DRONE DEALSNEWS

Buying A Drone In Canada? Here’s How To Save Hundreds

If you know any Canadians, you might hear the occassional complaint about taxes.  One of the highest taxed G7 countries, they have a 13% VAT and import duties on goods can be expensive.

Add the usually weak Loonie (Canada’s nickname for their dollar) to the mix and it’s tough to be a nation of importers….except when it comes to drones.

One of the little know secrets about DJI products is that Canadians are not subject to taxes or duties when they purchase their drone direct from DJI.

And I’m speaking from experience.  I’ve made twelve orders with DJI over the last year, on everything from the original Osmo Mobile, Osmo Mobile 2Spark and Mavic Air, Osmo Pocket and most recently the new Mavic 2 Pro.

All of my orders from DJI.com have arrived without tax or duty.  And because of the dollar value of the orders (over $99) they all shipped free.

So how does that compare to buying from a big box retailer in Canada like Best Buy?

Right now you can purchase the Mavic Air Fly More Combo at BestBuy.ca for $1349 +tax.  Canada’s VAT (called the HST) is 13%, which brings the total cost of a Mavic Air FMC to $1525.

The same Mavic Air Fly More Combo at DJI (priced in US$) is $999.  Converting that to Canadian dollars at today’s exchange rate the total comes to approx $1318 Canadian.

Buying direct from DJI.com saves the Canadian buyer over $200 on a Mavic Air.

And the same math applies to every other DJI product simply because there’s no HST with the DJI.com purchase.

Happy shopping & flying my Canuck brothers and sisters!


 

Dave Johnstone

Dave Johnstone is Managing Editor at DroneReviewsAndNews where he writes and reports on all drone news. In addition to be a Transport Canada Advanced drone pilot, he is also a contributor at HasselbladNews.com and founder of Commercialdronepilots.ca You can reach him at dronenewsguy@dronereviewsandnews.com or @dronenewsguy

4 thoughts on “Buying A Drone In Canada? Here’s How To Save Hundreds

  • Great information! Any news on taxes/duties from DJI.com to Canada since the new tariffs came into effect in July 2018?

    Reply
    • No word yet. If I hear anything I’ll post it here.

      Reply
  • is it still the case in 2022

    Reply
    • It sure is!
      We have not had HST or Duty on any DJI product we’ve purchased. Ever.
      Our last order was for the Mini 3 Pro and subsequently some extra batteries….all arrived without HST or Duty owing.

      Reply

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