US Customs Halts DJI Drone Imports Amid Forced Labor Concerns
U.S. government halts DJI drone imports citing UFLPA. DJI denies forced labor involvement in manufacturing. Concerns raised about data security risks with DJI drones.
In a letter seen by Reuters, DJI informed distributors that U.S. Customs and Border Protection is invoking the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) to prevent the import of some drones into the U.S.
DJI, a major drone manufacturer, stated that no forced labour is used in any part of the manufacturing process and is providing Customs with documentation demonstrating compliance with the UFLPA. The company stated that this move appears to be part of a larger effort by the Department of Homeland Security to investigate product origins, particularly those involving Chinese-made drones.
The letter from DJI described the claims against them as "unsubstantiated and categorically false," emphasising that the law allows for the withholding of goods in the absence of concrete evidence. Despite these claims, U.S. lawmakers have repeatedly expressed concerns about the potential data transmission, surveillance, and national security risks associated with DJI drones, which the company disputes.
The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation prohibiting DJI from operating new drones in the United States, which is now awaiting Senate approval. Furthermore, the Commerce Department is considering imposing restrictions on Chinese drones, which could effectively prohibit their use in the United States, similar to proposed restrictions on Chinese vehicles.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo stated that the focus is on drones with Chinese and Russian components, chips, and software. Concerns about these products are part of a larger national security discussion. The UFLPA, which went into effect in June 2022, seeks to address forced labour abuses against Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups in China's Xinjiang region by prohibiting the import of goods produced in Xinjiang or by specific entities.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has yet to respond to requests for comment on this matter, so the situation with DJI drones and the implications of the UFLPA remain uncertain.
U.S. government halts DJI drone imports citing UFLPA
DJI denies forced labor involvement in manufacturing
Concerns raised about data security risks with DJI drones
Source: REUTERS