Hi
I am new to RC hobby and picked up during my visit to US. Now that i am returning to India, can anybody tell me whether i am legally allowed to bring my RC Helicop without any hassles through Mumbai customs. Do i need to get any permit for bringing it to the country.

Hi
I am also new to RC India. Looks like a great forum though. Can't help you much with your question, however I was wondering what type of RC Helicopter you bought in America?

Welcome to RC India

Looks like you did not search for this information, it is already answered.  Please see the first few results of this search :

http://www.rcindia.org/search2?search=baggage+customs

Dismantle the copter, batteries separate and packed and there is no issue. Even Tx is not an issue unless your luggage are opened. I've brought back a funjet and fox glider recently with a lot of miscellaneous parts plus a Spectrum Tx with absolutely NIL issues. Its all a question of how you turn up at the customs which makes every bit of difference!!

My experience entering India (which is extensive, carrying tens of  thousands of dollars of largely computer gear and electronics) over the past 6-7 years tells me two things:

1) Mumbai has stickier customs than Delhi. Never had to x-ray scan a bag in Delhi or been hassled at all, vs Mumbai where I have bags scanned roughly 80% of the time, but generally few hassles.

2) Only carry sensitive things in suitcases. Any commercial box (cardboard or otherwise) will attract unwanted attention. Knowing this, I once had to carry something that was over-sized, so instead of a suitcase I carried a huge plastic tub, but was sure not to put any expensive electronics in any of the bags on me. Sure enough, I was stopped, pulled aside and everything was searched, but my wife went through with her normal-looking suitcases stuffed full of LCD monitors and electronics with no hassles.

Yea, I've noticed that too.. People with luggage that looks 'normal' are let through without any problem.. So are ladies.. But anybody with cardboard boxes of any kind are thoroughly checked..

Hi Friends,
These days I am in Switzerland and might be returning to India in 4-5 months. I would like to buy a 600/700 size heli (possibly Mikado logo 600SE). However, I am in a dilemma - whether to buy it here in Switzerland and bring it along with me to India or to wait for few months and buy it there.

For option1 -
1) How should I package(checkin,carry) this for airlines? Shipping is not an option as its way too expensive here in Swiss.
2) Will Customs/Govt rules be a problem at airport(IGI Delhi)?

for option 2 -
1) Is it possible to get this heli imported to India? how do you guys buy 600/700 size helis in India?

I prefer option 1 as I do not want to wait for few months to buy this heli ...... I almost pulled the trigger once  ... I have seen similar threads here but really can't decide based on those.

Thanks for your advice...

Already answered in this thread, so merged it. 

You are better off buying outside, instead of ordering from India and dealing with customs issues, the chances of which are very little if you carry it in person (better to dismantle the main pieces, like into 3 or 4 pieces... tail separate, head separate, etc).

bribe them, let them fly for free

Quote from: ratul22 on June 21, 2010, 03:32:26 AM
Hi
I am new to RC hobby and picked up during my visit to US. Now that i am returning to India, can anybody tell me whether i am legally allowed to bring my RC Helicop without any hassles through Mumbai customs. Do i need to get any permit for bringing it to the country.

bribe them, let them fly for free

Hi All,

I am planning to visit India (Bangalore, Hyderabad) around mid Feb'14.  Planning to carry my quad copter along with its batteries (6 x 3S), JR9503 Tx + accessories etc.  Just wanted to know if there are any restrictions by Customs Dept on the same?  Or any precautions / documentation that I need to arrange for? I am planning to put the whole stuff into a Pelican hard case and hand carry the same (as I understand batteries should not be checked-in).  Any suggestions would really useful.  BTW, I will be arriving from Singapore.

Thanks in advance!!

If the custom officials see a different box for a quad they might ask you to open the box and show whats inside
If you put the quad in a checkin bag
U wont face any hassels

You have a limit of buying stuff worth 35k for a person except tv's.
for ex: If me and my father go to us we are allowed to uy upto 70k as 35k * 2 is 70K.
after that we have to pay 33% customs of the whole.
This rule is not for tv's you have to pay the full amount for tv's

Hey Chintal, just to confirm.
I am moving from Lucknow to Bangalore with LiPo batteries and Tx. If I place them in checking bag, no objection will be made. Is this correct?
I was worried about two batteries that I would carry one 2200mAh and one 500mAh.

@mpnchar

Chintal is right while scanning on arrival customs may bound you for physical check.LiPo not allowed please check with airline prior.but tx and quad are not restricted item they will allow but may levy duty.

we can't speculate what will happen especially with indian customs.

@nitesh

your wrong for US different story its piece concept.each person can carry 20-28kg of two.

Customs calculate value not the weight.Example for 30kg you can't carry 50-100 mobile phone.

Three month back the rule has been amended TV included in weight.

don't misguide.

This is what I was told by an customs officer.

ho
He enlighten you with wrong information

Hi All,

Thanks so much.. so just to sum-up:
1) Carrying the Tx may attract charges (direct / indirect)
2) I can dismantle most parts and put it in check-in baggage - that's Ok for me.

How about Lipo's?  I understand Lipo's are not safe to check-in?  Should I hand carry?

Never

Lipo comes under DGR dangerous goods regulations under airline SOP. Check with airline before check-in or check with other cargo airline or logistics and send the lipo as cargo to india who may transport DGR.


By the way there is also limit in carrying LiPo

@Moorty, wow, so, I cannot air travel within India with LiPo. How do people go to various events?

Quote from: rcrcnitesh on February 04, 2014, 09:46:54 AM

for ex: If me and my father go to us we are allowed to uy upto 70k as 35k * 2 is 70K.
after that we have to pay 33% customs of the whole.
This rule is not for tv's you have to pay the full amount for tv's

Allowances cannot be clubbed. In other  words, you would only get a maximum set off of 35k for an item if it cost more despite having a total allowance of 70k.
To the best of my knowledge, TVs are included in the set off. Almost everyone returning from Bangkok now carries a TV back!

@Chindichor

Certain domestic airline accept DGR separate formality.same way in delhi,Mumbai,Bangalore you won't get in trouble because of inline screening but chennai,kolkata and other airport problem may rise.

even though many security won't know Lipo comes under DGR 

Formality like booking through cargo,packing with Un rated boxes,Declaration of purpose,

Before duty was exempted till 32 inch LCD.Rules changes day by day in India.

Thanks all for your sharing.. I'll take a chance and see how it goes... will come back around end of Feb and share my experience!

I had bought a plane in Paris with 2 lipos and had successfully brought it with me to India , without any customs hastle .

Quote from: chindichor on February 04, 2014, 09:49:31 AM
Hey Chintal, just to confirm.
I am moving from Lucknow to Bangalore with LiPo batteries and Tx. If I place them in checking bag, no objection will be made. Is this correct?
I was worried about two batteries that I would carry one 2200mAh and one 500mAh.

sorry i have to quote this
no lipos in checkin as far as battries are concerned none of them will be allowed
tx will not have any issues

Hi do you sell transmitter

Was that for me ?
Yup coming up shortly

Quote from: chintal on February 05, 2014, 12:07:16 AM
sorry i have to quote this
no lipos in checkin as far as battries are concerned none of them will be allowed

Not sure where this is coming from... there are already instances noted in this thread where this seemed to be not a problem. I know someone who flew in and out of the country with couple of 2200mAH lipos in checked baggage last month.

If you carry lipos in checked luggage then it might go through, coming to India more chances no issues but same carrying to other country then more chances of getting stuck.

International flights may not  have any problems
But domestic flights 99% no lipos in check in
I have had many bad experiences
With lipos in check in bags

Dear Sir,

Thank you for writing to IndiGo.

With reference to your mail, we would like to confirm that we tried reaching you on the provided contact number, however the call went unanswered. With regards to your email, we would like to clarify that the carriage of batteries are subject to the clearance from the security, Further, you may carry the same in the check-in luggage, however the might not be permitted inside the hand baggage.

Further, for detailed information on your baggage allowance and the items that are not accepted I the flight please refer to our conditions of carriage through the following link https://content.goindigo.in/Information/ConditionsOfCarriage

Please feel free to contact our call center at 099 10 383838 / 0 124 6613838 for any assistance regarding fares, schedules, corporate tie-up and other travel information.

Best Regards

Melvin L Oommen

Customer Relations
InterGlobe Aviation Limited ("IndiGo")
Level 5 Tower D Global Business Park
M G Road Gurgaon Haryana 122002 India
F +91-124-4068536
www.goindigo.in

------------------- Original Message -------------------
From: [Please enable JavaScript to see this content]
Received: 2/4/2014 12:46 PM
To: <Indigo Customer Relations>; Customer _Relations; customer relations; Indigo Customer Relations
Subject: Enquiries Baggage Services XXXXXX 2/4/2014 12:46:43 PM

Name: XXXXXX
Telephone: XXXXXX
Booking Reference: XXXXXX
Type of Feedback: Enquiries
Feedback: I have a presentation in Bangalore. That requires me to carry a LiPo battery. Can I carry them with me? I will be travelling from Lucknow to Bangalore.

Basically, if security passes the batteries, IndiGo does not have an issue.

i have travelled through
indigo
jet
airindia
these guys dont have any problems
the thing is airport security
when they scan your luggage if they are in a good mood anything will bass by
i have travelled with swiss knife in my laptop bag
and while returning home when i had ni cd battery in an rc car packed inside my checkin bag
airport security had gone crazy
they are asking me to drive the car
and god knows wt not
even after doing wt ever they asked me to do
they didnt allow the car

Friends

Clearing the lipo comes under security discretion.But maximum security don't know LiPo comes under DGR.All battery looks same in X-Ray machine. Looking at the shape we ask for physical check.

Acid battery are easily identified.But LiPo,Nicad,and other dry cell look similar.

Hi All,

Thanks for your suggestions & feedback.  I arrived with my quad, Tx, 6x 3S lipo's, 2x life batteries (for tx).  No problems encountered anywhere.. Hopefully I should be flying my quad sometime tomm or day after somewhere on the outskirts...hand carried all except Tx which was in my checkin baggage (hard suitcase). 

Seems like we will have more and more issues with lipos on planes.

But i don't get it how "change in pressure" can cause LiPo battery to burst into flame as an aeroplane cabin pressure is maintained at a certain pressure in which people are comfortable(1 atm also same on the ground) so change in pressure is not a cause!
I guess the person may have tried to interfere with lipo!

The Cargo Hold is not pressurised like the Cabin. Even the cabin pressure is less than 1 Atm., and it varies.

thats true that luggage hold is not pressurized(its a hell for pets ) but it was on the overhead luggage storage

Cabin pressure is less than 1 ATM but enough to keep u alive, and lethargic to not create problems. The lipos don't go in cargo, suppose to carry on. Incase something happen u can notice it. Pressure is not the cause.

How does a person interfere with a lipo?

May have shorted due to poor maintenance or manufacturing, or just because it's dji. Lol

Hi . I just purchased a mini quadcopter which is about 15 cms from Dubai. I live in India so I want to take it back home. Will I have any issues at the airport in Mangalore ? Please Let Me Know Soon.

Hello fellow modellers!

I am new to this forum, but have been into RC flying for two years now.

Although I did search the forum, there was no conclusive answer to this question -

Can I bring JUST the Transceiver along with me in checked-in baggage from USA to India? This unit does not appear in the list published by WPC. It has a 2.4Ghz Tx and 5.8Ghz video rx built-in.

Will this have to be declared as well? If yes, do I need to obtain a certificate online from WPC?

Please help!

Thanks
gyroman

Quote from: gyroman on June 11, 2016, 11:44:47 PM
Hello fellow modellers!

I am new to this forum, but have been into RC flying for two years now.

Although I did search the forum, there was no conclusive answer to this question -

Can I bring JUST the Transceiver along with me in checked-in baggage from USA to India? This unit does not appear in the list published by WPC. It has a 2.4Ghz Tx and 5.8Ghz video rx built-in.

Will this have to be declared as well? If yes, do I need to obtain a certificate online from WPC?

Please help!

Thanks
gyroman

You won't get a WPC approval.

Just bring the stuff, it'll be fine. I had a friend bring FPV goggles with Rx and another friend bring Vtx and antennas and there was no problem. Don't declare you're bringing an radio equipment, tell them it's for robotics if they ask.