USDroneSupply

[Made2Phly]

Has anyone had experience with USDRONESUPPLY.COM? I want to buy a mini 5 pro from them. They are a U.S. re-seller. Their FB and website state that their drones are "powered on and activated" before sale. To my understanding, "activated" also means bound with somebody's account. They have not answered several inquires from me about that. So...seems like at least 2 red flags.

 

[mavic3usa]

Has anyone had experience with USDRONESUPPLY.COM? I want to buy a mini 5 pro from them. They are a U.S. re-seller. Their FB and website state that their drones are "powered on and activated" before sale. To my understanding, "activated" also means bound with somebody's account. They have not answered several inquires from me about that. So...seems like at least 2 red flags.

So why would you pay $500 more to get a drone from them when they are obviously getting their drones from other sources (overseas) and marking them up as if they are paying some sort of tariff and passing costs along to you? Do you believe you may have some sort of advantage by purchasing from an American company such as a US warranty or access to DJI Care Refresh? I don't see the angle but my understanding is they are fair game if you need someone to do the work for you and take the risk....they'll do it. Just be mindful of their no returns policy.

 

[DoomMeister]

I wouldn’t use that company for anything!!! Once you pay them you are screwed.

 

[Cafguy]

They have some good reviews, some from as soon as a month ago.. I think they open the boxes to save on fees somehow but I would be cautious too.. I dont know what kind of warranty you will get with it, and everyone on the reviews reports the Drones are defauted to Chinese and need to be changed to english.

 

[Made2Phly]

I am guessing the reviews on FB are fake. The Company posts a reply, like "Glad you like it" to every positive review. There are no negative reviews. I posted my question under their FB posts and got no response.

My decision is to not buy from them Thanks all for the helpful responses.

 

[anotherlab]

They have some good reviews, some from as soon as a month ago.. I think they open the boxes to save on fees somehow but I would be cautious too.. I dont know what kind of warranty you will get with it, and everyone on the reviews reports the Drones are defauted to Chinese and need to be changed to english.

Opening and activating a drone would not bypass the tariffs. According to U.S. customs precedent, the tariff classification is based on the article "in the condition in which it is imported". Opening the box does not change the essential nature of the drone. For customs purposes, it remains a new drone.

This is also why if a US citizen drives across the border to buy a DJI drone in Canada and uses the drone in Canada, they would owe the tariff. There used to be an $800 personal exemption, but in August, an executive order closed the "de minimis" exemption.

 

[MS Coast]

This is also why if a US citizen drives across the border to buy a DJI drone in Canada and uses the drone in Canada, they would owe the tariff. There used to be an $800 personal exemption, but in August, an executive order closed the "de minimis" exemption.

The $800 duty-free exemption for purchases by returning travelers is different from the de minimis import tariff exemption. The traveler's duty-free exemption is still in place.

CBP Customer Service

 

[anotherlab]

The $800 duty-free exemption for purchases by returning travelers is different from the de minimis import tariff exemption. The traveler's duty-free exemption is still in place.

CBP Customer Service

You're right, I read the wrong page.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Opening and activating a drone would not bypass the tariffs. According to U.S. customs precedent, the tariff classification is based on the article "in the condition in which it is imported". Opening the box does not change the essential nature of the drone. For customs purposes, it remains a new drone.

This is also why if a US citizen drives across the border to buy a DJI drone in Canada and uses the drone in Canada, they would owe the tariff. There used to be an $800 personal exemption, but in August, an executive order closed the "de minimis" exemption.

Opening the box and activating the drone does, in fact, change the essential nature from "new" to technically "used," which then changes the value to whatever they decide a used drone is worth, which can be significantly less than a new, unactivated drone, with the original manufacturer's tamperproof seal still intact.

This would then legally allow them to choose the amount of the tariffs to be paid, as they can set the used value. They could even claim the unit is defective and is only being sold for parts.

 

[anotherlab]

Opening the box and activating the drone does, in fact, change the essential nature from "new" to technically "used," which then changes the value to whatever they decide a used drone is worth, which can be significantly less than a new, unactivated drone, with the original manufacturer's tamperproof seal still intact.

This would then legally allow them to choose the amount of the tariffs to be paid, as they can set the used value. They could even claim the unit is defective and is only being sold for parts.

For customs valuation, tariffs apply to used equipment the same way they apply to new equipment. The key factors are the country of origin, the item's value, and how you are bringing it into the country.

 

[GadgetGuy]

For customs valuation, tariffs apply to used equipment the same way they apply to new equipment. The key factors are the country of origin, the item's value, and how you are bringing it into the country.

You are completely missing the point.
The value of used equipment is not the same as the value of new equipment.
Hence, by making it into used, by opening the box and activating it in a foreign country, it is now used, and not new.
Now the seller can claim it is defective and the value is only for parts for tariff calculation purposes.