United States US
Recreational flyers take the free online TRUST test. Drones of 250 g or more must be registered with the FAA and broadcast Remote ID. Visitors register online too.
Your plan
Choose your home country (top right) to see steps tailored to you.
1 thing to sort out before you fly
- No registration needed
A 249 g drone with camera doesn't need to be registered in United States.
- Pass the TRUST (Recreational UAS Safety Test)
Online. Free. Free and can't be failed. Carry the completion certificate.
Open official page - Bringing your drone in
Visitors can bring a drone for personal use and take it back out duty-free. New drones bought abroad by residents are dutiable above the $800 exemption. Batteries: Carry-on only. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100–160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares).
- Before each flight
Fly at or below 400 ft (122 m) and keep the drone in sight · Get LAANC authorisation before flying in controlled airspace near airports · No drones in National Parks
Open official page
Flying
- Fly at or below 400 ft (122 m) and keep the drone in sight
- Get LAANC authorisation before flying in controlled airspace near airports
- No drones in National Parks
- Night flights need anti-collision lights visible for 3 miles
- Give way to all manned aircraft
Commercial use: Any non-recreational flight needs a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (in-person knowledge test at an FAA testing centre).
Official airspace mapRegistration & classes
| Registration | Yes (from 250 g) Register on FAADroneZone and mark the registration number on the drone. |
|---|---|
| Pilot test | Yes (online) TRUST (Recreational UAS Safety Test). Free and can't be failed. Carry the completion certificate. |
| Remote ID | Yes (from 250 g) Every registered drone must broadcast Standard Remote ID (built-in or add-on module). |
| Insurance | No Not required federally. Some states, parks and venues ask for it. |
| Foreign registration accepted | No Foreign operators register on FAADroneZone and receive a certificate of registration before the trip. Visitors flying recreationally still need the TRUST certificate. |
Weight classes
| Class | Weight | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Under 250 g (recreational) | < 250 g | TRUST certificate only. No registration or Remote ID. |
| 250 g – 25 kg | 250 g – 25 kg | Register, mark the drone, broadcast Remote ID, TRUST certificate. |
| Commercial (Part 107) | < 25 kg | Remote Pilot Certificate and Part 107 registration, any weight. |
| 25 kg and more | ≥ 25 kg | Special exemption required. |
Import & export
- Visitors can bring a drone for personal use and take it back out duty-free. New drones bought abroad by residents are dutiable above the $800 exemption.
- Radio equipment must be FCC-authorised. New foreign-made drone models added to the FCC Covered List can't get new authorisations; check the current status.
- Batteries: Carry-on only. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100–160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares).
- Tariffs on Chinese-made electronics changed several times in 2025–26; check the current HTS rate before importing commercially.
Export
- Export Administration Regulations (EAR) control some high-end drones and components.
Costs
| Operator registration | 5 USD (≈ €4.6) Validity: 3 years |
|---|---|
| TRUST (Recreational UAS Safety Test) | Free |
| Import taxes | ? % duty + 0 % VAT Usually only for drones you buy abroad and bring in to keep. |
Guides
Flying in the US as a visitor Visitors
- Take TRUST
Free online safety test from an FAA-approved provider. Save the certificate. Open
- Register your drone (250 g+)
Register as a foreign operator on FAADroneZone ($5, valid 3 years). Open
- Check Remote ID
Make sure your drone broadcasts Standard Remote ID or fit a broadcast module.
- Check airspace
Use a B4UFLY app. Near airports, request LAANC authorisation in the app. Open
Sources
- FAA – Recreational flyers · accessed 23 Sept 2026
- FAA – Remote ID · accessed 23 Sept 2026
How the score is built
- Operator registration−10
- Pilot test (online)−10
- Remote ID−8
- Visitors must register locally−10
- Duty + VAT ≈ 5 %−3
- Radio / type certification−6
Every score starts at 100 and loses points for each requirement. How scoring works