Hello all,
I had ordered some parts for my project from HobbyKing.com. The parcel arrived in Delhi on 4 May 2010. It was pending in customs from about a month. So i decided to enquire about the parcel. I went to the customs office. I came to know that customs are not releasing any parcels which have HOBBY PARTS written on them. This is because of the ruling from the govt. after they had caught some helis in Mumbai with cameras with very high range.

So this is the reason if you are facing delays in recieving parcels from HobbyKing.com.

The Assistant Comissioner is releasing random parcels of Hobbiest from Delhi. You might be the lucky one, but this happens very rarely..

My advise is that you do not declare "Hobby Parts" on your parcel, declare something as "Misc. Parts" or "Replacement Parts".

They also told me that they have detained A parcel from Honk Kong which was supposed to go to U.P. which also has some heli or some plane (i dont know exactly). If it belogs to someone who is reading this thread then please contact the customs (Please dont refer me, due to personal reasons).

Change your name on every parcel as they keep a record of your name(how many parcels you recieve and past history). This also speeds up the work.

IF YOU MAKE ANY ENQUIRY ABOUT YOUR PARCEL WITH THE CUSTOMS DEPT AFTER READING THIS THREAD, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DONT REFER MY NAME...!!!

Thank You
Regards
Anam Aggarwal
(anam_funny@yahoo.com)

Pretty soon (if not already), it will not only be "Hobby Parts", but "Toy Parts", "Replacement Parts" etc.  I am surprised that they do not Xray parcels first, then open if needed.

Helis with cameras in the same parcel ? That it just a brain-dead idea to order them together.

What will they do with the parcels that are not released ? They have to release them sooner or later, after ensuring no restricted items are there (like any aerial photography stuff). 

Yes... The parcels which they detain will be kept there in the detained section. They are not even auctioned. They will send it back to the sender after you submit a letter to them to do so.

I must mention that i had ordered my parcel through registered mail about which i have told above.

One of my parcels sent through speed post is also lying in customs since 25 days, i havent claimed it yet. Although it was showing "sent to domestic location" on IPS Web Tracing System. So if your EMS Parcels are late or showing sent to domestic location since a very long time, you might be facing the same problem.

If you order some FPV Stuff, declare it as "sample", "surveillance systems" on special request. Keep it seperate from the main order. Try splitting you order in many parts.

I am not sure about declaring "Toy Parts"... The restriction goes for any RC Car, RC Train... or any RC Item...

These are hell lot of restriction...

Before that they should ban import of Motor Car, Bike and Boat parts and ask people to use Bullock karts. There has been no incidents involving R/C planes used in Terrorists activity in the entire world. Cars/Trucks have proven lethal. I think Terrorists are more rational in thinking that our A****le authorities!

Wish Ramesh Sir and AMAI brings the change sooner..

We just cant do anything... but still parcels are being passed... its just your luck... my 2 parcels out of 4 were detained. so its just your luck. now we need to be more carefull and not order very frequently... like 3-4 times a month

I always wonder why people want to install cameras on RC model planes and take Arial Videos and Photos especially in the current period situations. The only reason I see is, that since it is a novel idea and makes them special in other people's view, they do it to satisfy themselves. These Imaging devices, Flower showering and banner towing etc are never a part of RC Model plane flying. In my opinion RC modelling hobby is about building model planes and enjoy flying them. My view may be an old fashioned.   

Well, there is a professional side to it, like Mr Arvind of Rotor Chennai who is a professional cameraman, and an RC heli mounted camera is one of his tools. 

For an average hobbyist, there are two aspects (at least).

1.  It is fun to see the field they fly in from above.  But the curiousness would only last a few flights.  Hopefully people do it away from any kind of sensitive area.

2.  The thrill/adventure/technique/fun of FPV flying.  It is a different feel, with even the stick movement completely different (more like in a real plane).  In my view, this is not about "being cool or special", it is truly a different branch/style of enjoying RC.

One can say this is not part of the original/core definition of RC/model flying, but that is just a very personal point of view

This is an example of ham - handed government which our government is famous for.  I am appalled at the trends today in the name of terrorism. Watch out people, governments are usurping power in a myriad of small ways..  If I am a career  terrorist(I believe there are many!!), I have many other foolproof and efficient ways to lay hands on electronic equipment!!  Terrorism is a business much like any and just like money laundering has its own channels to support logistics..

I know I am digressing... But confiscation of a R/C parcel is insignificant but I think if a parcel is traceable and the owner is identified then they should hand it over..  period because it is not their property!! 

FPV is illigeal in India. Period
Go check out WPC site for approvals and you would find none. So even if it operates on one of the unrestricted radio spectrum bands unless it is type approved it is as illegal as a gun without a licence.
As for bans etc, there is absolutely no ban on parts/equipment required by us. You need to fight it out if your parcels are detained. Ask them for notification, under which this has been detained, file an RTI query read as much as you can from Govt and other sites and go armed with information to fight for your rights.   

if it is banned than how some of us has managed to import it .

It isn't banned... there are restrictions... the restrictions were imposed for 6 months... but now the govt. have extended the restrictions. There are some parcels which are released randomly... but some are detained... its all your luck... some are really sent back if not claimed for long time... i have also seen hobby parcels which were kept there since 2008... they are now being disposed off i guess... in the north zone all parcels are cleared from delhi... so people in nothern zone (incl UP, Punjab, J&K, Haryana, Himachal and some more states) will definately face the problem... for sure... 

IT IS DETAINED AND YOU NEED NOC FROM DGCA- Directorate General of Civil Aviation of your region.

go to www.dgca.nic.in and go under rules... under sec2(air worthiness) there are hell lot of requirements...
For more information, you can also contact your regional office (ask for air worthiness)

If Quasi-LHS take the postal route for their own benefit, instead of ports, episodes like these are deemed to happen.
I bet many people would be happy to hear this 

I think we are missing a very vital point here, none of the models (as long as you are within ambit of definition of models) come under the ambit of DGCA purview.
Also I could not find section 23 under airwothiness, could you please post the url for that page?
Also please read the aircraft rules on the same site, where you would find definition of aircraft which needs to be read in conjugation with the roles and functions of DGCA.
As long as you are not hampering or endengaring civil/military avaiation operations there is nothing which would get model flying under DGCA's purview   

I don't think the Rules you mentioned are applicable for R/C controlled airplanes as they don't carry 'Civilians' and not critical to human lives (except freak accidents of crashing into crowed).
Its Customs ignorance to route to DGCA, as there is no clear guideline for these items - I would prefer they put it under 'Toys' as  they are 'Big Boys toys' indeed!

Hope IMAI effort soon shows up and the stupid ban on R/C toys are completely taken off.

<Edit> Captain, I guess  Anam is referring to
http://www.dgca.nic.in/rules/adv-ind.htm

This is totally impractical to Aeromodelling as many hobbyist are involved in Scratch/Plan build and  people like Ashta sir  comes up with a new plane almost every week. How would he call DGCA people  to inspect his plane every week, when the plane is still in testing period!! 

No these are not toys, please read through the IHS tarrif and classification manual, these are classified as models (working or not).

The URL takes you to circulars page from 2007 to 1995 and after going through all of them I do not see anything which covers aeromodels.

Anam,
Could you point out to what exactly are you referring to?

Also I think you must have told the customs officer that there are aircraft parts on which he would deal with them as per Full size parts and hence the requirment of DGCA clearance. You need to point him out that these are covered under different chapter i.e. chapter 95
Please see the classification below under heading 950300

9503 00 - Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar
wheeled toys; dolls' carriages; dolls; other
toys; reduced-size (“scale”) models and
similar recreational models, working or not;
puzzles of all kinds:
9503 00 10 --- Of wood u 10% -
9503 00 20 --- Of metal u 10% -
9503 00 30 --- Of plastics u 10% -
9503 00 90 --- Other u 10% -
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

This has happened to me the first time I imported model items and was set right when the officer was pointed the correct chapter. Also he may come up with query that since these are toy parts from China and hence need safetuy clearnace as per some IS and European standards, you could downlaod these standards and take it along, and politely point to him that these do not apply to models and are meant for safety standards for toys used by children, once you have read the standards it would be clear as to thier application  

And one more caution this only applies to engines and models not to your radio equipment or part thereof, these are under chapter 85 and are restricted.    

What a beautiful way to put this Captain!!
I bet bet if be discrete to higher authorities and ready with right justification and papers, we could definitely get through at least non0-flying models (read -ARF, sans any electronics/engine).

actually till now this is the only information i could gather from dgca high officials... i called them yesterday and today also and had a talk with 2 different officials. both have to say that read the rules and regulations before applying for the NOC. I visited the office near S.J. Airport, delhi. They also had to say the same thing. I was trying to get an NOC for my second parcel and i have failed to get one.

They are aware of the RC rules and regulations but they let me to the same page again and again...

So how do we get out our parcel from the customs if it is caught?? I need some sugestions here. Yeah sure Bribing the officials if one of the many options but it isnt working out there. The lower staff is also not listening...

I totally agree with Ujjwal because i have studied CAR (Section 2) and passed long back thats different matter  and no where i have seen rules regarding RC planes or UAV and i have personally met Officer of RAO (DGCA) bangalore his name is Mr Selvam who told me until n unless aircraft carries human and which has some registration it dosent  matter in any ways  ,only restriction is you should not fly above 500ft AGL near airports! practically below 1000ft even 1/4 scale  plane cannot be detected by RADAR.

When did you visit him??? this ruling is passed not even 6 months ago... it has been extended for another 2 to three months... i guess customs dept have more information about this...

Anam, why did you visit DGCA at all !! its like shooting at your feet! You could have contacted the local flyers before taking such extreme step!! You are not the first guy getting stuff from overseas!

See, there is already no clarity of the hobby in the country. If people coax DGCA for unnecessary affair (like contacting F1 regulatory for street race), they may create unnecessary hurdles which does;t exist today.
Customs is at fault to ask DGCA, tell them that this is not for real plane- its for model making for educational purpose - say IIT competition.
I would strongly suggest to settle the matter with customs or forget your packet. Bringing DGCA would create a BIG mess.

Anam,
I think you need to read all the posts here more carefylly, the 6 month back ruling you are talking about is regarding toy ban from China, about this please read my post and the ruling itself which would clarify you things.
You are only making matters worse for you. And no you do not need to bribe anyone.

The best suggestion I can give you is to visit this site  http://personalimport.blogspot.com/ and write to the guy with your problem he will sure tell you a solution. But before that read through the blog as he does not post anything which he has already posted. Another caution it applies only to personal import/exports and he does not advice to commercial guys.
 

Nice find Captain!! Keep us informed!!