I'm in USA.What's my best/most reliable option to buy a Mavic 4 Pro?Any idea what customs+import fees cost?What Korean dealers can you recommend?

[offtheback]

I'm in USA.What's my best/most reliable option to buy a Mavic 4 Pro?Any idea what customs+import fees cost?What Korean dealers can you recommend?
Is it worth exploring purchase from Canada?

 

[mavic3usa]

Click on this thread:

Where To Buy??

Jul 30, 2025

There is a particular reseller in the US stating that the drone will be opened, pre-activated (but not bound to a DJI account), and they will ship 2 additional batteries within a week or so - they said they do this for it to clear customs faster. Does this seem legit? Or should I just buy it a much cheaper price from a "reputable" seller in S. Korea where it will come factory sealed, with all parts, and un-activated?

Does this seem legit? Or should I just buy it a much cheaper price from a "reputable" seller in S. Korea where it will come factory sealed, with all parts, and un-activated...

• FlierX
• Replies: 67
• Forum: Mavic 4 Pro

 

[jaja6009]

Pretty sure they're on Amazon now in the US.

 

[mavic3usa]

Pretty sure they're on Amazon now in the US.

They are but they are way overpriced and the sellers are a bit sketchy mostly in terms of tariffs (probably more like an unknown).

 

[offtheback]

They are but they are way overpriced and the sellers are a bit sketchy mostly in terms of tariffs (probably more like an unknown).

Thanks.Adorama has them but they too are overpriced-$5500 creator/flymore.( depending on import fees needed to pay from Korea.Korean Ebay about $3800.

 

[Dogpilot]

Korea, Japan, Tonga. It doesn't matter, every place you import from has an import duty now, especially since September 1st. Nothing is exempt, especially from the drone perspective. Many things like drones, have stacked duties. There is a stacked duty imposed on top of the minimum 15% of and additional tariff stacked on that for the batteries, which have their own tariff. You can have fun and look here for a tariff calculator. It does not matter if you get it from Korea, unless they commit customs fraud and do not declare the country of origin, you will face Chinese import level tariffs. BTW, they do not necessarily open boxes, they x-ray them now, like your carry on in the airport. It is quite clear what is in the box. This works, this week, no telling what it may be next week. It will depend on when your item crosses the US border.

Tarriff Calculator

 

[GadgetGuy]

BTW, they do not necessarily open boxes, they x-ray them now, like your carry on in the airport. It is quite clear what is in the box.

Not so sure about it being quite clear what is in the box, just from an X-ray. They certainly can't tell new from used, and they can't tell DJI from Skydio, and they have no way of knowing the true value, or even discerning an electric drill with multiple batteries from a Mavic 4 Pro Creator Combo. Also depends upon what they are screening for on the X-Ray, and the skill of the operator, and whether they want to be bothered with opening up a possible mismatched package and Declaration Form (assuming the scanners even have access to the Declaration form at time of the scan), slowing down the processing rate of all the packages, when they are already overworked and behind.

 

[Dogpilot]

BTW, shipping is way down. Many countries have paused shipping to the USA. Even container booking are at an all time low. So they are at an all time low on inspections. After midnight though, there may be nothing clearing customs. They may all go on vacation. When they do start back up, it will take weeks and weeks to cover the backlog.

They actually do train the fellows doing this. They do have access to the declarations, it is attached to the package. They are perfectly aware what a drone is and how to identify it. They are supposedly blocking them from import, so I don't think they are using psychics. The new scanners are actually quite detailed, show different densities in color. They are a bit more like CT scanners, not the x-rays of old. Batteries are usually flagged. There is a check to see if they went on a conforming flight. There is a sizable fine for misrepresenting the contents and if it has batteries. I had to take lots of boring hazmat cargo flight courses. Lithium batteries are restricted to shipping on certain flights. So they do check, especially since they are now part of the stacked tariff codes. Heck, we even are required to carry a box with UN hazmat labels of all kinds to replace damaged ones if we get one that peels off or is damaged. They are very easy to spot. Do you not travel? stand and look at what is in your bag at baggage inspection. They don't even have the really good scanners.

I always treat anything with customs with kid gloves. I have fired pilots, on the spot, for pissing off customs officials. The officials have quite a bit of power and there are very few rights crossing borders. An unaccompanied package has no rights. If they are suspicious of a package, they can take and blow it up if they think it may be dangerous. No need for a lot of proof. They are aware people are trying to find ways around the tariffs. There is a whole task force set up to identify the paths of third country export. You really need read up a bit more on what is going on. Kind of a good time to sit on your hands about this stuff.

There is one glaring fail on all these scanners and inspectors. None seem to be able to detect drugs. So if you really want to get a drone in from overseas, have the shipper carefully pack it in cocaine. Renders everything inside invisible.

 

[mavic3usa]

As soon as we have AI fully on board, this is all a moot point. The minute you order a DJI drone with a US address online, the DJI drone packages will be immediately and automatically re-directed once they hit US soil in AK to a detention facility in Africa.



Note: This is an AI generated image by Gemini.

 

[GadgetGuy]

BTW, shipping is way down. Many countries have paused shipping to the USA. Even container booking are at an all time low. So they are at an all time low on inspections. After midnight though, there may be nothing clearing customs. They may all go on vacation. When they do start back up, it will take weeks and weeks to cover the backlog.

They actually do train the fellows doing this. They do have access to the declarations, it is attached to the package. They are perfectly aware what a drone is and how to identify it. They are supposedly blocking them from import, so I don't think they are using psychics. The new scanners are actually quite detailed, show different densities in color. They are a bit more like CT scanners, not the x-rays of old. Batteries are usually flagged. There is a check to see if they went on a conforming flight. There is a sizable fine for misrepresenting the contents and if it has batteries. I had to take lots of boring hazmat cargo flight courses. Lithium batteries are restricted to shipping on certain flights. So they do check, especially since they are now part of the stacked tariff codes. Heck, we even are required to carry a box with UN hazmat labels of all kinds to replace damaged ones if we get one that peels off or is damaged. They are very easy to spot. Do you not travel? stand and look at what is in your bag at baggage inspection. They don't even have the really good scanners.

I always treat anything with customs with kid gloves. I have fired pilots, on the spot, for pissing off customs officials. The officials have quite a bit of power and there are very few rights crossing borders. An unaccompanied package has no rights. If they are suspicious of a package, they can take and blow it up if they think it may be dangerous. No need for a lot of proof. They are aware people are trying to find ways around the tariffs. There is a whole task force set up to identify the paths of third country export. You really need read up a bit more on what is going on. Kind of a good time to sit on your hands about this stuff.

There is one glaring fail on all these scanners and inspectors. None seem to be able to detect drugs. So if you really want to get a drone in from overseas, have the shipper carefully pack it in cocaine. Renders everything inside invisible.

Thanks for the detailed reply, and confirming their access to the Declarations Form. All good info. However, their scan can't tell new from used, and it cannot tell DJI from Skydio, and they also have no way of determining the true value from the scan itself. This still allows for claiming new as used, stating U.S. manufacturing of a drone by claiming it is manufactured by Skydio, and misrepresenting the true value of the contents. On the other hand, if all drones are receiving special scrutiny, all bets are off, and importing a used U.S. manufactured drone from S. Korea would be very suspicious, and guarantee opening of the package!

Bottom line, don't mess with Customs! DJI has learned the hard way that U.S. Customs is more powerful than Congress, as U.S. Customs can simply hold all DJI imports for investigation forever, like they have been doing since the Air 3S, creating a de facto DJI ban, long before Congress prohibits the sale of DJI aircraft in December by not clearing them of being a threat to national security.

 

[Dogpilot]

Not to belabor the point, it does not matter if the drone is used, duty is the same. If the declaration says it is a drill and it appears to be a drone, then it will get special treatment. There is no more de minimus exemption, everything is subject to tariffs, regardless of value. Correspondingly it is subject to an actual inspection now as well. Prior to September 1st, you could get something in for under $800 with very little scrutiny. Not the case anymore. Now even traveling you no longer have the exemption upon entry.

I think this is best described as a form of train wreck. Personally I had ordered a battery from Japan, weeks ago. Still not shipped, most likely due to the pause. Now, as of midnight, we no longer have any paid officials on the border, it may be best to cancel the order as it will be clearing customs until the end of time now.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Not to belabor the point, it does not matter if the drone is used, duty is the same. If the declaration says it is a drill and it appears to be a drone, then it will get special treatment. There is no more de minimus exemption, everything is subject to tariffs, regardless of value. Correspondingly it is subject to an actual inspection now as well. Prior to September 1st, you could get something in for under $800 with very little scrutiny. Not the case anymore. Now even traveling you no longer have the exemption upon entry.

I think this is best described as a form of train wreck. Personally I had ordered a battery from Japan, weeks ago. Still not shipped, most likely due to the pause. Now, as of midnight, we no longer have any paid officials on the border, it may be best to cancel the order as it will be clearing customs until the end of time now.

Actually, from my research, the traveller's $800 exemption is still in effect.
Also, the "used" aspect is intended to reduce the value to lower the appropriate tariffs, not to eliminate them.

My Mini 5 Pro Combo was ordered after September 1 from S. Korea ipon eBay and arrived without any tariffs and was properly declared by the seller on the Customs Declaration, at least as to its DJI contents and Chinese country of manufacture. I have no idea of the declared value, though. However, seller assured me no tariffs would be due in the listing title. $1280 delivered with eBay sales tax paid.

Glad I have nothing in the pipeline except a set of ND filters for the Mavic 4 Pro, oddly, the seller changed the guaranteed delivery by date to November 15 on the check out page, even though estimated to be October 15-20 in the listing.

 

[Dogpilot]

I have been curious about the seller prepaying customs. So did you get a receipt showing customs paid or what? I have mentioned before, I have received customs bills several months later. I am also curious which tariffs the seller paid, as they all changed, again, on September 1st. On the traveller's exemption, I have seen it interpreted both ways. There is plenty of room for misinterpretation either way. Means little to me at the moment, almost all my overseas work has been pushed back to next year or put on hold. Not even going to the Mining Expo in Peru this year in December. Little point to it.

I would really hate to be a customs broker at the moment.

 

[mavic3usa]

Glad I have nothing in the pipeline except a set of ND filters for the Mavic 4 Pro, oddly, the seller changed the guaranteed delivery by date to November 15 on the check out page, even though estimated to be October 15-20 in the listing.

I have two items in the pipeline currently somewhere between export Asia and US customs, aboard a foreign carrier likely to be transferred to USPS. With the government shutdown, likely additional delays although I am expecting delivery this week. One if M4P filters and other is a second Power 1000 cable for M4P so not in a big hurry, just don't want them to languish or get lost.

 

[Landshark99]

I have had used EBAY sellers who claim they will pay the tariff or any other fees, so I feel that if there was any issue they are on the hook for what ever happens. I also think that US customs is overwhelmed at the moment with the $800 exemption gone as well as whatever staff reductions have happened with either DOGE cuts or the redirecting personal to ICE. That being said besides the tariff that is charged for a specific item( value and origin country), there was also an alternative where the carrier can just pay an $80 or $200 tariff, at the moment I do not remmeber the rules of how that was supposed to be applied, but it was put into effect to speed the customs clearance. I think that is what the tariff free EBAY vendors are doing. I have used the tariff free vendors and have had no issues as of now. I have also noted that on the commodity statement for the items shipped to me all but one said country of origin Korea and one funny one said USA.
Lastly everyone of my shipments has spent one hour or less in customs for clearance.

 

[Dogpilot]

Interesting, but did they attach the paid customs invoice? Again, reason I ask is the bill from customs comes months later, well after the 30 day period you have recourse with eBay. Mine did came well after that period. They didn't cut CBP staff. They take their time, but they eventually do send bills. Usually, it is the carrier that will ultimately bill you, as they get the bill from CBP. I am just interested to see how this is all panning out. Even though your shipper committed customs fraud, you would still be tariffed for 15% from Korea and whatever the stacked battery tariff is from there.

Governments are bizarre in billing. I get bills 18-24 months after a flight overseas for airway navigation. My favorite is Norway, who have this tiny slice of airspace that extends down into the major routes across the Atlantic. It is only a few miles wide and is there simply to generate ATC derived revenue for them. You don't even ever talk to them. It is an astonishing $270!

 

[Landshark99]

As I said this is what these vendors are doing at the moment, so I do not see how any of us will receive any bills in the future, everyone of the tariff free vendors are charging more in their price or in shipping that would cover this.

From an internet search

"Yes, the temporary flat-rate tariff applies to packages handled by express carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL, as well as the US Postal Service (USPS). This six-month option allows these companies to collect a flat fee between $80 and $200 per package, depending on the country of origin's reciprocal tariff rates, instead of the full value-based tariff. This change came into effect after the expiration of the de minimis exemption on August 29, 2025, which previously allowed many low-value packages to enter the U.S. duty-free.



Key Details

• Who it affects:
  All major international shipping carriers, including FedEx, UPS, and DHL.
• What it is:
  A temporary six-month option for flat-rate duties on low-value packages, ranging from $80 to $200.
• Why it's happening:
  To replace the expired de minimis exemption, which allowed duty-free imports of packages under $800 in value.
• How it works:
  The flat fee depends on the tariff rates imposed by the origin country; for example, packages from countries with tariffs of 16% or less might incur an $80 fee, while those from countries with higher tariffs could be $160 or $200.
  • Specific tiered rates:The amount of the flat-rate duty is tiered based on the country of origin's effective tariff rate:
    • $80 per package: For countries with an effective tariff rate of 16% or less.
    • $160 per package: For countries with a rate between 16% and 25%.
    • $200 per package: For countries with a rate higher than 25%.
  • Permanent policy: After the six-month transition period, which began on August 29, 2025, the flat-rate option will expire. At that point, all international shipments will be subject to the standard, value-based tariffs. "

 

[Dogpilot]

I am not being a pinhead about this, I just curious if you have any proof they paid it? Normally it is on the declaration with prepaid items. Or it would be an additional sheet, but indicating fees paid and under what rules. Just trying to suss out how this is all going down. Not like anybody on eBay would say one thing and do another. Personally, I really like to have proof of payment if it comes to it. Or, as you have pointed out, there could be so much churn it just floats away. Not exactly a great deal if you do the math, take a battery for example: $255 * .15= $38.25. Kind of a bit steep to be paying $80 for that. Its is a mess for sure. It would work fine if you imported 10 of them and they were not made in China.

 

[Landshark99]

Understood as I said I am not going to worry about this, no customs paper work comes with these shipments either from the vendor or FedEx. With this plan I understood that that fee could be paid up front by the shipper to FedEx or whatever shipping co. so there would not be a separate bill from customs. This is only a 6 months plan, after that who knows. Yes the with $255 battery deal maybe they are going straight tariff instead of the $80 flat fee, but there is nothing in this Trump created tariff nightmare that is a good deal.

 

[YorksPhotos]

I have had 6 drones imported from Korea. There has not been any indication on the package that it went through customs. No forms, stickers or stamps or signs of the package being opened. Some have seen some info on FedEx but I am not seeing anything. If customs is overwhelmed they must be just letting them all pass through. You would think there would be delays. Mine have went through customs in Anchorage, Oakland, LA and Memphis all within a few hours on FedEx tracking. Same for a few under $100 items from China.