Shipping used DJI Mavic 3E drone to a friend as a gift from Canada to USA

[hafizur]

I intend to send my pre-owned DJI Mavic 3E—registered in my name in Canada and valued at roughly CAD 4,000—as a gift to a friend in the United States. What steps do I need to take to clear it through customs? My plan is ship it using FedEx.

 

[AZAV8R]

I suggest you ask that question of FedEx, as they are likely the best qualified to answer it vs. some of the web cowboys on this site. I suspect you'll have no problems because it's not a commerce situation; but that's just me. Would you mind coming back and sharing the answer?

 

[Max Headroom]

I suggest you ask that question of FedEx, as they are likely the best qualified to answer it vs. some of the web cowboys on this site.

I suspect you'll have no problems because it's not a commerce situation; but that's just me.

Wow you call some members Web cowboys for giving what you consider unqualified answers then say "I suspect you'll have no problems because it's not a commerce situation" does that not put you in the same category for giving unqualified thoughts on the subject?

 

[Johnmcl7]

Due to the value of the item, I believe that import taxes will need to be paid on the item even though it's a gift - Fedex explain it on this page:

FedEx | System Down

The gift exemption for eligible gifts imported into the U.S. is USD 100 or less, per gift, per recipient, per day. For consolidated gift shipments, the name of each individual receiving a gift, the description of the gift item(s) for each individual, and the value of each item must be shown on the Commercial Invoice. Each gift in the shipment must be clearly identified as one gift. And, the complete name, address and phone number of both the shipper and consignee must be stated on the Commercial Invoice.

To be eligible for the gift exemption, gift shipments must be sent from an individual to an individual or from a business to an individual. Please note that business-to-business shipments do not qualify as gifts and are not eligible for the exemption.

If any item exceeds the gift allowance, the entire shipment will be dutiable.

When you ship the item you'll need to give information on the item, size, weight and the current value which will be used for the tax calculation. Someone can hopefully recommend a good calculator for the US but I'd check this carefully first so you and your friend are aware of the potential charges. I've recently had a nightmare with a shipment across the border where there was a mistake with the tax calculation I couldn't get sorted so I decided to refuse the shipment. I thought that effectively cancelled the import and the fees but it didn't, the items would have been exported back to the original country and the import bill to my country would still have been due. Thankfully I found this out quickly after and had the item delivered then had to sort out the import mess after.

There's been some horror stories with DJI repairs from Canada back to the US being charged at a ridiculous rate but I've only seen that with UPS and hopefully with the current pause on the tariffs, that won't happen for your shipment.

 

[Cafguy]

The "de minimus exemption" was revoked in May so anything with a value of 800 dollars or less brought into the U.S. now faces import fees and duties.
Yippie ki yay.

 

[AZAV8R]

Wow you call some members Web cowboys for giving what you consider unqualified answers then say "I suspect you'll have no problems because it's not a commerce situation" does that not put you in the same category for giving unqualified thoughts on the subject?

I believe I was very specific in my statement “that's just me" after pointing the OP to a qualified source. My reference to internet cowboys pertains to those that give bad advice while positioning themselves as experts.

You might consider reading more carefully next time before you attack someone from behind your keyboard.

 

[Max Headroom]

You might consider reading more carefully next time before you attack someone from behind your keyboard.

"Attack" are you serious?
I was merely pointing out the irony of what you posted, lets compare what i posted in that post to you to you calling members "Web cowboys" would you not class that as an "attack from behind your keyboard" if it was someone else that had posted it and not you?

When someone gives an opinion they don't need to add "that's just my opinion" as they also don't need to add "I am no expert" it's a discussion forum where members give their opinions on topics there is no requirement for members to be experts or qualified in any way to give those opinions, I assume members research relevant information they read here and don't assume everything is factually correct I know that's what I do.