Originally Posted by
quarryking
From a few years back i recall Indian Customs seizing a drone from my bag on arrivals. They were not allowing you to bring in any drone (small, large etc). Not sure what the rule is these days.
Drones of all size / UAVs / RPAS (in switched-off condition and packed appropriately) are allowed in cabin and hold luggage as per BCAS:
https://bcasindia.gov.in/#/pages/per...ectronic-items
The bone of contention is
Lithium metal batteries (Watt-hour rating not exceeding 100 Wh and lithium metal content not exceeding 2 g) 2 spare/ loose batteries per person: those are not allowed in hold/checked luggage:
https://bcasindia.gov.in/#/pages/per...ous-substances
Indigo clearly points this out on their pages:
https://www.goindigo.in/baggage/dang...ds-policy.html (power bank: big red X)
The IATA DGR sheet attached to the web page is also pretty clear for devices with Li batteries:
Lithium battery-powered electronic devices. Lithium ion batteries for portable (including medical) YES YES YES NO
electronic devices, a Wh rating exceeding 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh. For portable medical
electronic devices only, lithium metal batteries with a lithium metal content exceeding 2 g but not exceeding
8 g. Devices in checked baggage must be completely switched off and must be protected from damage.
Lithium batteries, spare/loose with a Watt-hour rating exceeding 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh for YES NO YES NO
consumer electronic devices and PMED or with a lithium metal content exceeding 2 g but not exceeding 8 g
for PMED only. Maximum of two spare batteries in carry-on baggage only. These batteries must be
individually protected to prevent short circuits.
My colleagues in India have a DJI Mavic Air and asked my to bring them some spare batteries in 2021. The CISF guys in BOM went nuts when they saw the 3 spare batteries in my cabin baggage. The fact that the packaging said 'drone' just added fuel to the fire. Fortunately I had the relevant BCAS documents/notifications on hand and argued my way out of the mess. Even though nothing was taken away the incident was duly recorded in a register and both the supervisor and I had to sign the ledger. This year I saw in DEL & BLR that any discussion/discovery was registered electronically (china style) by the CISF crew. I seriously doubt the drone was stolen. Its probably lying on some shelf with a tag.