DHL Gives Up on Trying to Get Chinese Merch to US

Suren · Sunday at 12:57 PM

That's gonna be tough to get the Mavic 4 Pro then.

mavic3usa · Sunday at 2:09 PM

On Saturday, I received what is likely my last small purchase shipment from China, a couple of batteries for my Insta X4. There are American sellers but much cheaper from China and free shipping. The package was ordered 10 days ago and arrived by USPS and while I have received thousands from overseas, this one has a USPS sticker completely covering the original sticker so you could not see any of the details. Normally they are side by side or partially covered but this one only had my address and the USPS tracking barcode....that's it, nothing else. Not sure what that means and it's hard to tell where USPS stands today on this topic but I have suspended any further small purchases from China since I won't know how it ships and if it will be held for customs or sent back or whatever. The uncertainty leave me unable to move forward for now unless it is a must-have. No plans to pay more to do business with a seller located elsewhere.

Mrktn · Sunday at 2:51 PM

Suren said:
That's gonna be tough to get the Mavic 4 Pro then.

Can’t even get just the drone for under US$800

mavic3usa · Sunday at 3:20 PM

Mrktn said:
Can’t even get just the drone for under US$800

Even when you order a full kit or a fly more kit, lately it seems DJI has been splitting up shipments among the various carriers. This may be a strategy to avoid tariffs with some common carriers but it sounds like this is over for DJI at DHL HK which is as you mentioned appears to be the drone only package.

Mrktn · Sunday at 3:23 PM

mavic3usa said:
Even when you order a full kit or a fly more kit, lately it seems DJI has been splitting up shipments among the various carriers. This may be a strategy to avoid tariffs with some common carriers but it sounds like this is over for DJI at DHL HK which is as you mentioned appears to be the drone only package.

I guess some HK / Chinese companies under mark the value of shipments too, but I read the US customs have cottoned on to this

GregS · Monday at 8:07 AM

GuessI won't upgrade to the Mini 4 Pro and keep my Phantom 4 Pro v1 and Mavic Pro. They have been good to me. Hope they keep it up!

kenjancef · Monday at 9:52 AM

GregS said:
GuessI won't upgrade to the Mini 4 Pro and keep my Phantom 4 Pro v1 and Mavic Pro. They have been good to me. Hope they keep it up!

Couldn't you order from Adorama, Drone Nerds or Best Buy? With all the shipping issues a month or so ago, I got an Air 3S from Drone Nerds.

Flying Shroppie · Monday at 11:44 AM

Had an interesting situation yesterday. I was trying to order a replacement battery for a DJI Neo unit. Normally far cheaper if ordered direct from China but it turned out to be 33% cheaper when ordered from a UK retailer. The Chinese price has rocketed. It must be hurting you guys in the US

HoozierDroneDaddy · Monday at 12:48 PM

If you need something, check with Drone Nerds. I had three orders returned to China through DHL. Drone Nerds were shipping from their own warehouse from China and all their orders were coming through. Mine and others have arrived within a week. Don't know if it has changed so you need to call.

GregS · Monday at 1:01 PM

kenjancef said:
Couldn't you order from Adorama, Drone Nerds or Best Buy? With all the shipping issues a month or so ago, I got an Air 3S from Drone Nerds.

I could...but since I have 2 good drones now, can't see spending $1100+ for another drone. I'm 80 yrs old, so should just be happy I have drones to fly. I don't even use all the features I have now. Also have a set of DJI White Goggles that I never use. Too busy to really have fun with my toys!...or, maybe I just have too many toys!

alfo2010 · Monday at 2:06 PM

kenjancef said:
Couldn't you order from Adorama, Drone Nerds or Best Buy? With all the shipping issues a month or so ago, I got an Air 3S from Drone Nerds.

I have an Air 3S and it is an awesome drone. I was going to buy the Mavic 4 Pro bundle and accessories but at this point I have n information about the price in Canada. If the price is 4K or more I'll give the Mavic 4 Pro aa pass and maybe update my Mini 4 Pro when the ne one comes out.

bkushner · Monday at 11:13 PM

GregS said:
GuessI won't upgrade to the Mini 4 Pro and keep my Phantom 4 Pro v1 and Mavic Pro. They have been good to me. Hope they keep it up!

I believe the camera on the Phantom 4 Pro is the best one I've used and I've had all the drones released since.

GadgetGuy · Tuesday at 10:58 PM

kenjancef said:
Couldn't you order from Adorama, Drone Nerds or Best Buy? With all the shipping issues a month or so ago, I got an Air 3S from Drone Nerds.

Not if they can't get them either.
They can only sell what stock they already have on hand, which is finite, and will preclude any unreleased drones, such as the Mavic 4 Pro.
All roads of U.S. delivery from DJI currently originate from China.
However, some have been arriving from Hong Kong.

bkushner · 2025-04-23T03:35:18-0400

GadgetGuy said:
Not if they can't get them either.
They can only sell what stock they already have on hand, which is finite, and will preclude any unreleased drones, such as the Mavic 4 Pro.
All roads of U.S. delivery from DJI currently originate from China.
However, some have been arriving from Hong Kong.

I know B&H never had stock. Adorama had a few and the. Drone Nerds. Many months after release. I got mine direct from DJI right before issues started.