How to get drones cleared from Customs

Khushahal · January 30, 2018, 09:03:25 AM

Quote from: markstephen83 on January 27, 2018, 08:38:21 PM
Friend I am faced with a similar situation where I ordered a Rc Drone (Visuo xs809hw) from Banggood and was waiting for it to be delivered! But then after 3 weeks I get a letter from the Customs saying that my parcel will be confiscated as Importing RC Quadcopters is illegal in India! I stay at Bangalore and I visited the GPO office from the same address I got the letter from... I spoke to the Superintendent of customs who was in charge of all these things but he never agreed to release my parcel even though I explained to him that my drone comes under micro/nano category where it weighs less than 1kg, Flight radius less than 200mts,Altitude less than 50ft, flight time less than 10mins, 2.4GHz signal frequency, etc hence this comes in the Toy category and not the actual big drone! He said the Director of Commerce has not specified what type of drones can be released and what should be confiscated! They have told us to confiscate any Unmanned Ariel Vehicles, Helicopters, Quadcopters, etc. So he said there are soo many of them lying here we can't release it or put it for auction. Later he asked me to write a letter explaining what I told and he said that he will issue a cause notice. I had to write a letter and give it to him and leave. I am not able to get a refund from Banggood as they said that I have to send back the parcel to the sender and send them the tracking number to receive the refund. But the customs people are not allowing me to resend it back to the seller. I require to get the approval from DGCA, DGFT and WPC in order to get it released they said. I don't know where can I get these or to whom should I explain that this is just a toy and it comes below the micro category. Kindly help me with this please...

Its a common problem everywhere. The folks in customs are dumb as hell. They'll confiscate everything which has drone written on it. In your case the problem is they are not listening to you. But rather than convincing them just prepare a case file stating all of the things you have mentioned. Best is to defend on the point that how you dont need the DGFT, DGCA and WPC licence. Ask them for an appointment with the Deputy commissioner of customs and present your case in front of him. If the commissioner is convinced, theyll release your parcel. And as a caution never order a fully assembled drone through customs. Always order separate parts and assemble.

KPPK143 · June 20, 2018, 07:43:48 AM

I tried to search my drone model in WPC site but it shows like this in image attached below. what I have to do....

Khushahal · June 20, 2018, 09:35:45 AM

WPC is for approval of Tx and Rx and not the drone. WPC regulates which Tx and Rx can be used in india..If youre purchasing a Tx and Rx then only WPC approval is needed. If you have purchased some drone in which the TX and Rx comes together with it then youre in hard luck as those products are hardly approved by WPC.

taksh · June 20, 2018, 09:38:16 AM

@Khushahal
Kolkata customs or any other?

According to you, you visited the customs office and take an appointment to meet customs commissioner. It is impossible for many people to visit custom office. I am living near delhi. Please tell me in more details.
I am waiting for your reply.
Thanks.

KPPK143 · June 20, 2018, 01:44:05 PM

Is WPC approval necessary for WiFi drone camera

What are the documents I ve to submit for WiFi drone camera controlled using mobile as well as Remote..

Khushahal · June 20, 2018, 10:29:10 PM

Quote from: taksh on June 20, 2018, 09:38:16 AM
@Khushahal
Kolkata customs or any other?

According to you, you visited the customs office and take an appointment to meet customs commissioner. It is impossible for many people to visit custom office. I am living near delhi. Please tell me in more details.
I am waiting for your reply.
Thanks.

It was fortunate for me that my parcel got stuck in Mumbai customs...If you cant go to the customs office then you can ask anyone else to go on your behalf. You will have to give an undertaking in that case

Khushahal · June 20, 2018, 10:34:22 PM

Quote from: KPPK143 on June 20, 2018, 01:44:05 PM
Is WPC approval necessary for WiFi drone camera
What are the documents I ve to submit for WiFi drone camera controlled using mobile as well as Remote..

WPC is only required for TX?Rx and not for camera or any other thing. Since wi-fi is a common technology it is not a problem. The real problem would be the size of your drone. Since new DGCA guidelines only allow smaller drones( I dont know the weight limit of drone, but please check) if your drone is bigger, it would be more likely to get stuck in customs, if they decide to go through it. It can also happens that your parcel wont ggo through scrutiny of customs but the probability of it is less. Still keep faith.

KPPK143 · June 24, 2018, 12:13:58 AM

Can you provide the EMAIL ID of chennai customs..

?

meard02 · July 30, 2018, 01:05:13 PM

Hello Khushahal,

Can you detail on the process of how did you receive the DGCA NOC?

Thank You and Best Regards
Mahadev H

Khushahal · July 30, 2018, 04:20:59 PM

Quote from: meard02 on July 30, 2018, 01:05:13 PM
Hello Khushahal,

Can you detail on the process of how did you receive the DGCA NOC?

Thank You and Best Regards
Mahadev H

Any rc model flying below 200 ft and having small range doesnt need a certificate. Thats why the nano drones are permitted through customs. In my case, I had explained them this issue which was stated in the DGCA draft. Also If youre part of an educational institution then also it is allowed. You should search for the DGCA draft for RC models.

Atharva1912 · August 09, 2018, 09:22:04 PM

Hi guys,
Can anyone help me in getting a 4s lipo battery?
I need it for my QAV-250...

vancray · April 20, 2019, 12:43:06 PM

I know this is an old Post but what if it's for re export when someone goes out of India, do we have a right to have the drone cleared on customs for re export?

arpan · November 24, 2019, 02:21:49 PM

Thank you very good and informative post. The same thing happens to me. The drone from Aliexpress got stuck in the custom office and they send one document asking those documents.

It will be really helpful for me if you tell me that, from where you got those documents.

Thank You

February 11, 2020, 02:25:20 PM

Sir,

I have received the same notice. Please share the reply letter which was submitted to the customs officer while personal hearing.

How to get drones cleared from Customs

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