DJI hints that tariff price hikes are coming — so get these drones now

Posted by Dronerator

After months of frustrating customs delays and murky supply chain issues, DJI’s most sought-after drones are finally back in stock, and DJI is dangling a juicy incentive to get customers to act fast. That’s because tariff price hikes appear to be looming.

DJI this week restocked several of its most popular drones and combos. That’s good news for customers who have cited issues getting drones shipped to them, whether for issues tied to U.S. customs or merely being out of stock. But there’s another reason to jump on buying DJI drones now other than them simply being back in stock: price hikes appear to be coming.

In an email sent out to DJI customers on Thursday, DJI added the following warning: “Get yours at pre-tariff pricing—limited supply, don’t miss out!”

Consider this your sign to upgrade your drone at a good price while you can.

How tariff price hikes are hitting the drone market

By now you know: the U.S. is imposing new tariffs on a number of products imported from China. Though the figures and latest status on tariffs is constantly changing day by day, at publication time the Whie House is adding 145% in new tariffs on many Chinese goods, with some products facing 245% tariffs.

Those added costs are likely to be passed directly to consumers in part or in full. For drone pilots, that means drone prices will very likely rise. But don’t panic yet.

For now, DJI appears to be offloading existing U.S. warehouse inventory before price hikes kick in. In other words, if you’ve been eyeing a new drone, now may be your last chance to buy at current prices.

What drones are back in stock (and when you’ll get them)

Here are a few of the standout DJI drones currently available, with estimated shipping and arrival dates:

DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo (DJI RC 2)

Sally French, The Drone Girl, with the DJI Air 3S and the DJI RC 2. (Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)
  • Price: $1,599
  • Estimated shipping: April 21
  • Estimated arrival: April 24
  • Why it’s hot: The Air 3S is one of DJI’s most powerful midsize drones, featuring dual cameras and extended flight time. This Fly More Combo also includes the DJI RC 2 remote with built-in screen.

Read more in my DJI Air 3S review.

DJI Mini 4 Pro (DJI RC-N2)

The DJI Mini 4 Pro. (Photo by Caroline Dobrez)
  • Price: $759
  • Estimated shipping: April 17
  • Estimated arrival: April 23
  • Why it’s hot: Ultra-lightweight and beginner-friendly, the Mini 4 Pro packs pro-level features (like omnidirectional obstacle sensing) into a sub-249g body that’s travel-ready and FAA-friendly.

Read more in my DJI Mini 4 Pro review.

DJI Avata 2 Fly More Combo (Three Batteries)

  • Price: $1,199 (on sale, normally $1,493)
  • Estimated shipping: April 17
  • Estimated arrival: April 23
  • Why it’s hot: This FPV drone just launched and is already on sale. It includes three batteries, DJI Goggles 3, and the RC Motion 3 controller—everything you need for immersive, high-speed flights.

Read more in my DJI Avata 2 review.

Why you should buy your next drone now

Between U.S.-China trade tensions and the customs issues DJI recently faced, drone availability has been a bit of a wild ride this year. Just recently, many DJI orders were getting held up at customs or completely returned to sender.

Now that stock is flowing again and DJI is signaling price increases ahead, this may be the best time to buy for the foreseeable future.

If you’ve been holding off on buying a new drone because of shipping delays, customs woes or just plain bad luck — this might be your moment. DJI drones are in stock, shipping fast and still priced below where they’re likely headed.

So whether you’re upgrading your rig or finally buying your first quad, don’t wait too long. Once this batch is gone, it might come back… with a higher price tag.

The post DJI hints that tariff price hikes are coming — so get these drones now appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Here’s why some DJI drones are still stuck at U.S. Customs

Posted by Dronerator

If you’ve had trouble getting your hands on DJI’s newest drones lately, you’re not alone. Some DJI drones are stuck at U.S. Customs.

One reader recently shared their rollercoaster experience with the new DJI Air 3S: after ordering directly from DJI, the drone shipped from Hong Kong, made it as far as Anchorage, Alaska—and then got stuck in U.S. Customs. After a 10-day standstill, the customer canceled the order. The package was ultimately returned to Hong Kong.

While this might sound like a fluke, it’s not. DJI has now confirmed that some of its drones are being held at the U.S. border due to what the company calls a “customs misunderstanding.”

“This is related to the customs misunderstanding we first shared last October, we first shared last October,” a DJI spokesperson told The Drone Girl, referencing DJI’s late 2024 blog post. “It has affected DJI’s ability to import select drones into the United States.”

The hang-up centers around U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s scrutiny of certain DJI drones, namely the DJI Air 3S, which is my favorite drone for travel photography. Though exact details remain vague, the customs issue centered around the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). The law, which was passed in 2021, is designed to prevent products made with forced labor from entering the U.S. market. And as it turns out U.S. customs has cited that law as the reason for holding up imports of select DJI drones, including the Air 3S. I dug into a little more here if you’re interested in learning more.

But months later, it still means some customers are having a hard time getting shipments in. For drone pilots trying to buy a new DJI drone, here’s what you should know.

If you’re waiting on an existing DJI order…

The good news is that DJI says it’s actively working with U.S. Customs and has submitted all required documentation. The bad news? It’s a waiting game.

“At this stage, we have submitted all the requested documentation, and the ball is now in their court,” said the DJI spokesperson. “We understand the frustration among our customers and are hopeful that this will be resolved soon.”

Until then, customers who buy directly from DJI.com may continue to see sporadic fulfillment—especially for high-demand models like the Air 3S.

DJI says that orders from DJI.com are usually fulfilled from local warehouses, but depending on inventory, they may ship from overseas. And if it ships from abroad, there’s a chance it could get held up like our reader’s.

What about buying from third-party retailers?

Buying from a U.S.-based retailer like Drone Nerds or B&H Photo might seem like a safer bet that might work for you. That said, even some U.S. retailers have limited stock right now and are asking customers to pay upfront for preorders, with no guaranteed delivery date.

In short: if you want your DJI drone now, it’s a bit of a gamble — no matter where you buy.

DJI Care Refresh and repairs: are parts at risk too?

While the issue right now seems focused on new drones entering the country, readers also raised concerns about replacement parts and the DJI Care Refresh program. Could tariff complications or customs delays affect your ability to get repairs?

DJI didn’t offer many specifics here, but acknowledged it’s still assessing the impact of tariffs on customers who need repairs or replacement parts under DJI Care Refresh.

“We’re still assessing the impact of tariffs internally and will follow up when we have more information to share,” the spokesperson said.

Same goes for whether DJI will adjust pricing or supply chain strategies in response to ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions.

What should drone pilots do now?

If you’re in the market for a new drone, here’s what I’d recommend:

  • Be prepared for delays when ordering from DJI.com until the customs issue is fully resolved. If shopping directly with DJI, be prepared for possible delays or cancellations.
  • Call ahead to U.S. retailers before placing an order to confirm in-stock availability, and understand their return or cancellation policies for preorders.
  • Don’t discount your old drone just yet. One of my readers just got their DJI Air 2 out of a tree—where it had been stuck for months—and after a little DW-40 and new props, it’s flying like a champ.

In other words: if your drone still works, this may be a good time to appreciate what you’ve got—and maybe hold off on upgrading until DJI’s customs headache clears.

The post Here’s why some DJI drones are still stuck at U.S. Customs appeared first on The Drone Girl.