DJI issues urgent warning: 6 months until possible ban

[mavic3usa]

DJI is asking for our help.
If DJI won't make the M4P available in the US due to "issues" then it's like the upcoming Mini5Pro, the Avata3 and the NEO2 among others won't launch either.

What kind of "ban" is this anyway? Shouldn't it be more like, if the work is not completed then the ban is deferred, instead of the other way around?
Even with the EO, something tells me this won't get done and even if it does, the results will be "inconclusive" because we likely have bogus "intelligence" that tells us otherwise.

DJI issues urgent warning: 6 months until possible ban

DJI warns US drone users of a looming DJI ban if a crucial government review isn’t completed within 6 months.

dronedj.com

 

[JAW]

Full disclosure...this is an AI generated report from Google. The query I used was : "Are DJI drones banned?"

No, the United States has not issued a complete ban on DJI drones, but there are significant actions being taken against the company, and a potential ban is being considered.
Here's a breakdown of the situation:

1. Existing Restrictions:

• Federal Agencies: Federal agencies are currently banned from using Chinese-manufactured drones, including DJI, under the American Security Drone Act (ASDA) which became law as part of the 2024 NDAA.
• Government Blacklists: DJI has been added to several U.S. government blacklists based on national security concerns, including allegations of data sharing with the Chinese government and support for human rights abuses.

2. Proposed Legislation:

• Countering CCP Drones Act: This legislation aims to restrict or prohibit the purchase and use of DJI drones by federal agencies and government contractors. The House of Representatives passed a version of this bill, but the Senate's version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2025 did not include it.
• Potential Ban on New DJI Drones: The Countering CCP Drones Act could lead to DJI being added to the FCC's Covered List, which would effectively ban new DJI drones from being operated in the U.S. on communications infrastructure.
• Drones for First Responders Act: This bill would impose tariffs on Chinese-controlled drones, eventually leading to a full ban, and use the revenue to fund a grant program to help first responders and others purchase secure drones.

3. Reasons for Proposed Restrictions:

• National Security Concerns: Lawmakers and government agencies cite concerns about data security and potential ties between DJI and the Chinese government and military.
• Support for Human Rights Abuses: DJI was added to the Commerce Department's "Entity List" for its alleged role in enabling human rights abuses in China.
• Supply Chain Concerns: Some lawmakers fear that geopolitical events could disrupt the supply chain of critical drone technology.

4. What This Means for Consumers and Businesses:

• Existing DJI Drones are Currently Legal: You can legally purchase and operate existing DJI drones in the U.S..
• Uncertain Future: The situation remains fluid, and it's unclear if a broader ban will be enacted.
• Potential Impact on Industries: Industries that rely on DJI drones, such as agriculture, emergency services, and infrastructure, could be significantly impacted by a ban.

In summary: While there is no official ban on DJI drones in the U.S., the company faces increasing pressure and potential restrictions due to national security concerns and other allegations. The situation is ongoing, and it's important to stay informed about developments.

 

[Dave Pitman]

That is a decent summary.

The "issues" for the M4P is a complete mess at customs. DJI has chosen not to bother until that is addressed. The mentioned article is a different issue, the '25 NDAA. I think we can count on this admin to do absolutely nothing toward conducting this audit. The result will be the total ban on new DJI models in the US, full stop.

 

[MS Coast]

Full disclosure...this is an AI generated report from Google. The query I used was : "Are DJI drones banned?"

Federal agencies are currently banned from using Chinese-manufactured drones, including DJI, under the American Security Drone Act (ASDA) which became law as part of the 2024 NDAA.

In summary: While there is no official ban on DJI drones in the U.S.,

Typical AI output. Wordy and self-contradictory.

 

[MS Coast]

Here's a shortcut to the suggested action item.

DJI blog post

Six Months to the NDAA Deadline: Time Is Ticking for a DJI Audit

We commend the administration’s recent EOs, but there is still a key pressing issue that remains unresolved for DJI and the drone community: the upcoming NDAA deadline.

viewpoints.dji.com

"Share your story with your elected representatives and let them know how you use DJI technology to serve your community, protect lives, grow your business, or deliver essential services."

"Visit www.droneadvocacyalliance.com to take action and make your voice heard now. "

 

[1gratefulflyingdawg]

Typical AI output. Wordy and self-contradictory.

Yep I recognize that style. AI didn’t address the NDAA as the right questions were not asked.

 

[tsl16]

That is a decent summary.

The "issues" for the M4P is a complete mess at customs. DJI has chosen not to bother until that is addressed. The mentioned article is a different issue, the '25 NDAA. I think we can count on this admin to do absolutely nothing toward conducting this audit. The result will be the total ban on new DJI models in the US, full stop.

I was shocked when an air 3s I ordered on Friday cleared customs less than an hour after the plane landed in anchorage yesterday. I had resigned myself to settle in for the long haul and expected weeks. It’s currently cruising at FL33- probably the highest it will ever be again in its life- on its way to Memphis. Hopefully to be delivered next couple days.

 

[GadgetGuy]

I was shocked when an air 3s I ordered on Friday cleared customs less than an hour after the plane landed in anchorage yesterday. I had resigned myself to settle in for the long haul and expected weeks. It’s currently cruising at FL33- probably the highest it will ever be again in its life- on its way to Memphis. Hopefully to be delivered next couple days.

Perhaps there is an "underground railroad" for DJI through Anchorage rather than LAX. It's definitely a gamble. Feeling lucky today? LOL! Good luck!

 

[tsl16]

Perhaps there is an "underground railroad" for DJI through Anchorage rather than LAX. It's definitely a gamble. Feeling lucky today? LOL! Good luck!

Haha, maybe! It had quite an interesting route to get there! Shipped from Malaysia, to China, Osaka Japan then Seoul South Korea before making its way to anchorage! That does sound like some Underground Railroad stuff! My guess is it’ll fly from Memphis to Orlando, then trucked to Tampa.

 

[mavic3usa]

Haha, maybe! It had quite an interesting route to get there! Shipped from Malaysia, to China, Osaka Japan then Seoul South Korea before making its way to anchorage! That does sound like some Underground Railroad stuff! My guess is it’ll fly from Memphis to Orlando, then trucked to Tampa.

Could it be the South Korea is some type of loophole for China shipments since I keep hearing even the direct shipments from South Korean drone merchants seem to sail right past customs and into the US with no trouble. Wonder how long that will last.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Could it be the South Korea is some type of loophole for China shipments since I keep hearing even the direct shipments from South Korean drone merchants seem to sail right past customs and into the US with no trouble. Wonder how long that will last.

Whatever loopholes DJI has found, they want to keep the volume of such shipments to a minimum. Hence the DJI USA facilitation of support for DJI Canada warrantees for Adorama sales of Mavic 4 Pro units, but not for DJI Care Refresh. "If we screw up, we'll use the underground railroad from Canada to get you your replacement, but not if you screw up under DJI Care." On the other hand, if you are willing to pay for repairs after your screw up, DJI USA will still facilitate your refurb replacement from DJI Canada. Works for me!

 

[Felix le Chat]

DJI is asking for our help.
If DJI won't make the M4P available in the US due to "issues" then it's like the upcoming Mini5Pro, the Avata3 and the NEO2 among others won't launch either.

What kind of "ban" is this anyway? Shouldn't it be more like, if the work is not completed then the ban is deferred, instead of the other way around?
Even with the EO, something tells me this won't get done and even if it does, the results will be "inconclusive" because we likely have bogus "intelligence" that tells us otherwise.

DJI issues urgent warning: 6 months until possible ban

DJI warns US drone users of a looming DJI ban if a crucial government review isn’t completed within 6 months.

dronedj.com

It's painfully obvious what's happening.

A deadline is set for the completion of an investigation into whether DJI drones do an E.T. (phone home).

The rules are set that if the investigation isn't completed: the use of DJI tech faces a defacto ban after that date.

The Federal departments tasked with undertaking and completing the investigation fail to even start investigating.

The deadline date is reached and the day after: DJI drones cease to be allowed to operate legally.

 

[GadgetGuy]

It's painfully obvious what's happening.

A deadline is set for the completion of an investigation into whether DJI drones do an E.T. (phone home).

The rules are set that if the investigation isn't completed: the use of DJI tech faces a defacto ban after that date.

The Federal departments tasked with undertaking and completing the investigation fail to even start investigating.

The deadline date is reached and the day after: DJI drones cease to be allowed to operate legally.

Existing consumer purchased drones are unaffected by the prospective defacto ban, as I understand it. However, DJI cannot sell any more drones thereafter in the U.S., and no federal agency or contractor working for one can use any existing DJI drone after that. Essentially, DJI is then out of business in the U.S.. Good luck then getting Care Refresh replacements and warranty service after that, and all U.S. repair service simultaneously will end, too. Make sure you have enough aircraft on hand for the foreseeable future in case of mishaps.

 

[Felix le Chat]

Existing consumer purchased drones are unaffected by the prospective defacto ban, as I understand it. However, DJI cannot sell any more drones thereafter in the U.S., and no federal agency or contractor working for one can use any existing DJI drone after that. Essentially, DJI is then out of business in the U.S.. Good luck then getting Care Refresh replacements and warranty service after that, and all U.S. repair service simultaneously will end, too. Make sure you have enough aircraft on hand for the foreseeable future in case of mishaps.

Hmmm.... Does the wording of the E/O read "DJI drones" or "new DJI drones". With bureaucrats, the devil is always in the wording and the detail.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Hmmm.... Does the wording of the E/O read "DJI drones" or "new DJI drones". With bureaucrats, the devil is always in the wording and the detail.

As I understood it, it would ban the sale of all new DJI drones, rather than the use of them by consumers, and would also prohibit the use of them by all government agencies and their contractors.

 

[tsl16]

Could it be the South Korea is some type of loophole for China shipments since I keep hearing even the direct shipments from South Korean drone merchants seem to sail right past customs and into the US with no trouble. Wonder how long that will last.

I would think customs would be more concerned with the country of origin than a 2 hour stop it made along its journey. The commodity information on the customs declaration I see on the FedEx website lists the country of manufacture as Malaysia, not China, so that might have something to do with it. It’s made its way to Tampa this morning and is supposed to be delivered today- but signature required and I’m out of town until tomorrow evening so I’ll have to pick it up somewhere later in the week.

 

[HoozierDroneDaddy]

I would think customs would be more concerned with the country of origin than a 2 hour stop it made along its journey. The commodity information on the customs declaration I see on the FedEx website lists the country of manufacture as Malaysia, not China, so that might have something to do with it. It’s made its way to Tampa this morning and is supposed to be delivered today- but signature required and I’m out of town until tomorrow evening so I’ll have to pick it up somewhere later in the week.

You can go online and change delivery instructions to leave at door without signature.

 

[Dave Pitman]

Hmmm.... Does the wording of the E/O read "DJI drones" or "new DJI drones". With bureaucrats, the devil is always in the wording and the detail.

The NDAA mandates a risk assessment of drones manufactured in China, including those by DJI, to be conducted by an appropriate national security agency. If, within one year, no agency undertakes this assessment, DJI could be automatically added to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Covered List, effectively banning any new products from receiving FCC approval. Bad

So, initially, existing models will be exempt. BUT, As per the legislation, the federal government has the option to rescind previous FCC approvals making existing models illegal to use. Really Bad.

 

[Felix le Chat]

"...BUT, As per the legislation, the federal government has the option to rescind previous FCC approvals making existing models illegal to use..."

...in the detail...

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[wco81]

You'd think all the law enforcement departments which use DJI drones would try to lobby against bans.