guys help me , i got a show cause notice from customs for importing drone from Rcmoment webiste . i have ordered this in feb 2018 and customs retained the parcel then i sent a mail to customs office stating missing parcel they replied drones prohibited .after came to know this thing i requested the paypal to return my money of Rs 3500 . they returned money in june 5th . now 3 days ago i got a show cause notice from customs and i dint understand .after lefting this topic from my mind they digging. now i need to answer to them by letter if failed in person. tell me how to get rid of these am living in andhra pradesh even i cant bare the travelling charges for chennai to attent infront of customs.

Reply: First time you imported drone. Did not kno consequences. Wont be able to provide the WPC, ETA licenses. Drone may be returned back to sender.

Held by Customs at Destination
Sep 18, 2018 2:58 PM
India Post
Send item to customs (Inb)
CHENNAI (MADARS) AIR, India
Sep 19, 2018 12:00 AM
Singapore Post
Held by Custom
Sep 19, 2018 4:21 PM
India Post
Record item customs information (Inb). Retention reason : Retained by customs for unspecified reason
CHENNAI (MADARS) AIR, India

Anybody can help regarding this ?

Send them a written clarification that you intended to import the drone for personal use and not to be flown in areas here prohibited. Try and clarify that it was supposed to be used for entertainment purpose and nothing else. Try to be very polite in the letter and make sure you make them understand it's just a simple toy and can't carry any kind of load other than the drone itself. It's better if you appear in front of them and explain instead of a letter.

It happened to me and I faced the customs officer, I even argued with him that drones were sold openly in the market so why am I being questioned. On which he said, I know they are being sold in the market, but they are not allowed to be ordered and imported. Though just a few days ago I received another drone which I ordered online. But that's just luck. This was not in India though.

Best of Luck.

Hi Friends,
I ordered a nano drone (no camera, toy drone) on Jan 2019 from aliexpress.
Now currently this package got stuck in customs.

Can anyone help me to clear customs.
As per my knowledge from 1st December 2018, We can import nano drone without DGCA approval and DGFT license.

I ordered this for my child, but while ordering I was not aware about this import issue. But later I checked internet that toy (nano) drones are allowed to be imported.

Quote from: VASANTH K on February 14, 2019, 02:35:05 PM
Hi Friends,
I ordered a nano drone (no camera, toy drone) on Jan 2019 from aliexpress.
Now currently this package got stuck in customs.

Can anyone help me to clear customs.
As per my knowledge from 1st December 2018, We can import nano drone without DGCA approval and DGFT license.

I ordered this for my child, but while ordering I was not aware about this import issue. But later I checked internet that toy (nano) drones are allowed to be imported.

DCGA has permitted to fly after getting UIN but not permitted import.
All RC toys/drone/Lipo/walkie Talkie like items are banned in India.
If custom officer is a good person them he will charge less penalty and give you option to RTO .

Thank you for the reply

Quote from: Shaqib19 on February 14, 2019, 04:17:18 PM

Quote from: VASANTH K on February 14, 2019, 02:35:05 PM
Hi Friends,
I ordered a nano drone (no camera, toy drone) on Jan 2019 from aliexpress.
Now currently this package got stuck in customs.

Can anyone help me to clear customs.
As per my knowledge from 1st December 2018, We can import nano drone without DGCA approval and DGFT license.

I ordered this for my child, but while ordering I was not aware about this import issue. But later I checked internet that toy (nano) drones are allowed to be imported.

DCGA has permitted to fly after getting UIN but not permitted import.
All RC toys/drone/Lipo/walkie Talkie like items are banned in India.
If custom officer is a good person them he will charge less penalty and give you option to RTO .

thank you for the clarification.

What is RTO?

Quote from: VASANTH K on February 14, 2019, 06:02:00 PM
Thank you for the reply

Quote from: Shaqib19 on February 14, 2019, 04:17:18 PM

Quote from: VASANTH K on February 14, 2019, 02:35:05 PM
Hi Friends,
I ordered a nano drone (no camera, toy drone) on Jan 2019 from aliexpress.
Now currently this package got stuck in customs.

Can anyone help me to clear customs.
As per my knowledge from 1st December 2018, We can import nano drone without DGCA approval and DGFT license.

I ordered this for my child, but while ordering I was not aware about this import issue. But later I checked internet that toy (nano) drones are allowed to be imported.

DCGA has permitted to fly after getting UIN but not permitted import.
All RC toys/drone/Lipo/walkie Talkie like items are banned in India.
If custom officer is a good person them he will charge less penalty and give you option to RTO .

thank you for the clarification.

What is RTO?

Return to Origin . This will help you to get the refund.
The order will be shipped back to seller on same tracking number.
Contact customs dept on phone and ask why your parcel is stopped and provide details they want.

Thank you Shaqib19

In India these nano drones costs more   

It will be big disappointment for my child.

Is this possible if it's a gift.

Hi HariPrasad, I want to contact you in urgent regarding the above information So please mail me to or provide your email id. I will contact you.Please give email id or send email to the .
Thanks for your understanding....

I am facing the same issue like yours and in need of your help get this issue sorted. Thanks in advance

I have ordered a toy drone to gift my relatives kid last year January and it was confiscated at Chennai Customs. Besides, I received a show cause notice after some months to submit license and documents which I don't have. Clearly I prepared a response letter and posted it to AIRPORT customs but never received any response from their end. Recently, I received a letter to appear in front of Customs officer with licenses and I don't have any documents. Also, I live outside India and could any advise me on this please.

I tried to ring them via the number mentioned on the letter but an officer lifted up my call and insisted me to send a DD of 5000 to postal appraising department. What should I do now ? Could any of you help me out with this please ? Thanks in advance.

If you got refunds already then you won't need to attend any customs and if they are Contacting you please let them know that you no longer needed Your product. or you have canceled the product from the website you have ordered, they will send you many emails or letters about your products just reply as same I said

 have sent many letters explaining everything to them that I bought it for entertainment purpose but I got response to my email posted below. Please give a read once and advise whether to take action or just ignore it. If I ignore what would be the future consequences ?


Please refer to the DGCA RPAS Guidance Manual for Import of Drones. Which also says that
1.  The importer or seller or Manufacturer of RPAs should obtain Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from WPC Wing.
2.  The applicant (other than Nano category should apply to DGCA for clearance through Digital Sky Platform.
3.  For all Categories of drones the importer should approach DGFT for import licence.
( Refer the DGCA RPAS Guidance manual - Page Number 6, Point No.2 (d). For Imported RPA)

CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENTS SECTION 3 – AIR TRANSPORT SERIES X PART I
ISSUE I, DATED 27 AUGUST, 2018
EFFECTIVE: 01st DECEMBER, 2018
F. No. 05-13/2014-AED Vol. IV

Subject: Requirements for Operation of Civil Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS)
5.1 For RPA imported to India:
a) Any entity intending to import RPAS in India shall obtain Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from WPC Wing, Department of Telecommunication for operating in de-licensed frequency band(s). Such approval shall be valid for a particular make and model.
b) The applicant, other than Nano category, shall apply to DGCA for import clearance as per format given in Annexure-IA. Based upon the import clearance issued by DGCA, DGFT shall issue license for import of RPAS.
c) Upon receipt of import license, the applicant shall apply to DGCA for UIN/ UOAP, as applicable.

Import of Drone is restricted and the importer should submit the clearance from DGCA and produce the Import licence from DGFT.
If the required documents are not produced the item will not be delivered to the recipient and at the same time the item will be confiscated by customs.
After confiscation you will be served a Show Cause Notice followed by Personal Hearing letter asking you to appear in person before the competent authority. And after that finally you will be served an order asking you to pay the penalty of Rs.5000/- for having imported the restricted item.

You may send the Demand Draft drawn in favour of :

Commissioner of Customs - Air, Chennai,

Payable at Chennai




Readers, please share your views and advise what should I do on this .TIA

I am pretty much in the same situation, i just got a letter today form 'Custom Officer'. Not sure what i am suppose to do. Did you try reach to anybody in customs office?

I tried and got a connection and the guy was very much into making me pay the penalty.

If he is asking for penalty and still let you have the drone, then go for it. Normally customs never release drone once caught. Bargain and come to a deal and take it.

I got a chance to speak with customs officer and he's keen getting 5000 as penalty for illegal import. I have ignored the personal hearing and received a letter again saying I failed to appear in-front of customs officer and to pay Rs.5000 penalty.

What will be consequences if I ignore the letter again ?

Earlier it was just Rs 500 as I paid it 2 years ago but now Rs 5000 looks like an extortion.
Who know if you don't pay now then next time they will send 10000 amount or more.