Since October2024, DJI the global leader in consumer drones has encountered a major roadblock: US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is detaining shipments at ports, citing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).That act enables CBP to presume goods wholly or in part from Chinas Xinjiang region involve forced labor, barring them unless proven otherwise.
DJI firmly disputes any forcedlabor ties, insisting production is based in Shenzhen or Malaysia never Xinjiang and emphasising its absence from the UFLPA Entity List.The impact on availability is stark: DJIs US online store lists all models as sold out, and retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, B&H Photo, and Adorama report critically low inventory.
A range of models remain affected from the compact Mini4Pro and the versatile Air3S, to the cinematic Mavic3 and Inspire3.
So much so, the new flagship Mavic4Pro never officially launched in America due to customs uncertainty!Drone pilots confirm the issue spans from customs offices in Kentucky to inconsistent enforcement across ports.
While smaller shipments sometimes slip through, larger consignments are routinely snagged.Advertisement - scroll for more contentDJI US customs crisis: Not a ban, but a policy tangleDJI clarifies that this isnt a ban; its a customs-related misunderstanding.
The CBP, enforcing UFLPA, interprets even partial Chinese origin as grounds to withhold goods.
DJI has mobilized documentation supplychain audits, ISO45001 certification, and CSR frameworks aligned with UN and OECD standards to prove product provenance.
Notably, DJI is not on the UFLPA Entity List.Reportedly, the issue affects mostly drones, though batteries and electronics are sometimes held too.
The Verge also points to broader geopolitical drivers tariffs, export controls, and safety concerns though DJI emphasizes the core issue is humanrights-related, not security-based.Legislative tensions compound the problem.
Congress is reviewing Chinese drone use under the Countering CCP Drones Act; meanwhile, the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act mandates a federal security audit of DJI and a Covered List FCC ban by December23,2025.
The Commerce Department is also evaluating broader restrictions on Chinese drones and components.Despite intense scrutiny, no national ban is in place.
DJI drones remain legal to own and fly in the US.
Its simply become dramatically harder to buy them.DJIs October2024 statement termed the congestion a misunderstanding under the UFLPA, assuring customers that shipments are legal and needs no legislative linkage.
The July2025 update reiterates the issue and calls on US customers to petition CBP via the Drone Advocacy Alliance, to urge release of compliant shipments.
DJI is aware of the challenges our customers have been facing in obtaining some of our products and services in the US market.
We remain firmly committed to our US customers and are actively exploring all avenues of engagement with the US Government to demonstrate our compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA).
The available evidence clearly supports DJIs compliance, and we believe that if judged on its merits this matter should be resolved promptly.For now, DJI remains tethered at the border.
US drone pilots and professionals are caught in a standoff: existing drones fly freely, but new ones and flagship models are stalled outside.
DJI insists that transparency and documentation will win the day.
But unless policy starts catching up with evidence, US airspace may remain surprisingly grounded.More:DJI expands Power lineup with mighty new Power 2000 stationFTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.