Mavic 4 Pro Carried by Chinese National Seized by US Customs

[SkySteve83]

I agree the US Customs can be a pain, but I have only had good experiences. The Caribbean is way worse in some places. In Jamaica they will consistently make you unpack every piece of gear and check serial numbers, even with my 25 cases in those days - coming and going. I also think the US bears the brunt of the dangerous smugglers trying to get into this county. MIA was my most common port of entry. Also flew on my own and chartered planes, which was even a nicer experience. Been lucky I guess.

 

[Surge]

Chinese traveler, with family in tow, refuses to surrender his $2,000 Mavic 4 Pro, bought in China, to US Customs upon arrival in the U.S.. Makes a scene, tries to grab it back, and gets into a physical altercation with the Customs Officers. Visa revoked after a 5 day investigation, entire family deported back to China. Now he is blaming DJI, suing them. DJI originally agreed to compensate him for the purchase price because of the forfeiture, as they had assured him he could bring it in. They rescinded that offer, once they found out what a scene he had caused. All this over a $2,000 drone purchase! What an entitled jerk! His family should have asked for asylum, instead of being sent back with him! He ruined their vacation, and their reputations!

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The real issue is the disintegration of America. What an embarrassment, to be American at this time. The guy is coming in with a drone, so what?

Only in Nazi Germany or other dictatorships have we seen anything close to what’s happening now in America.

 

[Landshark99]

The real issue is the disintegration of America. What an embarrassment, to be American at this time. The guy is coming in with a drone, so what?

Only in Nazi Germany or other dictatorships have we seen anything close to what’s happening now in

I agree this is a sad situation here now but it also goes to my observation that you are at the mercy of the customs agent you get. There seems at times no consistent rules, I do not see if this was his own drone not still in a retail box he would have to declare it. If it had an unopend box I can see where they could accuse him of smuggling for resale, but as I understand it there is no publish policy about enter the country with a drone. Which is the issue here, this nonsense with importing DJI drones is a ban with out a statement of public policy.
Unless were they racially profiling him as a spy for the Chinese gov.
A good example of a public notice; one cannot not import objects made of Ivory, but you can look at the US custom web site and see that. Where is the importation rules on DJI drones written. Do they make every one entering the country with a Leica or wearing a Rolex give it up.
Now he should not have acted like a fool but if they had an issue it could have been resolved in a lot better ways.

 

[Meta4]

Do they make every one entering the country with a Leica or wearing a Rolex give it up.
Now he should not have acted like a fool but if they had an issue it could have been resolved in a lot better ways.

There's so little information about the alleged incident that there's good grounds to doubt that it ever happened and is just clickbait.

 

[Landshark99]

Maybe so and probably is but anything is possible when one involves US Customs

 

[SkySteve83]

This really is a crazy gray area for customs. If I register my DJI drone with all my gear with US Customs, like I always do, and take it with me on a trip, can they confiscate it upon return? I doubt it, but who knows? There must be guidelines somewhere. Customs workers have enough crap to deal with people bringing in banned food, cigars, drugs, and many more malicious items than to become experts on drones.

 

[mavic3usa]

I agree this is a sad situation here now but it also goes to my observation that you are at the mercy of the customs agent you get. There seems at times no consistent rules, I do not see if this was his own drone not still in a retail box he would have to declare it. If it had an unopend box I can see where they could accuse him of smuggling for resale, but as I understand it there is no publish policy about enter the country with a drone. Which is the issue here, this nonsense with importing DJI drones is a ban with out a statement of public policy.
Unless were they racially profiling him as a spy for the Chinese gov.
A good example of a public notice; one cannot not import objects made of Ivory, but you can look at the US custom web site and see that. Where is the importation rules on DJI drones written. Do they make every one entering the country with a Leica or wearing a Rolex give it up.
Now he should not have acted like a fool but if they had an issue it could have been resolved in a lot better ways.

Usually the "for resale" concept was applied to having more than one of something in retail packaging or in new condition. Either you "wore" it or carried it and it's for personal use, you're allowed one without declaring because who buys just one item for resale....was the thinking.

 

[Cymruflyer]

Can a US citizen (at this time) take their legally purchased DJI drone/s in the US, abroad on vacation and bring it back to the US?

I just did. I'm British but live in the USA. we just went home for a few weeks holiday and took my drone. No issues what-so-ever bringing it back into the USA.

 

[PINEBARON]

I just did. I'm British but live in the USA. we just went home for a few weeks holiday and took my drone. No issues what-so-ever bringing it back into the USA.

Thanks!