RC India

Hai recently I bought a selfie drone from Aliexpress. After a month above from the purchase I received a call memo notice from customs. I am attaching it below. I don't understand that it's saying I have to include valid license for import from DGFT and prior clearance of DGCA. I bought it for 27.35$". It's also for my own use only.  Please help me I need this drone. :headscratch:

Hi Bhanuxboy,

I too faced the same issue, i guess you will have to forget this parcel, as the custom guys do not release parcels that contain these kind of stuff... :banghead:

You need clearance from DGCA and NOC from WPC. DGCA has made it strict for anyone to fly drones as per the circular issued by DGCA sometime last year or piror and had asked for suggestions from the public. Most of us on RCIndia had sent them emails but I guess I didn't help that much(or did it?). Search the forums and you will find out the whole story.

I don't know where did DGFT come in to picture (IMO they are essentially asking for IEC code), if you have imported it for yourself. Just explain them its for your personal use and try to get NOC from local police(if that works in the first place).

There are some general IEC codes which can be used against import of goods for personal use but payment must be via bank with a letter from them (not sure how it works exactly).

Check out this thread : http://www.rcindia.org/rc-outlets-and-resellers/importer-export-code-(iec)-for-import-from-aliexpress/

DGFT Notice is here
http://dgft.gov.in/Exim/2000/NOT/NOT16/Notification_No.16_(English).pdf

Does this mean if we give this DGFT Notice, the customs guys will release the pack?

Sorry to say but, No. Read that Notice once again. It clearly states that import UAVs for e.g. Quadcopters is restricted and you need Clearance from DGCA and Import License from DGFT.

Thanks

The same thing happened to me once, so I wrote them a mail along with screen shots of aliexpress purchase details I never received a reply but after a week I got the parcel.
just try convincing them that its for a college project and they might just release the parcel.
try your luck.:)

Screen shot of the email I sent.

Thank you for your advise guys. The price of the item is below 2000RS and its flight range is 50meters below. I don't understand why customs are making too much of complications.

Thank you sir, the reason I bought it is for my cousins son, he turned 12 recently.

I received mail from customs again.i am attaching the details below .

PS:according to DGCA ,if the flight range is above 200 feet it requires license ,but my drone range is 50M(164 Feet).is there any possible way to convince customs officer .

Irrespective of what DGCA says for flying (which is still not yet a rule).
You will need a DGCA licence to import it and you will also need the NOC from WPA for the controller.
So my suggestion would be to ask them to send it back to the seller and claim a refund. The customs will not release it to you.

The letter says that you need a license from the DGCA or DGFT ie : director general of foreign trade so maybe an iec code might work, why dont you contact a clearing agent and ask him if he can get the parcel released provided his fees do not exceed the product price.
Im not sure if this works but you can try.

best way is to send a email to customs, saying revert it back to the sender. 
raise a dispute on aliexpress. and take your money back from ali.

these custom people will never release your item.

it happened to me also.

hi bhanuxboy,

I have received the same kind of letter for importing a drone. I want to know did the effort done by you work in getting the drone.

Hi Srvn,

I recd 3 notice / letters from Foreign Post Customs Office to come and meet the customs person and submit the required documents.

http://www.rcindia.org/chatter-zone/help!-customs-penalty-after-not-submitting-wpc-noc!/msg276575/#msg276575

As i didn't have the requested documents I had to meet the customs person and submit a letter saying to send the parcel back to the sender.

hi freedom2fly,

I don't live in chennai to meet the customs department in person and submit a letter.
But I think i can mail them the same, I just want to know if there will be any return shipping charges and customs duty for sending the product back to the seller.

Srvn,

As far as my experience and chat with the guys, to discard they said it will be chargeable, and to return to sender they said nothing... and I didnt pay anything as of now. You cant predict these institutions when they will popup to send another notice saying to pay the charges... But as per my chat with a guy there he said if yr drone is costing 50,000/- then the penalty charge is Rs. 500/-. and the product that I had ordered was just 1000/- buck and I told them that and that guy smiled and said that can be a fake billing, so I told him I have brought the invoice bill for which I did the online payment and he said nothing. But as these people are sending registered letters from whom would they claim the postal charges is the question?

You just write a letter back saying to send back to sender, is my opinion.

They will not release any parcel which contains DRONE (what they call it)
Probability of getting sized is more when it is written on parcel
The only hope is so e agent or known in customs.

My friend ordered a toy quad from eBay costing 2K
With other electronics stuff like pi3 and other development board to total costing 15K
The only problem was eBay guy wrote drone on the invoice
So that's it parcel got stuck at Jaipur custom (where I live)
They need DGCA NOC which is next to impossible
Now they sized the parcel saying "it doesn't matter what stuff you have in this parcel other than drone, we can't release it"
So they will not send it back either.

Maybe after 9-10 yrs we can get it back in auction.

hi did u received the drone

Hi sabarish

No

then wht is your next step

Absolutely no idea.

Just let it go..😐

did u complain to the shipper

They said they would refund if i could send it back to the seller.

then what the custom people said

I nvr contcted them

ok how much your drone costs

2200

oo mine to same a small mini drone i dont know y they are doing so

When did you purchase and did you receive any memo

i buy it on Date: Aug 09 2017,but till now i dont received any memo.u called the chennai customs they told to call after geting that letter :headscratch:

U called them?

ya i called them they told to wait for the letter

Okay if you are going to take any step there after receiving the memo jus lemme knoe

Ok dude

hi friends i got a refund
Dear sabarish,

 

We are sorry to cause you the inconvenience.

 

For the order 32930684,we have arranged to refund US$26.67
to your account.

 

You can check it in 48-72 hours if you paid with PayPal or in 7-14 days if you paid with a credit or debit card.

 

And if you received the original missing parcel in the future would you mind repaying us or rejecting it?



Best wishes.



Katie

hi friends i received a show cause notice do anyone received the same if yes then tell me what to do

I have ordered a quadcopter for 2000/- first i have received the call memo notice i have given a replay for return back & and after 6 months I received a letter of notice of show cause notice. Please help me what to do. SHOW CAUSE NOTICE
contact details 7010395471
chennai

Hello I have received the same notice from Chennai customs.. show cause notice for buying a drone
kindly contact me 7010395471

what replay have you given to them?

i to dont know what to do bro that is why i am asking here

can you please share your number or contact me so that we can discuss the things n go ahead with that

so can meet personally n have a check with custom

i am going to meet custom department personally, that is the best option, forgot parcel n quadcorpotr just get ride from the issue that it, talk with them n tell them to return the product n solve it, i have check some legal team they said if we dont meet personally it will future issue for us

ple share your review or contact me personally show that we can share
mobile no : 7010395471

2 days back i sent a letter to them bro so waiting for the reply

What did you mention in that letter ?
I mean it is for personal use or you don't want to clear the product from custome bro
Kindly share your number so we can discuss it

my advocate send it

Can I get the details so it will be very helpful bro

If there is any charges I will pay for it , how to get ride of this issue

i this wrote to them that is a toy drone and its for my brother nothing much

I HAVE WENT TO CUSTOME CHENNAI DEPARTMENT N CLEAR MY ISSUE I HAVE ALSO SEEN YOUR CASE FILE LYING ON THIER DESK, I HAVE GOT ORDER COPY FROM THEM !!

ok bro what process to follow.i sent a letter to them but i wont got any reply from them.is anything series

recently i received this from customs office...what should i do now?

my parcel status are

Date   Time   Country   Location   Event Type   Mail Category   Next Office   Extra Information
13/06/2018   14:35:10   India   MUMBAI AIR   Transfer from office of exchange (Inb)   Air   JAIPUR SUB FGN POST   
13/06/2018   10:51:32   India   MUMBAI AIR   Receive item at office of exchange (Inb)   Air   MUMBAI AIRPORT SORTING OFFICE   
12/06/2018   11:10:00   Singapore   SINGAPORE S05   Send item abroad (EDI-received)   Air   MUMBAI AIRPORT SORTING OFFICE   
12/06/2018   03:20:00   Singapore   SINGAPORE S05   Insert item into bag (Otb)   Air   MUMBAI AIRPORT SORTING OFFICE   

 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