In late 2024, DJI, the world’s leading drone manufacturer, encountered significant challenges importing certain drone models into the United States. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cited the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) as the basis for detaining these shipments, raising concerns across various industries that rely on DJI’s technology.The Verge+2DRONELIFE+2The Verge+2DroneDJ+3viewpoints.dji.com+3The Verge+3
Understanding the UFLPA and Its Implications
The UFLPA, enacted to prevent goods produced with forced labor—particularly from China’s Xinjiang region—from entering the U.S. market, places the burden of proof on importers to demonstrate their products are free from such labor practices. Under this law, CBP has the authority to detain goods suspected of violating these standards, even without direct evidence.sUAS News+2PetaPixel+2viewpoints.dji.com+2
DJI has firmly denied any association with forced labor, stating that it neither operates manufacturing facilities in Xinjiang nor sources materials from the region. The company emphasizes that its manufacturing is based in Shenzhen, China, and Malaysia, and it is not listed on the UFLPA Entity List. Furthermore, DJI asserts compliance with international labor standards and U.S. laws, including holding the ISO 45001 certification for occupational health and safety. viewpoints.dji.com+4DRONELIFE+4sUAS News+4DRONELIFE+3viewpoints.dji.com+3sUAS News+3
Impact on U.S. Businesses and Industries
The detention of DJI drones at U.S. ports has disrupted various sectors, including agriculture, emergency services, and filmmaking, which rely heavily on DJI’s affordable and high-performance drones. The uncertainty surrounding the availability of these drones has raised concerns about operational delays and increased costs. The Verge+3AP News+3DRONELIFE+3
While there is a push to bolster domestic drone manufacturing, industry experts highlight challenges in scaling production to meet current demand. For instance, some U.S. drone manufacturers face significant delays in fulfilling orders, underscoring the complexities of rapidly replacing established supply chains. DroneDJ
DJI’s Response and Ongoing Efforts
DJI has characterized the situation as a “customs-related misunderstanding” and is actively working with CBP to provide documentation demonstrating compliance with the UFLPA. The company remains committed to the U.S. market and continues to engage with stakeholders to resolve the issue promptly. The Verge+5DRONELIFE+5viewpoints.dji.com+5sUAS News+3PetaPixel+3DroneDJ+3
Looking Ahead
The outcome of this customs issue holds significant implications for the drone industry and U.S. businesses dependent on DJI’s technology. As the situation evolves, stakeholders are closely monitoring developments to assess potential impacts on operations and supply chains.The Verge+3DRONELIFE+3DroneDJ+3Reuters
For businesses relying on DJI drones, it is advisable to stay informed about the latest updates and consider contingency plans to mitigate potential disruptions.
For further information and updates on this issue, please refer to the following sources: