After receiving  membership welcome kit (Tower Talk/Catalog) in flat 5 days by USPS, I have been eagerly waiting for the for my Futaba T7C/ESC/and the 4ch 2.4G Nano Rx.

Finally USPS tracking status changed from "Arrived --> international Dispatch" to "    Out of Foreign Customs, India". I have attached the summery.  Since many people might have gone thru the drill, sharing the experience would help calm my anxiety.

Since it reads "Your item cleared customs in INDIA at 1:05 PM on October 27, 2009." does it really means that  I am spared from running to customs and the package would be delivered soon, and (may be, just may be) I am also saved from paying duties.

Hearing that customs sending payment reminder for package cleared/delivered  6 months back horrifies me.

Seniors, please tell if the things are good for me!! I am holding my other orders of LiPo/Esc/Motors before I get some experience from my 1st Order.

Thanks in Adv.

Ujjwal

Your goods has arrived india has been forwarded from the port of arrival to the nearest foreign post office. Once the goods reach here then the customs at the destination foreign post office will bond the goods.

Regarding duty you will need to pay it by cash to the post office under which your area comes.

Thanks RCKatty!
So should I check the local post office or directly go to the Foreign post office ?
Should I wait for a note/message from them or go there directly since its already 3 days.
Apart form 'cash' what else I need to carry ? ID Proof/Credit Card Statement / Online Invoice from Towers ?

Quote from: ujjwaana on October 30, 2009, 01:58:38 PM
Thanks RCKatty!
So should I check the local post office or directly go to the Foreign post office ?
Should I wait for a note/message from them or go there directly since its already 3 days.
Apart form 'cash' what else I need to carry ? ID Proof/Credit Card Statement / Online Invoice from Towers ?

I think you are lucky, and your radio came through OK. Whatever duty you need to pay is OK , but at least you got it through.

Does USPS translate to EMS Speedpost in India ?

Ujjwanna you need to wait for for a few days to receive the call memo from the customs.
If you don't get any letter or your parcel after another week. Then you can go to the FPO and enquire.

Gauravag
USPS translates to UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE. They have different services like ground, air, air express etc i think the express service of theirs translate to EMS Speed Post.

UPS is United Parcel Service which is the courier mode.

It seems as if your parcel cleared customs without any duty imposed.Depending on the size of your parcel you will either be informed by your postman that a parcel has arrived and gives you a notice and you will have to go to your local post office and collect the parcel. If the parcel is of small size then the postman would deliver it at your doorstep. If any customs duty is imposed then your local post office would inform the same.Then you will have to visit your local post office and pay the duty and collect your parcel.

Thanks Mr. Rao for looking at my post.
Sadly my package was just cleared at the incoming Customs (Blr/Mum Airport). I went to the Bangalore FPO at museum road on Saturday and indeed found that my package has just reached and would be opened for inspection by the evening.

I got the internal (Blr PAD) memo no of my package and when I approached the Superintendent, I was hurled with tons of questions. He indeed frowned at me when I told it contains Radio controller for (Hobby) RC Flying. I explained him that my radio is a proper 'branded' FCC/CE approved radio from one of the most used and certified manufacturer called Futaba. I also explained that it operated on one of the de-listed frequency by WPC, the 2.4 GHz brand which is allowed by civilian use  (Wifi Radio) unto 5 Watts of output (my radio, less than 1/4 watt).

He suggested me that since the value is high (INR 15K), it would any way go to his senior (Asst. Commissioner) for inspection so I better be prepared with my documents:

1. Bill/invoice
2. Write up on what this radio would be used for and where it would be used
3. Any supporting document for Frequency de-listing

and come on Tuesday (Mon is holiday)

Seniors,
Please suggest if above documents is enough ? What should I highlight in  the writeup? Would emphasis that it is an activity even offered by NCC's Air wing and that there are several registered RC airfields like ones in Chennai ?

Where I could get the WPC charter on de listing of 2.4Ghz.

I think its better we register some presence at the FPO and familiarize the FPO official with the legitimacy of the hobby. Notwithstanding that we should support local retailers, the hassle free import path should be open to us. This is  more necessary for the option/choice factor, where the exact required equipment is not available locally.

I would be anyway contact higher officials in the department whose reference I got, who may help me getting the package thru.

Looking forward for more guidance form the forum seniors

-Ujjwal

http://www.wpc.dot.gov.in/Static/Gazette%20(%202.4%20GHz)_Outdoor.doc

You may look around the WPC site for more.  This page is pretty interesting...  http://www.wpc.dot.gov.in/faq.asp

I am still amazed!  Acording to the link below, do we really need a license for owning / operating Radio Remote Control for models ?

http://www.wpc.dot.gov.in/faq.asp

Scroll down to the heading:
"Do the regional offices issue all categories of License?"

Item :
5)     Remote Control of Models.

I never heard some one discussing this fiasco !!


-Ujjwal

It is well understood that 27Mhz is specifically approved for this use and 2.4Ghz is delicensed.  But any transmitter needs to be WPC type approved.

What you are mentioning might be a reference to the type approval required for particular brands/models of radios.

In short, do a RC flier needs a license of any type if want to own/use a 27MHz / 2.4 GHz system ? How are people using Futaba/Airtronics/Jr/Spektrum/Hitech and other Radios in India? is there such pre-approved listing of Radios by WPC ?

Any body, submitted such supporting docs before to customs, please help.

-Ujjwal

The individual does not need a license to "operate" in those two bands.  But the radio used should be type approved by WPC, based on an application submitted by someone (does not have to the user in question).  I guess the commercial importers of the various brands are the ones who should be getting type approvals.  Once a particular model from a particular brand is type approved, all such models are type approved (is my understanding). 

So far, I have been unable to get any list of type approved transmitters in ANY band (27Mhz or 2.4Ghz).  I would expect radios imported by the local dealer of any radio brand to get type approval for their models before import, but such information seems to be barely discussed.

For you situation, it would make sense to take the document that confirms the delicensing, and leave it at that.

PS: I hope you have seen out other threads on this topic, like this one : http://www.rcindia.org/radios-and-receivers/extract-of-a-govt-notification/

Quote from: ujjwaana on November 02, 2009, 05:16:34 PM
Item :
5)     Remote Control of Models.

I never heard some one discussing this fiasco !!


-Ujjwal

Ujjwal you seem to think you know alot, pls go through the forum and you will know that this has been discussed. Regarding you importing the 2.4ghz set and also your comments on other forums seems that you read less. For your own good like adviced by other pls do not try to inform the govt. guys too much, just tell them its for hobby use like the toy remotes otherwise your item will be seized.

Regarding licence for remote control of models is basically for 27mhz on the allowed frequency as this was not de- listed. Also note that it is for your own good that you speak less or try to find how others are using sets in india.

Quote from: anwar on November 02, 2009, 07:30:18 PM
But the radio used should be type approved by WPC, based on an application submitted by someone (does not have to the user in question).  I guess the commercial importers of the various brands are the ones who should be getting type approvals.  Once a particular model from a particular brand is type approved, all such models are type approved (is my understanding). 

Anwar as far as my knowledge goes the type approval will be given to the importer who is authorised by the manufacturer for the particular model. And until we guys do not buy from locally none will be approved as it will not be viable for them.

Also type approval will be applicable only if the user or buyer has a bill from the local hobby shop as and when it is type approved. Sets bought from abroad will vary in terms of wattage transmission, features etc., therefore the difference. If you see sets in Germany the tansmission levels required as per german law is lower. Will post relevant data soon.

Just my 2 cents

Quote from: rckatty on November 02, 2009, 09:28:59 PM
Regarding licence for remote control of models is basically for 27mhz on the allowed frequency as this was not de- listed. Also note that it is for your own good that you speak less or try to find how others are using sets in india.

Thanks for clarifying that.  27Mhz equipment is practically non-existent in terms of commercial availability, it is tough to get any information on those.

Quote from: rckatty on November 02, 2009, 09:28:59 PM
Anwar as far as my knowledge goes the type approval will be given to the importer who is authorised by the manufacturer for the particular model. And until we guys do not buy from locally none will be approved as it will not be viable for them.

That seems like a chicken and egg problem.  If what is being sold NOW is not type approved at all, what is the incentive in buying locally ? Also, it seems like nobody is even trying to get the approvals, even when they are stocking particular brands alone.

Quote from: rckatty on November 02, 2009, 09:28:59 PM
Also type approval will be applicable only if the user or buyer has a bill from the local hobby shop as and when it is type approved. Sets bought from abroad will vary in terms of wattage transmission, features etc., therefore the difference. If you see sets in Germany the tansmission levels required as per german law is lower. Will post relevant data soon.

Of course any difference (power, spectrum used etc) will require a fresh WPC approval, that is obvious.  As long as the radios are absolutely similar (a receipt from the same store is a good way of proving that), one approval should carry on to other sets.

People are already getting the some approvals i heard. Till we don't support the local hobby shops to a certain extent, like how you have done by helping the hobby i heard this from some store owners, till then we can't get then to do much more. I think the prices today are nearly the same on many products to singapore/us/hk/uk etc., yes i have also told some owners that we would love to see prices go down even further they tell that they can't evade duty like alot of us do at times. I have now paid the price once.

When we say 15k for a 7C + 4K (25% duty) + others say 2k. It is equal to 21k. Which i know that the futaba 7c is available in india at the same price.

Great to hear that the shops are beginning to get various brands type approved 

Unless one gets one of those $100 off $400 type of coupons from Tower, the prices are not that much different for the top brands (taking into account the customs duty, the wait, and the hassle). 

I just heard that one of the long term fliers who shuttles between Kerala and Qatar had some of this RC equipment seized by customs (after passing many many times hassle free for the past many years).  Not sure if this was a temporary hold-up for lack of documentation etc, and I am not sure what type of equipment was seized (he does tend to carry LOTs of RC stuff, including 90 size helis etc).  But it is a sign of the times, and one more reason to buy locally.  Sad to see this happen after just advising someone that it is OK to carry RC stuff when you coming back from a foreign trip ! 

Thanks alot Anwar Bhai, Mr RCKatty and Rao Garu for all your advices and encouragements.

I wished that this thread have lead  into more meaningful way, may be a cookbook for future rookies to get into the hobby, but at the end, I feel more at bay myself.

Rckatty, with all due respect for the old monks of hobby here, I am not going to spill the bean and cast trouble to people already flying in peace. With much talked and hinted,  I am planning to take altogether a different path. Trying resurrected this unfulfilled hobby of my childhood (early 90's), I was mislead to think that the conditions have become aptly favorable for this hobby in these 15+ years.

Coming back to my endeavor of ordering stuff directly from Tower, its was a mix of local supplier 'pushing' a particular brand, not giving a clear date of stock replenishment, and Towers giving this alluring 25+% discount that I took the plunge. Few good ending stories also encouraged me.

I can only pray that things get smoother and welcoming for upcoming entrants to the hobby, with them not causing any serious 'congestion' with their 2.4GHz system.

On the closing note, its better to keep one's hobbies separate from profession, just like keeping Monk away from Ministry, to keep the 'society' clean.

Well, signing off with the hope that things goes fine with me, else I would like to go completely silent on this band, and better pursue more accessible hobbies of mine. If I bounce back, I would gladly like to volunteer to make this hobby correctly recognized under the 'Raj'.

Thanks for everything folks,
Ujjwal

Ujwaana,
you made things unnecessarily complicated by visiting the FPO, in your over anxiety even before receiving a notice from the FPO. If you had waited for a few days I am sure you would have received your parcel with or without customs duty imposed and delivered by your local post office. Even in case of the parcel getting detained at customs ( the most common reason is missing invoice ) you would be notified by FPO about it and ask you to produce the invoice so that your parcel can be processed and released for delivery. Also there is no need to give technical info such as delicenced  frequency bands and such.Unless specifically asked there is no sense in making the customs people aware of frequency band restrictions, output power of the radio signal etc. Just describe the radio as remote controller for toy planes.
I will tell what I would do if I was in your place. Since you visited your FPO even before receiving a notice from them I would wait for a few days even now and see what happens. Your parcel may pass customs with/without customs duty and be delivered to you. If no duty is levied your local post office would deliver the parcel.If customs duty is imposed you will be notified by local post office about it and once the duty is paid you will get your parcel. You need not to visit the FPO.
If your parcel gets detained at the FPO you would receive a notice usually requesting to produce a proof of purchase like an invoice etc to inspect the contents of the parcel.Even now you can try one last thing. Send a letter,by post, addressed to the Asst Commissioner of Foreign Postal Customs Office along with a copy of your invoice , describing the items you had imported are for your Hobby and for personal and non commercial use and requesting him to release your detained parcel.And wait and see if your parcel is delivered.
If every thing else fails ,then visit the FPO in person along with an invoice of your goods and pray.
Please do post here your experience at the FPO.

Ujjwal

Where on earth does tower give 25% + discount on a 350 dollar billing. If i am correct they are give the so called discount slab wise, and you have mentioned 15K. This is how people are misled and like you said you too were misled thinking that imports etc are very easy now.

Anyway hope for the best.

Katty -

Many people I know (me included!) routinely receive offers from Tower with the heading "Special savings for international customers", with discounts listed below.

If Your Order Totals:	YOU SAVE
$100.00 - $149.99	$20.00
$200.00 - $249.99	$45.00
$300.00 - $399.99	$75.00
$400.00 - $499.99	$100.00
$500.00 - $599.99	$125.00
$600.00 - $699.99	$150.00
$700.00 - $799.99	$175.00
$800.00 - $899.99	$200.00
$900.00 - $999.99	$225.00
$1000.00 or more	$250.000

If you buy for $300, you get $75 off which makes 25% discounts pretty common with Tower.  In fact, that has enticed many people to spend more than what they were originally intending, and get more complicated stuff than they really need (ask me how I know  )

These coupon codes work from only the email that they are sent to.  If you keep ordering regularly, Tower always sends this to International customers. I got my 10C using the 25% offer here, and then recently several engines etc using these .. I have always used discount codes when orderring with tower. and have got up 35% ( last year ) . discounts . My usual order is $200-500

100% correct Mr Anwar and Gaurav! I got another set of fresh coupons yesterday, with same amount of discount! Hadn't been this fiasco, I would have temped to use it and blow a significant part of my salary on motors/battery/chargers!!

Whatever, the range of option offered by Towers/HobbyKing is quite alluring for any hobbyist!!

-Ujjwal

Quote from: ujjwaana on November 03, 2009, 12:17:11 PM
100% correct Mr Anwar and Gaurav! I got another set of fresh coupons yesterday, with same amount of discount! Hadn't been this fiasco, I would have temped to use it and blow a significant part of my salary on motors/battery/chargers!!

Whatever, the range of option offered by Towers/HobbyKing is quite alluring for any hobbyist!!

-Ujjwal

Agree. I have an ARF on the way from Tower. Keeping my fingers crossed on it. I chose UPS, and it seems to have landed in India  this morning, and the UPS status says " Import Scan " .
Wow. at this point i cannot do anything other than hope, pray, keep my fingers crossed etc etc.

Agree to the face that Tower/HobbyKing is alluring, but in the end i think the costs with local retailers end up to be the same. I mean if you get one shipment seized and lost, and then 3 others come through, the price comes to be the same, as what the LHS offers.

I usually first look at all available options from local retailers, and even if the prices are 10% more than w hat i get online, i prefer them. But for those items which are "just" not availlable, the online stores are the only way.

-Gaurav

Hi Guys,

I got my RDS8000 with 2 recievers, Charger, Servos, + shoes etc etc on this Sunday all worth 25k through my brother. Luckily my brother checked out last at the airport and no one even bothered to Check his suitcase.

I believe it should be my lucky day. Will post the pics once I get time. Waiting for my HK Parcel with my fingers crossed.

I myself and Ujjval met at jakkur and we planned to start this hobby together. Hope all well goes for him.

~Vinay.

Quote from: gauravag on November 03, 2009, 12:45:38 PM
I usually first look at all available options from local retailers, and even if the prices are 10% more than w hat i get online, i prefer them. But for those items which are "just" not available, the online stores are the only way.

-Gaurav

Thats the whole point I was trying to make. I was tired to find the radios I was struck with (personal preference, features, look and feel, popularity, just like I am a Canon'ian and have all due respect for Nikon'ian and all other dSLR system owner)  Spektrum DX7 and finally Futaba T7C. Unfortunately I was not able to locate any dealer providing me with definite time frame. I went to Towers only after considering 15+ days is better than uncertainty.

A decent EP Trainer is next on my list, only if things go fine for me. My new friend Vinay told me that he knows some local supplier who can get a Thunder Tiger EPP EP Trainer . Now I am not against getting things from the local store as long as I can get it deterministically. Who won't be happy with a full fledged Hobby shop like Hobby Tron / Hobby City/Towers opening in their own town, which apart from other things, respects individual preference and give options, instead of pushing own product.

Hope to join the folks who really fly and not remain just another non flying person on the forum.

-Ujjwal