Will the Mini 5 Pro obtained from England work in the U.S?

[Paul Harvey]

Hello all.

My brother-in-law, who lives in England, is coming to visit me in the U.S.

If he buys a Mini 5 Pro there and brings it here, will it work ok?

Anyone know? Any guesses?

Thanks in advance.

Livingston

 

[mavic3usa]

Yes it will activate and it will fly in the US as long as the M5P is similar to the M4P and other previous DJI Mini series drones. However, there are other considerations for US residents buying and using DJI drones purchased overseas. And now, you know the rest of the story.

 

[Paul Harvey]

Thanks, but what are the "other considerations?"

BTW: I won't be buying it. My brother-in-law will. Does that make a difference?

 

[mavic3usa]

Thanks, but what are the "other considerations?"

BTW: I won't be buying it. My brother-in-law will. Does that make a difference?

Same as the discussion in the post below, when you buy a drone from another country, the warranty and service plans and repairs are based on the region in the world where the drone was purchased from, not where it currently resides. Flyers should take that into consideration when they make their purchase and anticipate maybe not being able to have smooth solid support should they run into issues.

Post in thread 'Please Add Mini Pro 5 To Mini Series Forum!'

Sep 17, 2025

Registration and flying…probably not. If you live close enough to Canada you might want to get a post office box or something for the warranty part. It may make things easier for you unless you know someone there.

• Cafguy

 

[LoudThunder]

First consideration is that DJI will not repair it in the USA. All maintenance must be performed in the country of sale… Reason is that DJI certifies that drones sold in the country will meet all regulatory rules and laws. Since there may be Firmware difference between US and European drones, DJI will not risk changing out a part that might violate the local laws…

Next you and he need to decide how he will pass it through US Customs… Will he try to get it through customs as a gift for his BIL (you) or try to pretend it is his personal drone…

If he tries to pass it off as a gift for his BIL (you…), customs might consider it an import and subject to all import tariffs and since it is a "CHINESE DRONE" it just might be seized if they think your BIL is importing it…

Or he could try to pass it off as his personal drone, and it probably should be "somewhat used…" and for him to fly a drone in the US, tourists must register their drone with the FAA and take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) for recreational flights. Drones weighing over 250 grams must also have Remote ID capability, and foreigners must submit a Notice of Identification (NOI) and carry the resulting Confirmation of Identification (CID).

So, I would advise you and your BIL to research this… I guess it is a lot to consider, do you try to get it through customs as a gift for his BIL (you) or try to pretend it is his personal drone…

As for me, my son is working a big electrical contract in Saginaw, Michigan, and that is only a short drive into Canada, but I would not ask him to try to go get me one at this divisive Chinese Drone time…

 

[Paul Harvey]

First consideration is that DJI will not repair it in the USA. All maintenance must be performed in the country of sale… Reason is that DJI certifies that drones sold in the country will meet all regulatory rules and laws. Since there may be Firmware difference between US and European drones, DJI will not risk changing out a part that might violate the local laws…

Next you and he need to decide how he will pass it through US Customs… Will he try to get it through customs as a gift for his BIL (you) or try to pretend it is his personal drone…

If he tries to pass it off as a gift for his BIL (you…), customs might consider it an import and subject to all import tariffs and since it is a "CHINESE DRONE" it just might be seized if they think your BIL is importing it…

Or he could try to pass it off as his personal drone, and it probably should be "somewhat used…" and for him to fly a drone in the US, tourists must register their drone with the FAA and take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) for recreational flights. Drones weighing over 250 grams must also have Remote ID capability, and foreigners must submit a Notice of Identification (NOI) and carry the resulting Confirmation of Identification (CID).

So, I would advise you and your BIL to research this… I guess it is a lot to consider, do you try to get it through customs as a gift for his BIL (you) or try to pretend it is his personal drone…

As for me, my son is working a big electrical contract in Saginaw, Michigan, and that is only a short drive into Canada, but I would not ask him to try to go get me one at this divisive Chinese Drone time…

Sheesh! Given all that, maybe I shouldn't risk it. Dang, I didn't think it would be so difficult

Thanks!

 

[mavic3usa]

Sheesh! Given all that, maybe I shouldn't risk it. Dang, I didn't think it would be so difficult

Thanks!

yeah DJI cannot afford to run a global shop at this point. if you go to their website, they have it broken down into various stores by countries across all regions where they sell. That accounts for product availability, pricing, warranty, service, etc as well as rules and regulations that are specific to each country. It's the nature of the global society we live in and honestly, I think DJI is doing a pretty good job with it (other than blocking current US sales).

 

[Paul Harvey]

yeah DJI cannot afford to run a global shop at this point. if you go to their website, they have it broken down into various stores by countries across all regions where they sell. That accounts for product availability, pricing, warranty, service, etc as well as rules and regulations that are specific to each country. It's the nature of the global society we live in and honestly, I think DJI is doing a pretty good job with it (other than blocking current US sales).

Guess I'll just have to wait 'til it hits the USA, if ever

 

[Bad Santa]

What if your BIL just "forgot" to pack it to take it home?
If he's a resident of the UK, that is. If he's a US citizen then he's going to have to pay the tariff.

 

[Kendallfordguy]

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

[Cymruflyer]

Same as the discussion in the post below, when you buy a drone from another country, the warranty and service plans and repairs are based on the region in the world where the drone was purchased from, not where it currently resides. Flyers should take that into consideration when they make their purchase and anticipate maybe not being able to have smooth solid support should they run into issues.

Post in thread 'Please Add Mini Pro 5 To Mini Series Forum!'

Sep 17, 2025

Registration and flying…probably not. If you live close enough to Canada you might want to get a post office box or something for the warranty part. It may make things easier for you unless you know someone there.

• Cafguy

Since none of us can get any DJI service for the drones we bought in America, at the moment, what difference can there be? You can't get service for a British bought or American bought drone from DJI in the US at the moment. There is your answer.

 

[Paul Harvey]

What if your BIL just "forgot" to pack it to take it home?
If he's a resident of the UK, that is. If he's a US citizen then he's going to have to pay the tariff.

He's been living in the UK for 20+ years and is a citizen there. He's also a US citizen due to dual citizenship.

 

[Bad Santa]

He's been living in the UK for 20+ years and is a citizen there. He's also a US citizen due to dual citizenship.

Sounds easy then. Declare it as his property when he comes to visit. Just for verification, have him get his TRUST certificate.
Hey, if he forgets to take his drone home, maybe he'll let you use it til he comes back for it.

 

[Paul Harvey]

Sounds easy then. Declare it as his property when he comes to visit. Just for verification, have him get his TRUST certificate.
Hey, if he forgets to take his drone home, maybe he'll let you use it til he comes back for it.

Does England have a TRUST equivalent? And yes, I'm sure he'll let me use it

 

[twickers14]

If he’s going to fly it in the US don’t forget to get some public injury insurance. An additional point to the excellent things above

 

[LoudThunder]

Sheesh! Given all that, maybe I shouldn't risk it. Dang, I didn't think it would be so difficult

Thanks!

I would not give up hope yet… this came off the DJI Web Site. Maybe they know more than they are letting on, or perhaps they are just hoping for a ground-swell, grass-roots effort to get the DJI mini class drones back on the market…

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[Cymruflyer]

Does England have a TRUST equivalent? And yes, I'm sure he'll let me use it

Yes, it does however, a little more involved and many more questions.

 

[wjkrysak]

Hope it all works out for you.