Hello everyone

I am new to this forum. I am jerry writing from Chicago. I am moving back to India (kerala). I have a question for you guys. Any help would be appreciated. I am bringing my Spetrum DX7 (2.4Ghz) Air Transmitter with me in my checked baggage. I have personally used it for a year and I am also moving my residence to Kerala. My question do I have to pay customs duty for it? When coming into the customs, Should I use the red channel to show the customs officers what I have with me or just get out through the green channel. Do I need any supporting documents to show that legitimacy of the transmitter. Any help would be much appreciated.

This is me flying -



Thanks
Jerry
Chicago

Hello Jerry,

Welcome back!

Well, I am considering, for simplicity that you are carrying only this transmitter and not many other "red channel" items. It need not be declared at the customs. Its a part of your personal baggage and moreover it is used. I am sure many of our fellow aeromodellers must be buying stuff from abroad and bringing it in without customs hassles. Ofcourse there are duty free limits as well, so no worries I think.

Further, many such people who move back permanently have a tendency to bring many many such items which are generally not available here, or are very expensive. If you are among them, take a call based on what you bring in, in totality.

-Shrikant

Hi Srikant

Wow! I am impressed .. That was the fastest reply I ever got . Thanks for your suggestion. Yes, I am only bringing my transmitter and receiver. Rest I already shipped it from Chicago to my home. I dont want a lot of wires and stuff in my bag you know. I bought some planes from Bananahobby.com and it should be on its way to kerala. I will be rebuilding my FPV plane too I will be landing next week. Still feel a bit nervous, since I paid a fortune for the tx-rx set over here :O. Anyways I really appreciate your help

Cheers
Jerry

Everyone I know who have been through a similar situation have put the TX in their checked  baggage, and walked out of the green channel.  The reason seems to be that the customs folks who X ray these things are quite familiar with seeing similar profiles on their screens caused by 100s or 1000s of toy remotes, so they don't really care.

I know people who have taken radios at least 20 times in and out   While it is not guaranteed that it will be trouble free, the chances are as remote as one winning a lottery 

Hi Anwar

Yeah I hope for the best. Anyways, I have the bill and copy of the ammendment, from the Ministry of Telecommunications regarding the delicensure of 2.4Ghz frequency radios and the use of such devices by civilians. Thanks for the response

Jerry

A "Lottery" Jerry wouldnt ever want to win 

Thats the point Anwar, the customs guys are accustomed to toy remotes and similar looking stuff. These days they dont care much as long as they dont see lot of metal gleaming inside...

You're welcome Jerry and all the very best. Post your experience here later for others to know (and feel relieved)

P.S: Thats an interesting thing, isnt it? I believe, there have always been discussions about whats is legal an what is not and the proofs relating to that.

Srikant

I have bought $$$ worth stuff from Hobby King with no issues in US. Man I thought India offers much more freedom to citizens. I guess I am wrong. Our customs duty is one of the worse in the world! They can range from 12%-500%.. crazy times

Quote from: jerryazhakathu on January 06, 2010, 09:26:03 AM
Anyways, I have the bill and copy of the ammendment, from the Ministry of Telecommunications regarding the delicensure of 2.4Ghz frequency radios and the use of such devices by civilians.

The bill is sort of a good thing.

But that licensing thing....  you are generally better off not talking about licensing at all.  *If* you need to talk, just keep the talk confined to finances, hide that licensing piece of paper, and get it done   

Anyone else with any more suggestions? insights?

Hi folks

I am Leaving Chicago today 

Coming with all my electronics and radio    keeping fingers crossed 

Will let everyone know how it goes....

Hi All

Arrived Cochin, Kerala Safe. Never had any trouble with customs or anything. YESSS> I have all my radio gear and stuff. I will start flying soon..

Cheers
Jerry

Welcome

Now please do keep us updated on what happens with the stuff that you have directly ordered as parcels into Kerala.

Today I received my ccd camera, OSD and AV tx rx unit for my fpv project. I had to pay 240rs as customs duty(for my ccd camera only because the seller didnt marked it as a gift  ). I have also received my LiPo Batteries from Hong Kong with no issues after 12 days.

Great..  congrats... for the trouble free passage..

and regarding the package. i'd say not a bad deal overall.... (ofcourse depending on the cost of camera...

Customs related discussions are consolidated in this thread :

http://www.rcindia.org/rc-general-topics/parcel-stuck-in-customs/

Locking this one.