DJI Drones Suspended?! What Does This Mean?

On, October 16th, 2024, US Customs suspended the imports of some drones from the company DJI. It appears that this is not related to the ongoing legislative efforts (the Gesetz zur Bekämpfung von CCP-Drohnen), to ban the sale and use of DJI drones in the Vereinigte Staaten. This short video aims to provide completely informative content without interjecting personal opinions. Readers are invited to express their thoughts and opinions in the comments.

Reason for Suspension

The suspension is related to accusations that DJI has been using forced labor in their manufacturing process. This action is linked to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, created in 2022 to prevent Chinese companies from engaging in forced labor in the Xinjiang region.

Is This Related to Legislative Efforts?

It appears that this suspension is not related to the continued legislative effort to ban the sale and use of DJI drones in the United States. The reason for the suspension is specifically tied to the forced labor accusations.

DJI’s Response

DJI published a letter strongly denying any involvement in forced labor at any stage of their manufacturing process. They stated that their products are manufactured in Shenzhen or Malaysia.

Potential Impact

This action by US Customs and Border Protection could potentially lead to a disruption in the US supply chain. This could cause a very adverse effect in the commercial, industrial, and recreational sectors for any users of DJI drones.

Supply Chain Concerns

It’s unclear if this import suspension will result in American consumers having to wait longer or even receive a drone they ordered, like the A3S, for instance. If there is a delay, it’s not because of DJI. Any delay would be because of Customs and Border Protection.

DJI’s Official Statement

On the official DJI blog “Viewpoints,” DJI states that this is a customs matter, and the evidence clearly demonstrates DJI’s compliance with existing laws. They emphasize that this is not a ban and does not appear to be linked to the proposed legislation against DJI in the US Congress. DJI is actively working with the CBP to provide the necessary documentation demonstrating their compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

Next Steps

DJI seems confident that this issue will eventually be resolved. However, the timeline is uncertain. For now, it’s a wait-and-see situation. More information is expected on October 23rd.

Advice for Consumers

If you just ordered the A3S, do not cancel your order. Wait to see what happens. If you get a notification stating that your drone is held up in customs, then you need to make a decision:

• Return your order, cancel it, and get a refund (DJI will provide refunds)
• Wait it out until the issue is resolved

The decision will be up to you based on your individual circumstances.

Lingering Questions

Many people are wondering if this action is truly not related to efforts to ban DJI drones in the US. The answer to this question remains uncertain, and we’ll have to wait for more information to emerge.

This situation is likely to result in a lot of frustration for many people. Updates will be provided as soon as more information becomes available.

Remember to fly safe and fly smart.