A 25% Drone Tariff Lands September 3 — If You Want a DJI Mini, the Clock Is Running

The best sub-250g drones you can buy are DJI Minis — and the terms for buying one in the US are about to get worse. A proclamation signed on August 13 adds a 25 percent tariff to imported drones starting September 3, on top of FCC and customs actions that have already thinned DJI's US supply. If you have been meaning to buy a Mini, this is the week to do it.

What's actually happening

Three things have stacked up. The FCC added DJI to its Covered List on December 22, 2025, which blocks new DJI models from getting US authorization. Customs and Border Protection has been detaining DJI shipments under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act since October 2024, which is the real reason DJI's own store and major retailers keep showing models sold out. And now the August 13 proclamation layers a 25 percent tariff on covered drones weighing 25 kilograms or less, effective September 3.

The important nuance: existing FCC-authorized DJI drones remain legal to buy, sell, and fly, and nothing here grounds current owners. But the units on shelves now are essentially the last clean US inventory, and their prices are set to rise.

The Mini 5 Pro is the better drone you probably can't get

The newer DJI Mini 5 Pro, our number-three pick, is a real leap: a 1-inch sensor, a 36-minute flight time, and forward LiDAR for low-light obstacle sensing. But it never got a clean US launch. DPReview reported it would not be officially sold here, and American buyers have struggled to find it through official channels because of the customs situation. If you spot one in stock at a fair price, the camera alone justifies it — but do not build your plans around finding it.

The Mini 4 Pro is the one to actually buy

Our number-five pick, the DJI Mini 4 Pro, is the pragmatic call. It is already FCC-authorized, still widely stocked, and its 1/1.3-inch sensor and sub-250g weight — light enough to skip FAA registration — still make it the best all-around beginner-to-enthusiast drone on the list. Buying before September 3 sidesteps the new tariff, and buying while inventory is healthy sidesteps the restock lottery.

If you'd rather skip the DJI question entirely

Not everyone wants to bet on a company in the middle of a regulatory fight. Our list also ranks non-DJI options like the Holy Stone HS720G for budget buyers who want a simple, GPS-equipped drone without the geopolitics.

The bottom line: a new tariff plus shrinking supply means the DJI drone you want will likely cost more and be harder to find after this month. Check where each option stands on Best Drones, and if a Mini is on your shortlist, buy it this week.

Common Questions

Is DJI banned in the US in 2026?

Not outright. Existing FCC-authorized DJI models remain legal to buy, sell, and fly, and current owners are not affected. What has changed is supply: the FCC added DJI to its Covered List on December 22, 2025, which blocks new DJI models from getting US authorization, and Customs and Border Protection has been detaining DJI shipments under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act since October 2024. The result is thin, unreliable inventory rather than an outright ban.

What is the new drone tariff and when does it start?

A proclamation signed on August 13, 2026 adds a 25% tariff to covered nonthermal drones weighing 25 kilograms or less, beginning September 3, 2026. That threshold covers essentially every consumer drone, including all of DJI's sub-250g Mini models. Combined with already-tight supply, it means the drone you want is likely to cost more and be harder to find after early September.

Can I still buy the DJI Mini 5 Pro in the US?

Officially, the Mini 5 Pro never got a clean US launch. DPReview reported it would not be sold in the US, and American buyers have struggled to find it through official channels because of the customs situation. You may come across stock at some retailers, but availability has been inconsistent, so do not count on being able to get one at a fair price.

Should I buy the DJI Mini 4 Pro or the Mini 5 Pro?

For US buyers, the Mini 4 Pro is the safer choice right now. It is already FCC-authorized, still widely stocked, and its 1/1.3-inch sensor and sub-250g weight make it the best all-around beginner-to-enthusiast drone on our list. The Mini 5 Pro is the better camera drone thanks to its 1-inch sensor and 36-minute flight time, but only if you can actually find one at a reasonable price.

If I already own a DJI drone, will it stop working?

No. The current FCC and tariff actions do not ground existing owners or disable drones already in the field. If you own an FCC-authorized DJI drone, you can keep flying it. The restrictions affect new imports and marketing, not the aircraft people already have.