need a flight permit−20
- Visitors must register locally−10
- Duty + VAT ≈ 18 %−11
- Radio / type certification−4
Every score starts at 100 and loses points for each requirement. How scoring works