U.S. Customs began collecting new Section 232 tariffs of up to 100 percent on imported thermal drones and automated docking systems on September 3. The duties target Chinese‑made equipment used by police and public‑safety agencies.
The duties hit DJI, the Shenzhen‑based firm whose thermal drones and Dock 3 stations are already in use by dozens of U.S. law‑enforcement departments. The company’s products are widely deployed across multiple agencies.
South Carolina’s Department of Natural Resources awarded a contract for DJI Matrice 4TD thermal drones and related gear. The procurement record lists Airworx Unmanned Solutions as the vendor and the contract runs from September 14 to November 30.
The public record does not reveal whether the drones had entered the United States before the September 3 tariff took effect. The timing of import is unclear.
The Epoch Times asked the state Department of Natural Resources and Airworx whether the new duty would affect price, availability or delivery, but neither responded by publication time. No comment was received.
Fairfield Police Department in California plans to expand its DJI Matrice 4TD fleet. It seeks seven additional units beyond two already authorized, for a total authorized fleet of nine, estimating $9,899 per drone.
The records do not indicate how many of those seven aircraft have been ordered or delivered. The status of the orders remains unknown.
Fairfield Police did not respond to a request for comment by publication time. They declined to provide further details.
Agencies Still Buying DJI Systems
Other departments completed major purchases before the tariff took effect. Torrance Police acquired eight DJI Dock 3/Matrice 4TD systems in 2025, Captain Fareed Ahmad told The Epoch Times. Ahmad said the department has not requested updated pricing, availability or delivery information since the tariff began, and when asked about higher costs for replacement drones, he said it would compare all options, weighing cost, safety, reliability and capability.
Why Thermal Systems Face the Highest Rate
President Donald Trump imposed the tariffs on August 13, adding a 100 percent duty on drones with thermal imagers, drones over 25 kilograms, and docking stations, while smaller covered drones face a 25 percent rate. The Commerce Department said U.S. drone production still relies on foreign suppliers for motors, electronic speed controllers, batteries and docking stations, citing cybersecurity and supply‑chain risks. The duties apply to goods entered for consumption on or after September 3 and do not affect equipment already imported before that date.
DJI has not responded to The Epoch Times request for comment on how the tariffs will affect U.S. pricing and availability. No comment was received.
