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.