DJI Mini 5 Pro U.S. Sales Ban: Despite no nationwide ban on DJI drones, American consumers are prevented from purchasing the new Mini 5 Pro model. This explains why.
In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated DJI Mini 5 Pro drone is not available in the US market. This development is due to a customs-related misunderstanding between DJI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which has reportedly impacted the distribution of the drone in the country.
The issue stems from the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, a law that requires U.S. Customs to assume products made in Xinjiang, China are made using forced labor. However, it's unclear if this misunderstanding affects individual shipments or travelers crossing the border.
DJI, the world's leading drone manufacturer, announced the release of the DJI Mini 5 Pro on September 17. Despite the global launch, the drone is not available on DJI's US webstore. Amazon US lists the DJI Mavic 4 Pro as out of stock, and the DJI Mini 4 Pro is available on Adorama for more than $200 higher than the original list price.
In a statement, DJI expressed concern that the security review mandated by the new legislation hasn't started yet, as the law didn't specify who would conduct the review or what would happen if it didn't start before the deadline at the end of 2025. The company also clarified that it does not manufacture any products nor source materials from Xinjiang.
The potential ban of DJI drones could still happen at the end of 2025, as per the new legislation that requires China-based drone brands to pass a security review. This has led to a surge in searches for alternatives to DJI, such as "DJI Canada," "DJI Mexico," and "Best Buy Canada," on the morning of the DJI Mini 5 Pro launch.
Hillary K. Grigonis, who leads the US coverage for Digital Camera World, recommends non-DJI drones in light of these developments. An American drone pilot who owns an aging DJI Mini 2 is concerned about the lack of stock, failure to bring new models to the US, and the potential drone ban, and can't buy the DJI Mini 5 Pro.
DJI remains committed to the US market, but the customs matter has undoubtedly created a significant hurdle. An editor's note states that this article has been updated with an official statement from a DJI representative.
As the situation unfolds, drone enthusiasts and professionals in the US are left in a wait-and-see mode, hoping for a resolution that will bring the DJI Mini 5 Pro and other upcoming DJI drones back to the US market.
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