What to Know for the 2025 Spray Drone Season

The spray drone industry is buzzing with big developments ahead of the 2025 Spray Drone Season. There’s talk of potential tariffs on imported goods, ongoing political discussions about bans, and a growing number of options for operators to choose from. With so much happening, it’s more important than ever to understand how these changes might affect your business as you plan for the 2025 spray season.

In this post, we’ll break down the current state of the industry. We’ll cover what the proposed tariffs could mean for drone pricing, provide an update on DJI’s availability, look at FAA regulatory timelines, and discuss key considerations for evaluating your options as the market continues to evolve. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of what’s ahead and how to make the best decisions for your operation.

What Tariffs Could Mean for Drone Pricing

While no tariffs have been enacted yet, President-elect Trump has proposed a 10% tariff on Chinese goods beginning in 2025. At this stage, the details remain uncertain, but it’s important to understand how these tariffs could impact drone pricing if implemented.

What Are Tariffs and How Do They Work?

Tariffs are essentially taxes placed on imported goods, paid by US importers at the time of import. These additional costs are typically passed along to consumers in the form of higher retail prices.

The proposed 10% tariff would apply to all Chinese-manufactured goods, including agricultural spray drones and related equipment. This means that products from industry leaders like DJI, as well as other manufacturers based in China, could see price increases.

Potential Impact on Pricing

If enacted, a 10% tariff could significantly affect drone pricing:

For a spray drone like the DJI T50 (Drone & Remote Only), which currently retails for approximately $18,000, the tariff could add an additional $1,800 or more to the purchase price. For those purchasing Fly-Ready packages the implication is even greater depending on your package inclusions. 

Under this scenario, other drones manufactured in China would also experience comparable price hikes across their product lines.

In addition to raising costs, tariffs could disrupt supply chains, potentially leading to reduced availability or longer lead times for affected products.

What This Means for Operators

Although no tariffs have been confirmed yet, the possibility alone highlights the importance of planning ahead. Operators who purchase now can lock in current pricing, avoiding the potential for price hikes if tariffs are enacted.

Acting early also helps ensure that your equipment is delivered in time to meet the regulatory requirements for FAA 44807 exemptions and Part 137 certifications—both of which are critical for commercial drone operators and currently take several months to process.

By making your purchase sooner rather than later, you can protect your bottom line and be fully prepared for the 2025 spray drone season. The clock is certainly ticking as January 20th is just around the corner.

DJI Drone Ban Update

The Update

In the world of spray drones, few topics have sparked as much concern and speculation as the potential for a DJI drone ban. Thankfully, there’s good news for operators: the Countering CCP Drones Act, which had the potential to ban DJI drones, was excluded from the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This means no immediate restrictions or bans on DJI drones are expected as we move into 2025.

Supply Chain Challenges

Although there’s no imminent ban, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently begun holding certain DJI shipments at the border under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). While these holds don’t constitute a ban, they have created disruptions for some distributors and dealers.

The UFLPA, which went into effect in June 2022, is designed to prevent the import of goods produced with forced labor, particularly from China’s Xinjiang region. DJI has stated that:

• It does not source materials or operate in the Xinjiang region.
• Its manufacturing is primarily based in Shenzhen and Malaysia.
• It is actively cooperating with CBP to resolve this “customs-related misunderstanding” by providing documentation demonstrating compliance with U.S. labor and trade laws.

So far, larger shipments appear to be more affected by these holds, while smaller shipments continue to clear customs. This situation has created pockets of uncertainty in the market, affecting availability for some models.

For operators, the bottom line is that DJI drones remain available, and their reputation as a reliable and proven platform is intact. However, recent supply chain disruptions serve as a reminder to plan ahead, particularly for the 2025 spray drone season. Acting early can help avoid potential delays caused by customs reviews or other logistical challenges.

As the drone industry evolves, staying informed about regulatory developments will be critical. For now, DJI continues to be a dependable choice for those looking for high-quality, performance-proven spray drones.

Current FAA Timelines

For commercial spray drone operators, compliance with FAA regulations is non-negotiable. To legally operate a drone like the DJI T50, which exceeds 55 pounds, you’ll need to secure certain exemptions, certifications, and registrations, such as the 44807 exemption and Part 137 certification. The 44807 exemption permits the operation of drones over 55 pounds for agricultural purposes, while Part 137 certification is required for aerial applications, including spraying pesticides or fertilizers. Additionally, your drone must be registered with the FAA and assigned a tail number, just like an airplane. You can learn more about these requirements here. 

Here’s the challenge… these approvals take time. Right now, the FAA is processing applications in 6 to 7 months, and delays due to errors or missing information can push this timeline even further. To even begin the process, the FAA requires the serial number of your drone, meaning you can’t submit paperwork until your drone has been purchased and delivered.

The Clock is Ticking for the 2025 Season

If you’re banking on operating for the 2025 spray season, the clock is already working against you. If your drone isn’t purchased soon, you risk pushing your approval date even later, potentially cutting into your ability to take advantage of the critical early months of the spray season. Missing this window not only disrupts your operational plans but can also impact your ROI for the season.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to speed up the FAA’s processing time—it’s the government, after all—but there are steps you can take to minimize delays and ensure your approval goes as smoothly as possible.

What This Means for You

The sooner you purchase your drone, the sooner you can begin the FAA approval process. Acting now ensures you’ll be ready for the 2025 spray season without unnecessary delays. Additionally, getting the paperwork right the first time is crucial—any errors or omissions can result in your application being kicked back to the end of the line.

The good news is that you don’t have to navigate this process alone. Our FAA Compliance Package takes the guesswork out of FAA approvals. From submitting the paperwork to ensuring all details are correct, we’ll handle the process so you don’t have to. This not only reduces the risk of delays but also gives you peace of mind knowing your approvals are in expert hands.

While there’s always the possibility that the FAA could expedite its processes, counting on that is a gamble you probably don’t want to take. If time is of the essence, the best course of action is to purchase your drone now, get your serial number, and start the approval process as soon as possible.

Considerations When Evaluating New Drone Alternatives

The spray drone industry is evolving, with new options entering the market that show promise for operators looking to diversify their fleets or explore alternatives. These emerging choices reflect the innovation and growth happening in the industry, creating exciting possibilities for those looking to expand their capabilities. However, with new options comes the need for careful evaluation to ensure they meet your operational needs.

Key Considerations

Reliability is one of the most important factors to consider when evaluating new drone alternatives. Proven platforms like DJI have established a strong track record of performance and durability, giving operators confidence in their ability to perform under real-world conditions. Newer entrants, while promising, may still be working to build that same level of trust.

Another crucial aspect is support. Access to parts, service, and customer assistance can vary significantly between manufacturers. Having reliable support ensures that any issues can be resolved quickly, minimizing downtime during the critical spray season.

Finally, performance should always be top of mind. A drone is a long-term investment, and its value depends on how well it performs in the field. Products that have been rigorously tested in real-world agricultural applications offer the peace of mind that they can handle the demands of your operation.

Our Perspective

At AcuSpray, we’re excited to get our hands on some of the new options making their way into the market. Innovation drives progress, and these developments represent the future of agricultural technology. However, our commitment is to provide fully tested, vetted, and field-proven solutions that operators can trust. While we explore these emerging technologies, we remain focused on offering products that meet the highest standards of reliability, support, and performance. As the industry grows, you can count on us to evaluate these developments carefully, ensuring that our recommendations align with your success in the field.

What You Can Do Now

Planning ahead is critical for operators looking to make the most of the 2025 spray season. With FAA approval timelines stretching to 6 or even 7 months, starting the process now is the only way to increase the odds your drone is ready to go when the season begins. Acting now also allows you to lock in current pricing and avoid potential increases due to tariffs or supply chain disruptions.

At AcuSpray, our goal is to support you every step of the way. From selecting the right drone to navigating the complexities of FAA certifications, we’re here to make the process as seamless as possible. If you’re considering adding a spray drone to your operation, there’s no better time to get started. Reach out today—we’d be happy to answer your questions and help you prepare for success in the season ahead.