Can I Fly With This?
Can I bring drone on a plane?
Quick rules for flying with drone in carry-on and checked baggage. Verdicts and conditions across the major aviation regions below.
🇺🇸 United States (TSA)
Drone body can go in either bag. The battery must travel in carry-on (lithium rules apply: <100 Wh standard, 100–160 Wh with airline approval).
🇪🇺 European Union (EASA)
Drone allowed; battery must be in carry-on. Some EU countries restrict drone import — check destination rules.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom (CAA)
Drone allowed in either bag, but the battery must be in your carry-on.
🌎 Latin America
Drone body allowed (battery in carry-on per lithium rules). BUT most LATAM countries require drone registration before use: Mexico (DGAC + AFAC), Brazil (ANAC + ANATEL), Argentina (ANAC), Colombia (Aerocivil), Chile (DGAC). Many national parks and archaeological sites (e.g. Machu Picchu, Tulum) ban drones entirely. Confiscation at customs is common if undeclared.
🌏 Asia (ICAO / IATA baseline)
Drone body OK in either bag (battery in carry-on per lithium rules) — but using it on arrival is heavily restricted. Indonesia (Bali): requires Kominfo permit + DGCA registration; drones routinely seized at Denpasar customs without paperwork. Japan: drones ≥100 g need MLIT registration + Remote ID. Thailand: NBTC + CAAT registration. India: DigitalSky permit. China: foreigners are commonly denied flight permits. Singapore, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Myanmar can confiscate at the border. Declare on entry.
🇦🇺 Australia & Pacific (CASA)
Drone body OK in either bag (battery in carry-on per lithium rules). Australia: drones over 250 g must be registered with CASA before any recreational flight, and pilots need free CASA accreditation; flying near people, in controlled airspace, or in national parks is restricted. New Zealand: CAA Part 101 rules apply, written permission needed to fly over private property. Pacific Islands (Fiji, Vanuatu, French Polynesia) often require local permits — declare on entry.