• Import of Drones is 'prohibited' but import is allowed into India after obtaining an Authorisation from the offices of DGFT. 
• There is no restriction on Import of Drone-Components.
• Nano and model drones (made for research or recreation purposes) can be imported without type certification.

If you have been told that Importing Drones is now banned in India then be ready to be surprised. Technically, that is not true. 'Banning' means putting an item under NEGATIVE LIST.

Drones are not under Negative List but Restricted List which means that Drones can be imported with an Import Authorisation issued by DGFT. 

HOW TO import droneS DESPITE IT BEING PROHIBITED?

Import of all kinds of drones, both 'nano drone' or otherwise is subject to Import Authorisation from DGFT. Extract of revised government policy is provided below for quick reference:

For those interested in reading the full transcript of the revised policy, refer: DGFT Notification No. 54/2015-20 dated 09.02.2022

IS IMPORTING DroneS different from importing anything else?

Inevitable corollary of the revised policy is that drone-import is now prohibited, which is not true.

Policy on Importing Drone is no different than policy on importing a car in India. Both are meant to discourage import of completely built unit.

For cars, the import-duty is purposely kept prohibitively high to discourage import of completely built cars into India but import of spare parts and components is allowed at normal rate of duty to promote manufacturing of cars in India.

Similarly, the new policy discourages import of drones (completely built unit) but import of drone-components is being encouraged to help manufacturing of drones in India.

Further, Import of Cars is possible at ZERO-duty for certain category of importers and so also is import of drones possible by certain category of importers.

What do you want to import:

If you are searching 'how to import drones in India' because you plan to import a completely built unit (CBU) for R&D/ Testing or plan to import drone-components then you have reached the right place. We provide consultancy for a one-time fee. 

We not just provide turnkey-service but also provide option to learn from us and process your application at your own for 1/10th of our total fee. 

What all Our consultancy covers?

• Legal requirements to import drones (Unmanned Aircrafts) into India as CBU for R&D/ Testing
• Legal requirements to import drones (Unmanned Aircrafts) into India as CBU for supply to defense forces
• Obtaining Import-Export Code
• Obtaining Import Authorisation from DGFT
• Obtaining UIN
• Obtaining Type Approval from WPC
• Hassle Free Import of Drone Components
• Sourcing of Drone Components
• Import Custom Clearance
• Turnkey door-to-door logistics for import

We have experience at handling import of drones including logistics on door-to-door basis, including custom clearance.

Please feel free to call us for a quick discussion.

Importing Drone for Self-Use or Trading

As an Individual, if you are planning to import drones because you plan for self-use or for trading then our advice to you would be to source drones from local manufacturers within India because unless you have an extraordinary reason, obtaining Import Authorisation from DGFT for CBU may be very very difficult.

Still Want to Import?

We can help source custom built drone as per your requirement. Please share specification with us.

Do you plan to import drones?

Good news is that R&D Unit or Testing Unit can import drones after obtaining Import Authorisation issued by DGFT.

That is easier said than done because before applying for Import Authorisation one need to have a list of other NOCs depending on the end-use.

Some of the documents required for obtaining Import Authorisation from DGFT:

• WPC;
• BIS: Draft Indian Standard
•  Type Certificate (Form D-1) from DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF CIVIL AVIATION (DGCA)

Custom clearnace of Imported Drones as a cbu

The final step of importing a drone is getting it custom cleared, so let's look at what documents custom officer may ask for.

Documents listed here is usually what a customs officer may ask for importing a drone as a completely built unit:

• Supplier's Commercial Invoice;
• Packing List;
• AWB;
• Brochure;
• WPC;
• BIS: Draft Indian Standard
• UIN (FORM D-2): Explained Further;
• Type Certificate (Form D-1) from DGCA;
• Import Authorisation issued by DGFT.

Importing drone is one part of the activity but flying drone requires other Registrations like UIN.

ObtainING UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (FORM D-2)

Importing an nano drone would require you to obtain a UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (FORM D-2). Depending on whether your model is type certified or not, you may use Option-1 (if not certified) or option-2 (if type certified).

OPTION 1: OBTAINING UIN FOR TYPE CERTIFICATE EXEMPTED DRONE

1. Organisations can create manufacturer account and profile on DigitalSky platform, if not already created.
   
   
2. Login to DigitalSky platform and Select 'Add Exempted Model' menu option from the dashboard.
   
   
3. Fill all mandatory details of your Exempted UAS model and add your model on Digital Sky Platform.
   
   
4. Once model is added, Individual/Organisation user can Add UAS Serial Number from dashboard, for the added UAS Model.
   
   
5. User can Click Apply for UIN for the added UAS serial number.
   
   
6. Preview the Application for Registration of UIN, Pay ₹100 fee and Submit Form D-2 (Application for Unique Identification Number) Upon successful receipt of requisite fee, the UIN will be generated.

OPTION 2: Obtaining UIN TYPE CERTIFIED MODEL

Where to Import Drones in India from for easIER custom clearance?

For private enterprises, the policy for importing drone from all countries is the same but depending of bilateral agreement between the governments for specific end-use special provisions may apply.

Each import is different and depending on the purpose, we may be able to help with your plan of importing drone as a completely built unit irrespective of the country of origin.

Drone Import Authorisation: FAQs

Who issues the Authorisation?
Name of Office issuing Authorization: DGFT(HQ)

Who is the Authorisation issued to?

Importer Type: Merchant Cum Manufacturer Exporter or Manufacturer 

Salient Features of the Drone Rules, 2021

The unmanned aircraft system shall, based on the maximum all-up weight including payload, be classified as follows:

1. Nano unmanned aircraft system: weighing less than or equal to 250 grams;
2. Micro unmanned aircraft system: weighing more than 250 grams, but less than or equal to 2 kilograms;
3. Small unmanned aircraft system: weighing more than 2 kilograms, but less than or equal to 25 kilograms;
4. Medium unmanned aircraft system: weighing more than 25 kilograms, but less than or equal to 150 kilograms; and
5. Large unmanned aircraft system: weighing more than 150 kilograms.

CERTIFICATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM

No person shall operate an unmanned aircraft system in India unless such unmanned aircraft system conforms to a type certificate or is exempted from the requirement of a type certificate under these rules.

Certification standards

The Director General or any entity authorised by the Director General in this behalf, may, on the recommendation of the Quality Council of India or an authorised testing entity, issue a type certificate for any particular type of unmanned aircraft system.

REGISTRATION OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM

• No person shall operate an unmanned aircraft system without first registering it on the digital sky platform and obtaining a unique identification number, unless exempted from the requirement of a unique identification number under these rules.
  
  
• A registration record shall be maintained by the Director General of all such unmanned aircraft systems to which unique identification number has been issued under these rules.
  
  
• It shall be the responsibility of the person operating an unmanned aircraft system to ensure that such unmanned aircraft system conforms to a valid type certificate.

No-Permission-No-Takeoff (NPNT) 

NPNT is a software program enables Remotely Piloted Aircraft (except Nano) to obtain a valid permission through DigitalSky platform before operating in India.

• Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) also called Unmanned Aircraft (UA) or Drone is piloted from a remote pilot station.
• DigitalSky, a Ministry of Civil Aviation initiative, is a highly secure and scalable platform which supports technology frameworks such as NPNT enabled UAs for obtaining flight permission digitally and managing Unmanned Aircraft operations and traffic efficiently.
• If a NPNT compliant drone tries to breach geo-fencing (to go beyond the permissible boundary in the airspace), the in-built software will compel the drone to return-to-home (RTH).
• Drone flights in the green zone sites shall be compliant with the applicable conditions of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021.
• Flying in the ‘green-zones’ require only intimation of the time and location of the flights.
  • Permissions are required for flying in ‘yellow zones’ and flights are not allowed in the ‘red zones’.

Useful references:

• The Drone Rules, 2021
• Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022
• Know about UAS types
• Certification Process for UAS
• Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for drones and drone components
• Drone Import Policy dated 09 Feb 2022

INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE drone industry

The Central Government's reform measures to make India a global drone-hub are as follows: 

1. Liberalised Drone Rules, 2021 have been notified on 25th August 2021.
   
   
2. Drone Airspace Map has been published on 24th September 2021, opening up nearly 90% of Indian airspace as a green zone for drone flying up to 400 feet.
   
   
3. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones and drone components has been notified on 30th September 2021.
   
   
4. UAS Traffic Management (UTM) Policy Framework has been published on 24th October 2021.
   
   
5. Monetary grant programme for purchase of agricultural drones was announced by the Union Agriculture Ministry on 22nd January 2022.
   
   
6. All application forms under Drone Rules, 2021 have been made online on the Digital Sky Platform on 26th January 2022.
   
   
7. Drone Certification Scheme has been notified on 26th January 2022.
   
   
8. Mission 'Drone Shakti' has been announced for supporting drone start-ups and promoting Drone-as-a-Service (DrAAS) as part of Union Budget on 1st February 2022.
   
   
9. Drone Import policy has been notified on 9th February 2022, restricting import of foreign drones and freeing up import of drone components.
   
   
10. Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022 has been notified on 11th February 2022, abolishing the requirement of drone pilot license. Now a remote pilot certificate is issued by a DGCA-authorised Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) which is adequate for the remote pilot to operate drones.
    
    
11. As per drone Rules 2021 and Drone Amendment Rules 2022, drones being operated for research, development and testing purposes are free to operate in green zone such that the area where such drones are being operated is under the control of the testing entity.
    
    For operating in yellow and red zone, the permission is required from the Air Traffic Control and Central Government after checking multiple parameters like registration of drone and pilot, drone model, flight plan, purpose of operation etc.
    
    As regards the dealing with the privacy issues, Rule 49(4) of the Drone Rules provides explicitly that the provisions of these rules shall be in addition to and not in derogation of the provisions of any other law, for the time being in force.
    
    This provision adequately covers all offences including breach of privacy covered under the relevant laws including the Information Technology Act, 2000 that has provisions for punishment for violation of privacy.

TOP 15 FEATURES OF DRONE RULES, 2021 (NOTIFIED ON 25 AUG 2021)

1. Based on a premise of trust and non-intrusive monitoring.
2. Several permissions and approvals abolished.  Number of forms reduced from 25 to 5.  Types of fee reduced from 72 to 4. 
3. Digital sky platform being developed as a user-friendly online single-window system. 
4. Interactive drone airspace map with green, yellow and red zones shall be displayed by 24 Sep 2021. 
5. No permission required for operating drones in green zones. 
6. Yellow zone, where ATC permission is required, has been reduced from 45 km to 12 km from the airport perimeter.
7. No remote pilot licence required for micro drones (for non-commercial use) and all nano drones.
8. No security clearance required before issuance of any registration or licence.
9. Coverage of drones under drone rules, 2021 increased from 300 kg to 500 kg.  This will cover drone taxis also.
10. No restriction on foreign ownership in Indian drone companies. 
11. No requirement of import clearance from DGCA.
12. Remote pilot licence to be issued by DGCA within 15 days of pilot receiving the remote pilot certificate from an authorised drone school.
13. Maximum penalty for violations reduced to INR 1 lakh.  Was several lakhs earlier.
14. Drone corridors will be developed for cargo deliveries.
15. Drone promotion council to be set up by government with participation from academia, startups and other stakeholders.

FAQ

Q1: Can I bring drone from USA to India?

Answer-1: Yes, if you have obtained Import Authorisation from DGFT.

Q2: How can I import DJI drone to India?

Answer-2: You can import DJI drone to India after obtaining Import Authorisation from DGFT

Q3: Do I need to register my drone in India?

Answer-3: Yes, indeed; before flying any drone in India it must be registered with DGCA.

Q4: Is drone delivery legal in India?

Answer-4: Yes, if one has obtained Import Authorisation from DGFT.

More on: How to Import-Export