Issues with Customs and the AIR 3 S
- Thread starter JTorsrud
- Start date
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2016
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- Location
- Harrisburg, PA (US)
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- mavichelp.com
I'm not sure there really is a widespread issue. According to what members are saying here, most orders are being delivered with no trouble.
DaHawaiian
Member
Agree it doesn’t seem to be terribly widespread, but if it affects you (like me), it’s been very frustrating…
As long as Amazon and Best Buy are not yet selling the Air 3S, the issues cannot be widespread since they sell alot of drones. However, if the Air 3S was advertised on Amazon on day one because Amazon expected to start selling on the first day but this same thing started happening to Amazon shipments (I realize the drone is ship/sold by Amazon), this would have been an unmitigated disaster. Since Amazon is not yet selling the drone in teh US (we don't know for sure why not) then it could be fair to assume all Amazon drones are being held by customs.
The Air 3S is probably the best DJI drone sold in the last few years and yet again, the launch is far from ideal. If I'm the DJI Air 3S pm, I'm pulling out my hair because yet again, hopes for a successful worldwide launch are ruined. For many, the buying experience is part of the deal. DJI cannot be happy with this outcome and they need to figure this out for the Mavic 4 Pro because no one is going to bend over for this after paying $4K for a flagship drone; DJI do better.
The Air 3S is probably the best DJI drone sold in the last few years and yet again, the launch is far from ideal. If I'm the DJI Air 3S pm, I'm pulling out my hair because yet again, hopes for a successful worldwide launch are ruined. For many, the buying experience is part of the deal. DJI cannot be happy with this outcome and they need to figure this out for the Mavic 4 Pro because no one is going to bend over for this after paying $4K for a flagship drone; DJI do better.
DaHawaiian
Member
I wouldn’t call it a nightmare, but it certainly has been frustrating. I just received, after 4 days of hassling DHL daily (they’ve been helping) and finally provided CBP with acceptable proof of my identity, address, SS#:
“Notification for shipment event group "Customs clearance" for 24 Oct 24.”
Would US Customs sieze your Air3S if you traveled outside the US with it and then on return to US Customs confiscate the drone?
They will not. Unless there is an order to seize specific goods, they will not and as far as we all know, none of us have seen such an order. Because yeah, they seize contraband at the border all the time especially upon re-entry. However, we don't know exactly what's going on so you never know what you might run into and who you might run into so be prepared like having your receipts and good for personal use, etc. Sometimes the government acts on rumors and if an agent *thinks* there is a ban or isn't quite sure, you might get treated that way (not get the benefit of the doubt) and have to jump thru extra hoops. Honestly, I would say if you are coming from Canada into the US, no worries. But don't try it the other way around, Canada has little patience these days for free Americans thinking they can import their freedoms.
DaHawaiian
Member
OMG… let there be light — still no delivery date, but it’s only an 8 hr drive to my house, 
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Thursday, October 24, 2024
| 24 | Shipment has departed from a DHL facility LOS ANGELES GATEWAY - USA | LOS ANGELES GATEWAY - California - USA | 5:43 PM | 1 Pieces |
PHZ
Well-Known Member
For what it's worth, my 3S got hung up in customs in Cincinnati. I received the "request for more info" email on Sunday AM and uploaded the required info. Nothing happened. On Wednesday, I tried the email help system. Pretty useless - just that it was still in customs and would be updated when released (followed by a marketing pitch to get me to sign up for a DHL account).
What seemed to work for me was the chat system on the DHL Express site (MyDHL+ | International Shipping and Courier Delivery). The DHL reps had access to more info. Today, they escalated it and said I would get a call within 2 hours. During that period, my package cleared customs. So by the time the rep called, the answer was "it's on the way". And the online tracking confirms that it's finally moving.
It may be a coincidence that the only chat which triggered the escalation at DHL just happened to coincide with US Customs releasing it?... but I kind of think it was the thing that finally got it moving.
Hope this helps others!
What seemed to work for me was the chat system on the DHL Express site (MyDHL+ | International Shipping and Courier Delivery). The DHL reps had access to more info. Today, they escalated it and said I would get a call within 2 hours. During that period, my package cleared customs. So by the time the rep called, the answer was "it's on the way". And the online tracking confirms that it's finally moving.
It may be a coincidence that the only chat which triggered the escalation at DHL just happened to coincide with US Customs releasing it?... but I kind of think it was the thing that finally got it moving.
Hope this helps others!
DaHawaiian
Member
Exactly right. That’s what helped me the most. After a 4 day delay, DHL says I’ll have by the end of today.
I ordered from DJI Store 11/4/24.
After several dozen DHL status update emails, today (11/12/24) I got one that said "Exception please call DHL". Over the phone DHL told me the package was "not returned by government authorities to DHL nor to the sender--this is permanent not temporary."
I'm now applying for a refund from DJI Store (painful: product by product webforms not by whole order). Will give that a few days to hopefully work before disputing charge with my card issuer (Amex).
Notification for shipment event group "Exception" for 12 Nov 24.
[td]AWB Number: 57XXXXXXXX
Pickup Date: 2024-11-07 18:38:12
[/td] [td]Ship From:[/td][td]Ship To:[/td] [td]HK[/td][td]US[/td]
EVENT CATEGORY
12 Nov 24 9:20 AM - Please contact DHL - NEW YORK CITY GATEWAY,UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - please contact DHL at 1 800 CALL DHL (225-5345)
After several dozen DHL status update emails, today (11/12/24) I got one that said "Exception please call DHL". Over the phone DHL told me the package was "not returned by government authorities to DHL nor to the sender--this is permanent not temporary."
I'm now applying for a refund from DJI Store (painful: product by product webforms not by whole order). Will give that a few days to hopefully work before disputing charge with my card issuer (Amex).
Notification for shipment event group "Exception" for 12 Nov 24.
Pickup Date: 2024-11-07 18:38:12
[/td] [td]Ship From:[/td][td]Ship To:[/td] [td]HK[/td][td]US[/td]
EVENT CATEGORY
12 Nov 24 9:20 AM - Please contact DHL - NEW YORK CITY GATEWAY,UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - please contact DHL at 1 800 CALL DHL (225-5345)
Funny and Sad:I ordered from DJI Store 11/4/24.
After several dozen DHL status update emails, today (11/12/24) I got one that said "Exception please call DHL". Over the phone DHL told me the package was "not returned by government authorities to DHL nor to the sender--this is permanent not temporary."
I'm now applying for a refund from DJI Store (painful: product by product webforms not by whole order). Will give that a few days to hopefully work before disputing charge with my card issuer (Amex).
Notification for shipment event group "Exception" for 12 Nov 24.
[td]AWB Number: 57XXXXXXXX
Pickup Date: 2024-11-07 18:38:12
[/td] [td]Ship From:[/td][td]Ship To:[/td] [td]HK[/td][td]US[/td]
EVENT CATEGORY
12 Nov 24 9:20 AM - Please contact DHL - NEW YORK CITY GATEWAY,UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - please contact DHL at 1 800 CALL DHL (225-5345)
I contacted DJI STORE this morning spoke with a Representative, (probably in CHINA) and she told me they were available to ship!
So, the information you received from DHL means that US Customs has basically confiscated these drones and is holding them!
So, I guess I never may get it, until the DJI Lawsuit with Customs is settled, (that could take years)
Really sad!
ryguy80
Well-Known Member
Anyone holding out for a Mavic 4 in the U.S. - it may not even see the light of day over here.
Unless it tries to arrives in the next weeks to a month, afraid you are right that door is closing rapidly.
I'm working on a good Mavic 4 meme.
DaHawaiian
Member
My early morning before coffee rant. Doesn’t this seem more political than criminal? Is DJI being scapegoated? Everyone knows China uses slave labor camps to build stuff western countries buy —furniture, fabric, clothing, electronics, 8o% of the world’s solar panels & components. They skirt bans by smuggling components or entire products via corrupted officials to other Asian countries, then relabeled. It’s been going on for decades.
“U.S. Congress passed in 2021 the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, prohibiting the importation of any goods made in whole or in part, in Xinjiang province from entering the U.S. 90% of the cotton in China is grown in Xinjiang. Other industries, such as solar and electronics, are also tainted by the Uyghur human rights abuses.”
Electrical components covers a lot of ground. Could DJI have some in their products? Sure. Ditto Apple, HP, Sony, Dell, Samsung, LG, most car makers, etc. Proving it is harder, the Chinese are experienced deceivers…
Don’t ya think ruining DJI’s Air 3S launch at the beginning of the holiday season was a purposeful act to make a statement? It’s affordable, they’d sell boatloads in the US in Oct./Nov./Dec. DJI must be very concerned about the Mavic 4 launch...
I need coffee…
“U.S. Congress passed in 2021 the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, prohibiting the importation of any goods made in whole or in part, in Xinjiang province from entering the U.S. 90% of the cotton in China is grown in Xinjiang. Other industries, such as solar and electronics, are also tainted by the Uyghur human rights abuses.”
Electrical components covers a lot of ground. Could DJI have some in their products? Sure. Ditto Apple, HP, Sony, Dell, Samsung, LG, most car makers, etc. Proving it is harder, the Chinese are experienced deceivers…
Don’t ya think ruining DJI’s Air 3S launch at the beginning of the holiday season was a purposeful act to make a statement? It’s affordable, they’d sell boatloads in the US in Oct./Nov./Dec. DJI must be very concerned about the Mavic 4 launch...
I need coffee…
Last edited:
Vader Zoom 01
Well-Known Member
I've been having issues with customs allowing my Mavic Air 3S to enter. It's been stuck at customs in Miami Fl for over a week now. First they said entry denied and drone will be returned to shipper, as of Thursday 2/13/2025 it now says Customs processing is in progress. So I don't know what to think, is it being returned or are they going to allow it to be shipped to me.....hate the waiting game with no contact from DJI or DHL.
Why not call DHL? Enter the tracking number in the form to look up the right department.
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