1. Definitely in checked luggage. Preferably with the battery inside the radio, but disconnected.

2. Minimize the amount of RC stuff in the same bag.

3. There is no absolute guarantee, but one has to be really unlucky to get into customs issues going this route.

hi all,
    I have 35% (100cc) plane that I need to get back from the U.S. Was wondering if it was worth it. The main problem is the fuse which is more around 7ft long. Has anyone attempted to bring similar sized planes - how much is the extra baggage charge - I know some airlines allow you to carry skis and ski poles etc. under the category of sports equipment. Dont know if model planes qualify?
Also even if I manage to get it would they let me through customs?
The thing is that I picked it up second hand for incredibly cheap and dont want to spend a lot simply transporting it.     

Wouldn't sending as cargo (via some courier company) be actually cheaper ?

I think you will end up calling the individual airlines if you want complete confirmation.  The baggage rules seem to be uneven among major carriers, and many of them are adament about those rules.

Just getting all electronics and power plant from outside and getting the frame locally also seems like a better option.

If airlines doesn't work or costly then try sending by ship/cargo. The cost could be lesser. Seven ft. long is beyond the "box" size that is allowed from US. You will need to get the next bigger size crate. Once it lands here you will need to contact the local importing guy who will handle the parcel and then come thru the "circle of fire" .... customs. Application of grease is the only way to release any package - even old clothes sent from US!!!!

Or since its second hand get what ever you can with you personally via checked in baggage and leave the rest :-(

thanks Anwar, TG - yeah might have to send it through sea mail -alternatively sell it there for a small profit  and save my money and buy something here - when it comes along. Problem is its an Aeroworks Extra 260 -very good quality ARFs -so dont feel like parting with it. There is a third alternative which I have toying with -splitting the fuse and making it a bolt on two piece fuse - It would solve all transportation problems to the field! Here is a link to a 50% extra made by G&L hobbies, which adopts this method   
http://www.glhobbies.com/50ExtraARF/50extraarf.html

http://www.glhobbies.com/50ExtraARF/PICT0025.JPG

what do you guys think?

Good experiment to split the fuse. But you will need to "build" it back since the split fuse shown in the pictures seems to have the joints built for the purpose.

Guys, please help me out.

My uncle stays in CA, USA. He is going to visit india in the first week of Jan, 2011. I have gathered some used stuff from hobby guys in US, got them shipped to my uncles address, so I planned to ask him to bring them along with him to here when he comes, to lose a lot of shipping charges. As they are used items, collected from so many hobby guys out there, there will not be BILLs for them.

So, here is the question:
Shall the immigration guys take those stuff off to garbage can?
If yes, what is the trick to be done to prevent that?

Am a bit tensed guys, and in hurry. Please help me out if anybody is there with some known thing or experience.

Awaiting replies...//MEROG

carried my stuff in the bagage without any issues ............

Apparently the "Search" box is not being used at all

Merging into one of the existing threads. 

BTW, it is customs that would check for items, not immigration.  Unless you over-do it (lots of stuff in the same bag etc), it is not a problem :

http://www.rcindia.org/rc-general-topics/airport-customs-issues/msg36334/#msg36334

And the person carrying those items should be able to answer basic question about the items being carried. Including it's use, when purchased rough cost etc just in case the custom guys ask.   

My friend(3 people) is coming from united states, (specifically from Michigan),
i was thinking of ordering hpi on-road electric car and a futaba reciever from tower hobby and getting it shipped to his address, and then he can get it to india when he visits.

all i wanted to know was, can there be a problem if he tries to get it.
and is there any advice that anyone can give to help in clearing the customs easily


the cars/remote specifically im ordering are -
HPI Racing Sprint 2 Flux RTR w/Ford Mustang GT-R Body
HPI Racing Sprint 2 Drift RTR w/'10 Camaro Body
HPI Racing Sprint 2 Drift RTR w/Nissan 350Z Body

Futaba 3PM-X 3-Channel 2.4GHz Transmitter/Receiver


Thanks in advance

The last post merged into existing thread which discusses this in detail.

Shouldn't be a problem.If the total cost is above 25,000 rupees or something like that,he'll have to declare it to customs and pay the required duties.Ask him to be armed with bills.

A question regarding custom duties:
while importing stuffs by online order ;suppose if they calculate custom duty, is it only for the worth of the item in the invoice or they'll include the shipping cost also? Thank you.

carry things through custom seam to b no problem, i had a 500-600-700 size heli`s and 2 radios chargers and some batteries , when scanned he asked what it was in the bags, that was it

so for the cars... should i put them in the bag or should i hand carry them?
and same question for the remote

All the stuff should be in the checked in baggage.

thanks for your replies guys... really appreciate it...

Hi,

One of my friend was carrying couple of RC Airplane's from US to gift it to my daughter. The customs office at Mumbai has detained it.

Does anyone here know how i can get those stuff released.

Right now the detention slip reads that he is to take it back to the US when he leaves back in a week's time.

The RX/TX is a 4 Channel - 2.4GHz from nitroplanes.com

Any help in this regards will be highly appreciated.

Regards

Merged into existing thread...  and this is one of the rare cases of TXes being detained by airport customs

This may sound weird... but the most practical solution is that you may know someone who knows someone who knows someone !

Quotebut the most practical solution is that you may know someone who knows someone who knows someone !

+1

Thanks for merging into the existing thread. I had looked for, but didnt find a good thread to join.

Anyways,

I have someone who is going to talk to the custom authority.

But my points are :

1) Isn't 2.4GHz band free and cleared by WPC?
2) Isn't the use of Radio Controller working on 2.4GHz allowed for hobby purposes?
3) http://www.wpc.dot.gov.in/equipment_show.asp lists so many Radio Controllers matching the one they have detained inlcuding those from Futaba, Fly Sky, . So is it really necessary to get clearance for each and every manufacturer+model combination?

Or it is just the matter of putting grease in the govt. mechanism?

Regards

This has been posted here many times, but here goes once more... this is the legality when it comes to radio imports.

http://www.rcindia.org/radios-and-receivers/list-of-all-radios-with-wpc-approval-so-far/msg82538/#msg82538

http://www.rcindia.org/rc-outlets-and-resellers/strict-rules-on-parcel-importing-!!!/msg22616/#msg22616

In short, if you go by 100% legality, you should have acquired a personal import license before you imported once, and that too one with ETA.

I guess that 1978 movie starring John Travolta might be worth watching for you

Thanks for the answer anwar, but i am really bad at handling 1978 John Travolta movie :-(

So  i will have to get someone who can do it for me

Adding link to a relevant "success" story.

http://www.rcindia.org/rc-general-topics/bringing-rc-car-into-india/msg92435/#msg92435

How did you have them packed ?  Did you have any lipos ?  If yes, how many (with capacity) and how were they packed ?