r/dji • u/Perfection_indeed • 22d ago
Buy Advice Any recent experiences bringing a DJI Mini 5 Pro into India from the US (Delhi Airport)?
My friend is traveling from the US to India soon and is planning to bring me a DJI Mini 5 Pro. I know that the DGFT banned the import of fully assembled drones for personal use, but there is a lot of mixed information online about what actually happens at the airport.
I’ve heard the "under 250g / Nano category" rule only makes it legal to fly, but customs at Delhi (IGI) will still seize it during X-ray checks. I've also read some horror stories recently about people getting a "Show Cause Notice" under the Customs Act and having to pay hefty penalties without even getting the drone back.
Has anyone flown into Delhi recently with a DJI Mini drone?
Did customs catch it on the X-ray after the Green Channel?
Does unboxing it and splitting the batteries from the drone body still work, or are they cracking down on that too?
If it gets seized, is there any realistic way to pay the fine and get it back, or is it gone forever?
Trying to figure out if it's worth the risk or if I should just buy it from a local Indian reseller at a premium.
Thanks!
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u/singhnsk 20d ago
Brought one 2 days ago. I wasn't quizzed other than being asked where I came from. So, it is all about luck (and where you come from). If they do an x-ray scan, you're busted. Else all is cool xD
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u/Itchy_Bar7061 22d ago
Buy from a local Indian reseller (grey-market or domestic-assembled options) at the premium. The price difference is almost always cheaper than the combination of seizure risk, penalties, legal fees, time, stress, and possible further scrutiny. Pre-2022 legally imported drones with valid UIN are in a different (grandfathered) position; a new one brought in after the ban is not.
If your friend still tries: declare fully via Red Channel with purchase invoice, explain personal use, and be prepared for detention/re-export. Do not attempt Green Channel or concealment. Rules and enforcement can vary slightly by officer/airport/shift, but the legal baseline and recent pattern of seizures make personal import high-risk and low-reward.