Beijing drone sales ban forces DJI to clear shelves, halt e-commerce shipments

Beginning September 1, 2023, a new rule in Beijing will ban drone sales and require that each drone be registered with an identity. This law, approved by the local legislature in March, is one of the toughest regulations on drones in China. In reaction to this, DJI, the top drone maker worldwide, is clearing out its stock at its flagship store in Beijing's Guomao area, taking down all drones from budget options to high-end Mavic models. With customers rushing to buy drones before the rule kicks in, supplies are running low. Moreover, major e-commerce platforms like Alibaba’s Taobao and JD.com have halted deliveries to the city, and several DJI stores are urging customers to make purchases soon, as seen in messages shared with the South China Morning Post.