

Can you carry a drone on an international flight? Drone regulations around the worldĪs unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) become more commonly used, policymakers are struggling to keep up. You could be risking fines or confiscation. If you’re traveling through security to a country with strict drone laws, it goes without saying you should leave it at home for that particular trip. When traveling with your drone through customs be aware that laws vary from country to country, and some places outright ban drones (more on that below).


Look at the airport security practices for any country you're transiting through. Most commercial drone batteries have less than 100 Wh (watt-hours), but it’s good to check against the airline’s rules just in case. Likewise, always pack batteries in a carry-on bag, so they can be stored in a pressurized environment where the temperature is less likely to fluctuate. Keeping expensive equipment in a carry-on case is good practice, as you have more control of how it's handled. Larger specialist drones or higher-end ones may be outside the dimensions for carry-on, especially when in their protective cases. Given that most commercial drones are now relatively small in size, once you've checked your airline's policies, you're likely able to pack it in your carry-on or your checked luggage when flying. TSA's primary concern is with your drone's battery: lithium batteries, fuel cells and components of certain parachute systems may be prohibited in baggage. TSA's drone policy mostly defers to individual airlines' guidelines when it comes to traveling with drones in-cabin or storing them in checked luggage.
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A drone's eye view of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain - if you want to capture this shot, just make sure you check the Canary Islands Drone Laws © Marco Bottigelli / Getty How to travel with your drone: What is TSA's drone policy?
