International flyers bringing drones into India will have to declare them with customs

NEW DELHI: International flyers bringing drones into India will now have to declare them with the customs.With the remote-controlled flying devices emerging as a major security threat, the government has decided to revise the customs declaration form to include drones in the list of `prohibited and dutiable' items, with effect from April 1.

Mysterious drone sightings were reported around IGI airport recently , after which the Delhi Police issued an order allowing its men to shoot down any such mysterious object in the no-fly zone. Senior customs officials say the move will ensure stricter vigil and bring to notice if any drone is being brought into the country . In a notification dated March 1, issued by the finance ministry’s revenue department, the Central Board of Excise and Customs amended the customs baggage declaration regulations 2013. Drones have been added as a commodity to be declared and strict action will follow if a passenger tries to smuggle these in without informing,” said an official.

Customs officials say the need for all flyers to fill the customs form upon their arrival has been done away with and those who are carrying dutiable or prohibited goods only require to fill it in, as per the new rules. “Drones, if allowed to be freely brought in, can cause lawand-order problems. Usually, high-end drones are imported from countries such as USA, Germany and Japan by government agencies for surveillance and law and order operations,” said a police official.

In January, Delhi Police had issued a ‘standard operating procedure’ after a number of suspected drones were spotted in and around the airport. SOP allowed cops to shoot down any suspicious flying object over sensitive locations, especially in and around IGI. The objects included para-gliders, drones and hot air balloons. However, police will have to consult IAF and NSG before taking such an action.