Peru

[Chadnovz]

Im going to Peru in a few hours. Wanted to know how your experience was with your drone regarding customs at the airport. Read that some had to put a deposit and some didnt.

 

[Ecuador Live]

No direct experience with Peru, but FYI, we've been discussing the same topic re: bringing a Mavic into Ecuador in the thread:
Taking my Mavic to Ecuador

I currently live in Ecuador but I used to live in Peru (albeit it over ten years ago), and if I remember correctly, customs does quickly spot scan bags upon entry to identify contraband or items owing customs duties. I think a Mavic is unlikely to be identified as a drone under an X-ray simply because it doesn't have the telltale shape like a phantom does.

For reference:
In Ecuador, you're allowed to bring in a drone valued up to $500, and pay an import duty of about 35% of the total value if it passes that amount.
From a quick Google search, in Peru you're allowed to bring in a drone valued up to $200, and pay an import duty of about 22% of the total value if it passes that amount.

I'm sure you'll want to confirm this with some having experience going into Peru specifically, but my $.02 is that you will most likely be fine because they are unlikely to find it, but if by some chance they do find it, be prepared to pay an import duty of somewhere around $220.

 

[aringhof]

This is absurd. It's just a freaking camera that the ability to fly and take photos. These anti-drone regulations are sickening

 

[Ecuador Live]

I totally agree with you! It's sooo frustrating for customs offers to tell you you're not allowed or have to pay a bunch of money to have your drone, when there are REAL threats out there that customs should be worrying about like drugs, weapons, etc.

But, it's actually not an anti-drone regulation - it's a vital source of government revenue on all luxury items with very few exceptions like medical devices and computers for students.

In many Latin American countries like Peru and Ecuador, the government isn't able to collect the tax it needs to operate. A huge percentage of the population doesn't earn enough to pay income tax, tax evasion is the norm, property taxes are a joke, etc. so the government gets their revenue from those who can afford to pay taxes whenever you consume what is considered to be a "luxury" product through high customs duties and VAT.

Basically, if you live in Latin America, you'll pay 2X more for things like name brand booze, TV's, tablets, and drones, but your income taxe will be much lower so it all works out in the end.

However, this is totally unfair if you just come for a visit - you shouldn't have to pay a huge tax on something you're just going to use for a few weeks and then take home with you. That's why they usually allow tourists to leave the drone at customs, and pick it up on your way out, without paying the tax, but what a pain!

The ironic part is that camera equipment IS considered to be a personal item, so you can bring in a $5,000 DSLR setup without any worries, but a $500 drone will incur tax because it's NOT considered a personal item.

I agree with you that it's total B.S. for non-residents to have to pay this, If you enter on a tourist visa, you should be exempt from import duties unless you're bringing in 100 iphones or something obviously for resale.

I wouldn't do it with a phantom, but I would with a Mavic, it's highly unlikely to be turned up by customs...


,

 

[Chadnovz]

Hey guys. Made it to Peru. Arrived at 3am. Went to customs and declared my mavic. They asked me what the value is so i said $999 (im from canada so telling them the US price made it cheaper for me to pay tax) and got an 18% warranty deposit. So i paid $180usd total. But i can get it back before i leave the country

 

[Hauptmann]

That's good news to me, because Peru and Machu Picchu is on my bucket list. Be sure to let us know if you actually do get it back.

 

[Chadnovz]

That's good news to me, because Peru and Machu Picchu is on my bucket list. Be sure to let us know if you actually do get it back.

You cant fly over MP though

 

[Ecuador Live]

Wow, very honest of you to declare it at customs. That's great to know that they have a fair way to deal with drones, i.e., that you get the tax back when you leave. Makes perfect sense when you think about, serves as a guarantee against illegal imports.

In Ecuador you can't fly in the Galapagos either, but other than that and a few airport restrictions, there are basically no anti-drone rules and plenty of amazing scenery!

I still think you could just leave it in your bag and they would never notice it since it doesn't look like a drone under the X-ray...

 

[Chadnovz]

Wow, very honest of you to declare it at customs. That's great to know that they have a fair way to deal with drones, i.e., that you get the tax back when you leave. Makes perfect sense when you think about, serves as a guarantee against illegal imports.

In Ecuador you can't fly in the Galapagos either, but other than that and a few airport restrictions, there are basically no anti-drone rules and plenty of amazing scenery!

I still think you could just leave it in your bag and they would never notice it since it doesn't look like a drone under the X-ray...

Yeah i cant risk not telling them as they might hold it at the airport hahaha anyway im hoping to fly my drone tomorrow as we are visiting sacred valley.

 

[rfreeman779]

I still think you could just leave it in your bag and they would never notice it since it doesn't look like a drone under the X-ray...

Correct...it looks nothing like a drone under the X-ray. It looks more like a bomb. Don't ever try to slip something through customs. These guys are sharp and you may end up having it confiscated if you're not honest about it.

 

[Chadnovz]

Exactly. We dont want to get in trouble in a foreign country.

 

[Chadnovz]

Got my $180usd deposit in cash

That's good news to me, because Peru and Machu Picchu is on my bucket list. Be sure to let us know if you actually do get it back.

 

[schiho]

I was doing a South-America trip and entered Peru from Bolivia last week and they weren't interested into the mavic in my camera bag at all. Maybe because it is sitting next to my lenses, they didn't think it's a drone.

 

[Chadnovz]

I was doing a South-America trip and entered Peru from Bolivia last week and they weren't interested into the mavic in my camera bag at all. Maybe because it is sitting next to my lenses, they didn't think it's a drone.

Hahaha good for you!

 

[rfreeman779]

I had no problem at all with my Mavic and did not have to pay at customs. I was very nice to the lady and asked her what I needed to do in order to declare my "little drone." I had the invoice paperwork with me, copies of the serial numbers (drone and remote) as well as my passport. She asked to see it and to assure her that I would not be leaving it in Peru when I left in 6 days. I also told her that the price of the drone (and I also had a copy of an online listing) was $750 without accessories. She told me that it was below the limit for needed to be declared and that if it had been a larger drone, I would have had to pay a deposit.

Moral - Don't talk about how nice and wonderful and expensive your Mavic is and let them know that you are here to take pictures of their beautiful country. Chances are, you'll breeze right through.

 

[elchato2512]

Hello I'm from Peru and wish you no complications with your Mavic.
Normally you will find no restrictions. If you are going to Cuzco (Machu Pichu) or other cultural patrimony maybe you can't. Or try to have a license in ministry of culture, I think there is an office you have to ask.
If you're going to travel inside Peru you will have no problems
In Lima no restrictions except near airport.
Hope you enjoy my country and of course, have a Pisco Sour and all the excellent food.
Cheers
[emoji1363][emoji41]
[emoji1197]

 

[schiho]

My biggest problem in South-America was actually stray dogs! When I was trying to land the DroneI a Dog saw the Drone closing in and started barking at it and jumping around. I couldn't land it, as I was afraid that the Dog might hurt him self. I've tried to fly the drone away, out of sight so that he keeps moving. However, once I brought back the Drone to my return point, the dog came back and slowly other Dog's joined the barking. My final solution was to catch the Drone in the air!

Since then, I am trying to figure places where Dog's can't reach easily and as well thinking of a second landing plan.

Btw. I was in Machi Pichu yesterday, they really don't like drones, and they are not allowed there. Even though I saw some people using it (probably flying it from a far point), the security guys immediately tried to locate It's origin.

 

[seafanne]

I took my Mavic to Peru 2 weeks ago and self declared it, paid the temporary permit of 180 USD but got it back before i left Peru again. the customs even escorted me to the check in counter to guarantee me, and that sped up my whole checking in process. haha. no hassle in just declaring.

 

[Tarka]

Hey all,
I’m in Peru and went through the whole customs bit; paid the deposit etc without any fuss. They did spot the Mavic on the x-ray machine which is just as well because I had no idea they needed to be declared.
Has anyone left from a different point from where they arrived though? Eg. Arr. Lima and dep. Cusco? I’m travelling by land to Bolivia and was told that I can collect the deposit from Puno.

 

[t.loeffler]

I took my Mavic to Peru 2 weeks ago and self declared it, paid the temporary permit of 180 USD but got it back before i left Peru again. the customs even escorted me to the check in counter to guarantee me, and that sped up my whole checking in process. haha. no hassle in just declaring.

Hey, where do you have to self-declare it?
Is it just when you are landing in Peru before to arrive to the X-Ray control, or do you have to do it on the internet before the trip?