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?

[Dogpilot]

I suppose it is anybody's guess how this is actually working. Thanks for being forthcoming. Really the only way to see how it is working is by the experiences of others. I have two different businesses, one is aviation. Most of the stuff is made here, but since Textron started to make items in Mexico, creating problems. The Pratt & Whitney engines I have on most of the planes are actually made in Canada. I also own a geological engineering company. I would fly down to Mexico for example and take back gold samples for assay in the lab in Tucson. Now traditionally, aviation and their parts have been exempt from duties. Gold is also exempt. You do have to get a customs bond, even though there is no duty. At the moment, I have no frigging idea of how. Luckily, due to all this nobody particularly wants to do business with a US based entity. The primary drive is lack of foreign currency to pay for it now, since not much is being transacted. As I mentioned, all the work has pushed to next year and nobody is interested in leasing airplanes they have to pay in dollars for.

So I fiddle with new ideas on the drones for now, since I have time on my hands.

 

[mavic3usa]

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.

I am going to agree with this. No matter where I get my packages from (the big 3: KR/CH/JP) there is never any of the "usual" paperwork or customs markings attached to the package. In fact, I had to look closely at the one label to see the "KR" return address to realize it was an international package. In another thread, we have posted pictures of the shipping carton/box, it's so plain. The only indication is when you look at the online tracking and you see the 2 or 3 customs entries for begin/in progress/exit either in Anchorage or somewhere central like Memphis/Louisville.

On eBay, those messages are eBay generated and speak to "import fees" and rarely does it claim tariffs. Probably because no one knows what category but only fees are relevant. Even when the sellers speaks to those "fees" they never talk about tariffs. Here are some examples:

• Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
• Please check with your local customs office for potential additional charges before purchasing.

or

1. Buyers must pay import duties, taxes and charges.
2. I do not mark lower price in invoice.

But when they want to assure you that you don't have to pay anything extra, you get a statement in the description like this:

Price & Duties (U.S. Customers)

• The price you see is the final price.
• From the buyer's side, no additional tariffs (customs duties) or fees are required.
• All additional tariffs (customs duties) or fees will be covered by the seller.
• This condition applies to U.S. customers only.

or

We help reduce import duties legally and transparently


United States

For All Orders,

there is no import duty at all

— we take care of it for you.

or the eBay stock message:

1. This item includes applicable import fees—you won’t pay anything extra after checkout.

 

[Landshark99]

The latest drone I ordered this year showed up today safe and sound, no issues in two days,. Well wrapped, sealed box, transmitting FCC, RID, insured and registered with the FAA. So I will say to goodbye to Korea, for now and see what fun next year brings
When it comes to shipping all four vendors came through with well packed boxes and swift delivery with no issues with shipping or customs. Longest shipping time was a week with a small vendor for a battery, all the other it took a max of 4 days. Found while doing this that some of the small vendors do not have a direct FedEx International account so they use a shipping hub, which can add a few days to the shipping.
Overall very happy with the results

 

[Peterthe1]

Hi. I just bought the Fly more combo from CR Kennedy here in Oz land in Brisbane. Don't know what duties/tariffs would be involved exporting to USA. They have very good price, AUD 3433.15, 15%cheaper than any one else here. Might be worth contacting them. Here is guy's email address that I dealt with [email protected]

 

[mavic3usa]

Hi. I just bought the Fly more combo from CR Kennedy here in Oz land in Brisbane. Don't know what duties/tariffs would be involved exporting to USA. They have very good price, AUD 3433.15, 15%cheaper than any one else here. Might be worth contacting them. Here is guy's email address that I dealt with [email protected]

With MSRP at AUD 4040 it sounds like a good deal. Since the package would be properly marked with goods manufactured in China, standard tariffs would apply. So far, it's hard to tell if any import fees would be charged or not, but I suggest he ship via FedEx to the US if possible to minimize the possibility. Incoming packages from Australia might not even get a second look since I don't think we currently have an "issue" with your country FWIW.

 

[Peterthe1]

With MSRP at AUD 4040 it sounds like a good deal. Since the package would be properly marked with goods manufactured in China, standard tariffs would apply. So far, it's hard to tell if any import fees would be charged or not, but I suggest he ship via FedEx to the US if possible to minimize the possibility. Incoming packages from Australia might not even get a second look since I don't think we currently have an "issue" with your country FWIW.

Just adding to my post, I also got quoted for the Creator combo at AUD4555.15. This is also 15% cheaper than anyone else around here. Apparently CR Kennedy have some sort of Platinum agreement with DJI and that is why they are able to sell cheaper than everyone else. Don't know how long this will last though? As usual, all good things must come to an end. Unfortunately!

 

[GadgetGuy]

Just adding to my post, I also got quoted for the Creator combo at AUD4555.15. This is also 15% cheaper than anyone else around here. Apparently CR Kennedy have some sort of Platinum agreement with DJI and that is why they are able to sell cheaper than everyone else. Don't know how long this will last though? As usual, all good things must come to an end. Unfortunately!

At $3,037 USD, that's also 13% below the best Korean price of $3500 before August 28th. Good deal!

 

[photowolff]

Anyone have experience with the seller Smart Fly Gear on Amazon? They're selling the Fly More Combo for $2,899

https://a.co/d/bGQqUKn

 

[YorksPhotos]

Anyone have experience with the seller Smart Fly Gear on Amazon? They're selling the Fly More Combo for $2,899

https://a.co/d/bGQqUKn

It is showing the Fly More Combo at $3549. The standard is $2819. Your link goes to sold by GD Sales.

 

[mavic3usa]

Anyone have experience with the seller Smart Fly Gear on Amazon? They're selling the Fly More Combo for $2,899

https://a.co/d/bGQqUKn

It is showing the Fly More Combo at $3549. The standard is $2819. Your link goes to sold by GD Sales.

...and now it's showing Digital Village.

Is there a reason why you prefer to buy the M4P from a seller on Amazon? It's ok but there are risks. We've heard of all 3 of these sellers but we just don't know their track record and we don't know for sure about the additional fees. Or, at least I don't personally.

 

[photowolff]

...and now it's showing Digital Village.

Is there a reason why you prefer to buy the M4P from a seller on Amazon? It's ok but there are risks. We've heard of all 3 of these sellers but we just don't know their track record and we don't know for sure about the additional fees. Or, at least I don't personally.

Hi - I don't have a preference as to where I purchase. I was just researching prices/resellers. When I searched for Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo on Amazon, the listing from Smart Fly Gear was the first one to come up, and the "Overall Pick" from Amazon. It did seem too good to be true, as the price was $1,000 less than B&H and Adorama's pricing. I don't see that listing anymore. Must be a scam/unreliable seller.

 

[mavic3usa]

Hi - I don't have a preference as to where I purchase. I was just researching prices/resellers. When I searched for Mavic 4 Pro Fly More Combo on Amazon, the listing from Smart Fly Gear was the first one to come up, and the "Overall Pick" from Amazon. It did seem too good to be true, as the price was $1,000 less than B&H and Adorama's pricing. I don't see that listing anymore. Must be a scam/unreliable seller.

Ok. Right now, buying drone on Amazon is hit or miss, I would turn my attention to eBay for less risk.

 

[Landshark99]

Ok. Right now, buying drone on Amazon is hit or miss, I would turn my attention to eBay for less risk.

I agree i was not much of an EBAY buyers except for old cameras, but this last drone buying experience has me looking at them as a good source for a number of things

 

[mavic3usa]

I agree i was not much of an EBAY buyers except for old cameras, but this last drone buying experience has me looking at them as a good source for a number of things

For sure, they have earned respect as sellers. Although I have been to Seoul and Tokyo several times, I never considered buying anything online from those countries and China/HK was the only place I could order from routinely. As of this year, all of that has officially changed for me.

 

[photowolff]

Ok. Right now, buying drone on Amazon is hit or miss, I would turn my attention to eBay for less risk.

I appreciate your feedback and recommendation - I will be looking at E-bay sellers.

 

[GadgetGuy]

I appreciate your feedback and recommendation - I will be looking at E-bay sellers.

These 3rd Party Amazon Scam Sellers all have terrible reviews (check their Critical Reviews) and onerous return policies with horrendous restocking fees, solely at their discretion!

• Restocking Fees:
  • Up to 100% fee may be applied for customer-damaged returns on drones/electronics or fraudulant returns.
  • Up to 20% fee may apply to returns due to buyer's remorse, including:
    • Accidental order
    • Found a better price
    • No longer needed/wanted
    • Misrepresented return reason
    • Abuse of the return process (e.g., claiming defects that cannot be verified upon inspection).

 

[photowolff]

These 3rd Party Amazon Scam Sellers all have terrible reviews (check their Critical Reviews) and onerous return policies with horrendous restocking fees, solely at their discretion!

• Restocking Fees:
  • Up to 100% fee may be applied for customer-damaged returns on drones/electronics or fraudulant returns.
  • Up to 20% fee may apply to returns due to buyer's remorse, including:
    • Accidental order
    • Found a better price
    • No longer needed/wanted
    • Misrepresented return reason
    • Abuse of the return process (e.g., claiming defects that cannot be verified upon inspection).

Great to know. What's the best way to determine which E-Bay sellers are legit?

 

[offtheback]

Great to know. What's the best way to determine which E-Bay sellers are legit?

Anyone know how reliable the review scores are on Ebay?

 

[mavic3usa]

Anyone know how reliable the review scores are on Ebay?

Personally I find the review scores on eBay to be irrelevant. Not because they are not accurate but because sellers sell various goods and the scores don't necessarily reflect independently on their "drone" efforts. usually the scores or so numerous it's hard to tell what happened; Ebay buyers are so picky. However, I will treat a 0 or similar score accordingly.

Instead, when it comes to selling drones on eBay, I try to rely on word of mouth or other gut feel having been on eBay since forever like when it started; please feel free to share your seller concerns and many of us here will be happy to chime in.

 

[Landshark99]

So far all 4 sellers I have used for DJI things on EBAY have been great, no issues. I must admit the actual reviews did not have much impact on my choice, but I did look at their overall score