This is why some DJI drones are nonetheless caught at U.S. Customs

In the event you’ve had bother getting your arms on DJI’s latest drones these days, you’re not alone. Some DJI drones are caught at U.S. Customs.

One reader just lately shared their rollercoaster expertise with the brand new DJI Air 3S: after ordering instantly from DJI, the drone shipped from Hong Kong, made it so far as Anchorage, Alaska—after which obtained caught in U.S. Customs. After a 10-day standstill, the shopper canceled the order. The package deal was in the end returned to Hong Kong.

Whereas this would possibly sound like a fluke, it’s not. DJI has now confirmed that a few of its drones are being held on the U.S. border on account of what the corporate calls a “customs misunderstanding.”

“That is associated to the customs misunderstanding we first shared final October, we first shared final October,” a DJI spokesperson instructed The Drone Woman, referencing DJI’s late 2024 weblog submit. “It has affected DJI’s means to import choose drones into america.”

The hang-up facilities round U.S. Customs and Border Safety’s scrutiny of sure DJI drones, particularly the DJI Air 3S, which is my favourite drone for journey images. Although actual particulars stay obscure, the customs difficulty centered across the Uyghur Pressured Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). The regulation, which was handed in 2021, is designed to forestall merchandise made with compelled labor from coming into the U.S. market. And because it seems U.S. customs has cited that regulation as the explanation for holding up imports of choose DJI drones, together with the Air 3S. I dug into a little bit extra right here in the event you’re serious about studying extra.

However months later, it nonetheless means some clients are having a tough time getting shipments in. For drone pilots attempting to purchase a brand new DJI drone, right here’s what it’s best to know.

In the event you’re ready on an current DJI order…

The excellent news is that DJI says it’s actively working with U.S. Customs and has submitted all required documentation. The dangerous information? It’s a ready recreation.

“At this stage, we now have submitted all of the requested documentation, and the ball is now of their court docket,” mentioned the DJI spokesperson. “We perceive the frustration amongst our clients and are hopeful that this might be resolved quickly.”

Till then, clients who purchase instantly from DJI.com could proceed to see sporadic achievement—particularly for high-demand fashions just like the Air 3S.

DJI says that orders from DJI.com are normally fulfilled from native warehouses, however relying on stock, they might ship from abroad. And if it ships from overseas, there’s an opportunity it might get held up like our reader’s.

What about shopping for from third-party retailers?

Shopping for from a U.S.-based retailer like Drone Nerds or B&H Photograph would possibly look like a safer wager which may be just right for you. That mentioned, even some U.S. retailers have restricted inventory proper now and are asking clients to pay upfront for preorders, with no assured supply date.

In brief: if you’d like your DJI drone now, it’s a little bit of a raffle — regardless of the place you purchase.

DJI Care Refresh and repairs: are components in danger too?

Whereas the problem proper now appears centered on new drones coming into the nation, readers additionally raised issues about alternative components and the DJI Care Refresh program. Might tariff issues or customs delays have an effect on your means to get repairs?

DJI didn’t supply many specifics right here, however acknowledged it’s nonetheless assessing the affect of tariffs on clients who want repairs or alternative components beneath DJI Care Refresh.

“We’re nonetheless assessing the affect of tariffs internally and can comply with up when we now have extra info to share,” the spokesperson mentioned.

Identical goes for whether or not DJI will modify pricing or provide chain methods in response to ongoing U.S.-China commerce tensions.

What ought to drone pilots do now?

In the event you’re available in the market for a brand new drone, right here’s what I’d suggest:

• Be ready for delays when ordering from DJI.com till the customs difficulty is totally resolved. If buying instantly with DJI, be ready for doable delays or cancellations.
• Name forward to U.S. retailers earlier than putting an order to verify in-stock availability, and perceive their return or cancellation insurance policies for preorders.
• Don’t low cost your outdated drone simply but. One in every of my readers simply obtained their DJI Air 2 out of a tree—the place it had been caught for months—and after a little bit DW-40 and new props, it’s flying like a champ.

In different phrases: in case your drone nonetheless works, this can be a superb time to understand what you’ve obtained—and possibly maintain off on upgrading till DJI’s customs headache clears.

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