Can i take my drone to canada will there be any issue in the border

[wjkrysak]

Welcome to the forum. We look forward to your participation and your view of the world.

 

[AMann]

Dumb question but I'll ask it anyway. I have traveled often without registration with US Customs (most recently to Poland). How do I register my Mavic Mini 4 Pro with US Customs before a flight from Miami to Johannesburg, with overnight stay in Qatar? (Zimbabwe safari in September).

I’ve done it with cameras, computers, drones and other expensive stuff, especially when new:

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp/certificate-registration

https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/cbp_form_4457.pdf

 

[sarahb]

Welcome!

 

[alfo2010]

I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada and have been fly drones here for seven years since I started this hobby. National Parks and Provincial Parks are no fly zones, but no one seems to police the rules. Unless you do something stupid. Police and the RCMP have no interest in where drones are flying and if you fly a sub 250 gm drone the regulations are don’t be stupid like flying at the land and harbor airports or final approach and take off flight paths. National Parks are too large to patrol with only a few park rangers to patrol these parks that cover vast areas. People here are cool about drones here and are only interested in your drone and not where you are flying it unless you are reckless and doing stupid stuff.

 

[LOkayaks]

I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada and have been fly drones here for seven years since I started this hobby. National Parks and Provincial Parks are no fly zones, but no one seems to police the rules. Unless you do something stupid. Police and the RCMP have no interest in where drones are flying and if you fly a sub 250 gm drone the regulations are don’t be stupid like flying at the land and harbor airports or final approach and take off flight paths. National Parks are too large to patrol with only a few park rangers to patrol these parks that cover vast areas. People here are cool about drones here and are only interested in your drone and not where you are flying it unless you are reckless and doing stupid stuff.

I found this thread, and thought this might be good place to start a conversation. I also live on Vancouver Island, and I respect the "no fly" zones of Provincial Parks and of course, aerial flight paths (float planes, especially). However, there is a professional photographer who publishes his drone photos, very often taken in forbidden areas and over marine mammals. I've gently chided him on this, and he's gotten a bit defensive, insisting that he's got permissions (highly doubtful). Now, there's another photographer who is posting videos to YouTube, and he's clearly been flying deep IN the Provincial Parks nearby (delicious photos of waterfalls). Now, I'm simply jealous, because I, too would love to fly in such places, but I refrain because I don't wish to get into trouble, BUT ALSO, because, if I do it, then I'm being a poor ambassador of the craft, and thus, the next person who just got a drone and doesn't know the rules will just follow along and do the same... .and then we have even more strict rules, eh?

I don't know if I should bother pointing out to people who are clearly breaking the rules, or, should I stand down and fume that they are getting something I really wish I had?

 

[Dale D]

I found this thread, and thought this might be good place to start a conversation. I also live on Vancouver Island, and I respect the "no fly" zones of Provincial Parks and of course, aerial flight paths (float planes, especially). However, there is a professional photographer who publishes his drone photos, very often taken in forbidden areas and over marine mammals. I've gently chided him on this, and he's gotten a bit defensive, insisting that he's got permissions (highly doubtful). Now, there's another photographer who is posting videos to YouTube, and he's clearly been flying deep IN the Provincial Parks nearby (delicious photos of waterfalls). Now, I'm simply jealous, because I, too would love to fly in such places, but I refrain because I don't wish to get into trouble, BUT ALSO, because, if I do it, then I'm being a poor ambassador of the craft, and thus, the next person who just got a drone and doesn't know the rules will just follow along and do the same... .and then we have even more strict rules, eh?

I don't know if I should bother pointing out to people who are clearly breaking the rules, or, should I stand down and fume that they are getting something I really wish I had?

On my trip to British Colombia and Alberta a year ago I brought my Mini 3, and very selectively flew where I could legally fly, but it's certainly a challenge since most places are National Parks. I surely avoided flying any places where I was in line of sight of any human being. I would quickly put the drone up about 100 ft. and shoot quickly and land quickly. I did not actually do flights. I had to be isolated deep in the areas where there were no observers, cars, or risk of anyone seeing me. I have always called this stealth. I did everything possible for months ahead of the trip to get the drone permit but it was terribly complicated and impossible. It is not easy using a drone.

 

[Bad Santa]

Canadian drone license (certificate, whatever) is relatively easy to get. I have mine.

 

[PINEBARON]

As I stated in another thread earlier, I fly in BC, Canada all the time. I use Drone Pilot; in addition I have flown at certain provincial parks following exclusive permission from a park ranger else I skip that flying. I could not fly all summer from my daughter's home since there was a forest fire within 9km. I finally got to fly from her back yard during Xmas week, the fire had finally extinguished.

 

[LoudThunder]

I don't know if I should bother pointing out to people who are clearly breaking the rules, or, should I stand down and fume that they are getting something I really wish I had?

Don’t fume, report it, they are breaking the law and if, as they say, they have permission… (Doubtful…) then no harm, no foul…

Remember, what they are doing will affect all of you legal drone pilots with stricter rules, laws and restrictions…

We have an expression here in the States, "If you see something, say something…."

Here is the link to report it and provide all the information you know: Links, Names, address, etc…

Report a drone incident

 

[Chrislaf]

If you are planning on bringing a drone to Canada, the best drone to bring would be a sub 250 gram drone like the Mini 4 Pro or earlier. The Mini 5 Pro is not considered a sub 250 gram drone in Canada. For visitors to Canada the rules/requirements to fly a drone that is above 250g are prohibitively restrictive and as others have mentioned likely not worth it.

As far as flying in National and Provincial parks, I disagree with those who say they are not well patrolled or monitored so just fly anyway as long as you are not stupid. As an avid camper and outdoor enthusiast who has camped in many National and Provincial Parks across Canada, I agree that our parks should be drone free. When I go to a park, I go there to enjoy the peace and quiet and natural beauty. The last thing I want to hear is a drone buzzing overhead. And yes, there have been many times I wish I could have taken out my drone to get a unique perspective that I couldn't get from my DSLR in many of the parks I have been in but then when I think of the bigger picture it all makes sense to me.

Chris

 

[PINEBARON]

When flying in a provincial park 'with temporary permission' from the park rangers, I follow a strict rule of conduct; not fly above people, not fly close to or disturb wildlife, not photgraph/video anyone or invade anyones privacy, etc. all common sense rules, this enables me to get the same permission each time.

And yes they are patrolled.