Buying DJi Drones in other countries

[olderrookie]

I’m a DJi follower in a Reddit DJi subreddit. Lots of talk of folks orderya drone to a shipping address in canada and that shipping address forwards it to uou. Also same for south korea orders thru esty or since I live in Southern California, folks going to the dji store in tijuana Mx, purchasing and crossing back across the border.
Question: asides from the legal aspects- would you be able to fly in the USA if purchased in another country?

 

[GadgetGuy]

Yes. No issues flying in the USA, as long as you register as a drone pilot, pass the TRUST exam, and get your 107, if needed, for any flying other than strictly for fun. DJI will not prevent your activation, nor prevent you from flying just because you acquired it outside of the USA.

The challenge is getting it back into the United States without paying the current 55% tariffs on new Chinese manufactured drones. You are responsible for whatever Customs Declaration you make when crossing the border. Smuggling in an undeclared drone can result in forfeiture of the drone, fines that exceed the unpaid tariffs, and possible incarceration. You are voluntarily becoming a drone mule instead of a drug mule. Drug cartels expect a certain percentage of their drug mules to be caught. Feeling lucky?