Almost everyone who is into photography or cinematography has a drone now, and everyone has got it from some or other grey importer. So, thats fine.

I just wanted to know how do you normally go out of India and then come back to india, with your drone safely without getting harassed by the the custom boring guys ?

For example, I got a DJI Phantom 4 from a mumbai seller few months back.
Lets say im flying to USA from Mumbai tomorrow.

Can I simply reach the airport customs and declare my items , like my camera, drone, batteries, everything ?
Or will they start asking me, how did I manage to own a drone in india ?


I want to do this declaration thing, so that when I return to India, they cannot dare to stop me with the drone.

Drones are banned in India till further notice.
If you traveling with a drone and you declare it at the airport, most likely it will be confiscated. If you bring it through Green channel and the customs find it during scanning, they will impose a fine and again followed by confiscation.

I have personally seen Notices of drones being under restricted items at Mumbai international Terminal.

Getting a drone specially phantoms and inspires have become almost impossible now a days. Almost all custom officers do recognize phantoms and inspires.

You can be lucky if they just overlook your baggage...

I would suggest to stay away from getting into any trouble.

Not spreading any negativity... but this is a reality..

Im keeping the phantom at home. One of my Mavic Pro has been confiscated already, Im going to hongkong again this week to buy it again.

The bug in me, wont let me stop, until I get it, al though its wasting a lot of money

Looks like they wont a mavic, if I keep in my Camera backpack and simply tell it as camera.

Mavics are new and due to its foldable design, you may be able to dodge customs. Remove the props if possible and anyway it's radio doesn't look like anything more than a PlayStation controller...

yes buddy..
I will keep the remote in check in baggage and put the mavic on the cabin baggage.

And will remove the props.

Hi,  did it work for you to bring in the mavic?

yes successfully in and its amazing.

Great! Good for you buddy.  Will follow your moves and  keep the remote in check in baggage and put the mavic in  the cabin baggage. will alsk remove the props.
Anything else you would suggest doing to see it through?

Thanks.

Axe, join here for discussion,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/IndiaDJIGroup/

I will post my detailed blog tonight in the FB group

OK,  thanks!

Hi,  seems I need an FB account to check,  which I don't have.

A friend is coming through Mumbai this week with the mavic but he isn't carrying his DSLR with which he can mix it.  And he said both hand carry as well as checked baggage are being scanned. Is too risky?  Can't afford to have it confiscated.  Pl advise.

Mumbai yes risky.
But its totally worth the risk.