Hello all,
I am new to this forum and I've already found a lot of great information over the last several days that I wish I had found sooner. I wanted to share my ordering experience here in hopes that it will help folks going forward who may be contemplating a purchase.
The TL/DR version: As of Nov 28, 2024, you'll likely have better success ordering from DronePoint.ca or another Canadian reseller. I unfortunately found this forum about two days after I already placed my order with DJI directly.
The long version: I ordered an Air 3s direct from DJI on Nov 21. The order was promptly shipped and arrived in NYC, USA on Nov 22. It was then stuck waiting for CBP approval for this past week. On Nov 27 I was asked by DHL to provide a copy of my SS card, which I did in good faith in order to have the drone released to me. On Thanksgiving Day, I received a lengthy email (similar to what one or two other folks have posted here in other threads) from a DHL Import Custom’s Clearance Research Agent informing me stating "The shipment is being held due to the presumption (highlight mine) that it may contain goods produced with forced labor, specifically those linked to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in China" along with the list of requirements I would need to provide documenting the inner workings of the Chinese manufacturing supply chain - something your average person has literally no chance of completing. I responded with a request for an RTO (Return to Origin) for DHL to pass along to the CBP, along with a request for DHL to remove the image of my SS card from their servers, as this is sensitive personal information, and they will not be needing it going forward.
Simultaneously, I contacted DJI Support via chat and let them know what was going on. They have already escalated my order for a full refund including the Care Refresh package. I should expect to see the refund by the end of next week and will monitor my credit card for it, but I have no reason to believe I wont receive that refund. DJI Support has been fantastic. Thanks to several folks on this forum I also placed an order for the same drone with Dronepoint.ca after chatting with a representative there. I had the option to choose a shipper and went with UPS. I chose what would be the 3 day delivery, and its actually on the truck for delivery today (11/29) - one day after ordering. It cleared Customs overnight with no issues. I used an online calculator to estimate taffis and fees, which came to $0. I'll update this if that turns out to be different. DronePoint has already sent me my activation code for the DJI Care Refresh plan. I also received a followup call on the morning of 11/29 from DJI offerirng me the option for a reshipment. I explained to the rep that I've ordered through a reseller and am all set.
Some things Ive learned through this experience...
1) Ordering direct from China right now is a PITA
2) CBP is just doing their jobs and what they're told to do. I cant be angry about that. Hopefully the presumption of slave labor (a presumption/accusation being all it seems to be at the moment) is bogus.
3) DHL support is hit or miss...more miss than hit.
4) DJI Support and DronePoint Support are both stellar.
I hope this info saves someone from a potential headache during the Christmas shopping season.
I am new to this forum and I've already found a lot of great information over the last several days that I wish I had found sooner. I wanted to share my ordering experience here in hopes that it will help folks going forward who may be contemplating a purchase.
The TL/DR version: As of Nov 28, 2024, you'll likely have better success ordering from DronePoint.ca or another Canadian reseller. I unfortunately found this forum about two days after I already placed my order with DJI directly.
The long version: I ordered an Air 3s direct from DJI on Nov 21. The order was promptly shipped and arrived in NYC, USA on Nov 22. It was then stuck waiting for CBP approval for this past week. On Nov 27 I was asked by DHL to provide a copy of my SS card, which I did in good faith in order to have the drone released to me. On Thanksgiving Day, I received a lengthy email (similar to what one or two other folks have posted here in other threads) from a DHL Import Custom’s Clearance Research Agent informing me stating "The shipment is being held due to the presumption (highlight mine) that it may contain goods produced with forced labor, specifically those linked to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in China" along with the list of requirements I would need to provide documenting the inner workings of the Chinese manufacturing supply chain - something your average person has literally no chance of completing. I responded with a request for an RTO (Return to Origin) for DHL to pass along to the CBP, along with a request for DHL to remove the image of my SS card from their servers, as this is sensitive personal information, and they will not be needing it going forward.
Simultaneously, I contacted DJI Support via chat and let them know what was going on. They have already escalated my order for a full refund including the Care Refresh package. I should expect to see the refund by the end of next week and will monitor my credit card for it, but I have no reason to believe I wont receive that refund. DJI Support has been fantastic. Thanks to several folks on this forum I also placed an order for the same drone with Dronepoint.ca after chatting with a representative there. I had the option to choose a shipper and went with UPS. I chose what would be the 3 day delivery, and its actually on the truck for delivery today (11/29) - one day after ordering. It cleared Customs overnight with no issues. I used an online calculator to estimate taffis and fees, which came to $0. I'll update this if that turns out to be different. DronePoint has already sent me my activation code for the DJI Care Refresh plan. I also received a followup call on the morning of 11/29 from DJI offerirng me the option for a reshipment. I explained to the rep that I've ordered through a reseller and am all set.
Some things Ive learned through this experience...
1) Ordering direct from China right now is a PITA
2) CBP is just doing their jobs and what they're told to do. I cant be angry about that. Hopefully the presumption of slave labor (a presumption/accusation being all it seems to be at the moment) is bogus.
3) DHL support is hit or miss...more miss than hit.
4) DJI Support and DronePoint Support are both stellar.
I hope this info saves someone from a potential headache during the Christmas shopping season.
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