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Drones forbidden in Egypt? Drones forbidden in Egypt?
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It's going to be a long 300km...
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  #1  
Old 26 Aug 2017
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Drones forbidden in Egypt?
Hi,

We're on our way from South Africa back to Germany, currently in Ethiopia.

We have a DJI phantom 4 with us and I'm pretty sure they're not allowed in Egypt? Can anyone confirm that?

I think I might have read somewhere that when you ship your car out of Alexandria, they x-ray you and would confiscate the equipment. Is that right?

If that is the case, how safe is it to DHL it back to Germany? Should that be from Ethiopian or Sudan? i.e. Can we use it/have it in either of these countries?

Should we keep the battery in the car and just send the frame with camera?

I found a post here, but it was from 2014, about AlpsToAfrica actually being deported. Would quite like to avoid that situation
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  #2  
Old 26 Aug 2017
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Dunno but poor AlpstoAfrica was coming in from Libya, a border where really bad things happen.

Operating drones is illegal so they will confiscate it at the border.
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  #3  
Old 26 Aug 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by priffe View Post
Operating drones is illegal so they will confiscate it at the border.

Do you mean in Egypt or Libya?
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  #4  
Old 26 Aug 2017
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Any border crossing, as it is illegal to operate. If you came in by flight they would impound it and probably give it back when leaving.
Last edited by priffe; 26 Aug 2017 at 22:41.
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  #5  
Old 27 Aug 2017
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I don't think I understand.

They are not illegal in the whole world, not are they impounded at every border.

I was specifically asking about Egypt.

Maybe someone else knows?
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  #6  
Old 27 Aug 2017
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At boarders you never know specially at corrupt ons like Egypt. They also wanted to confiscate my LED touch but while being paitent and friendly finaly they did not steal it from me...
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  #7  
Old 27 Aug 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wickychicky View Post
I don't think I understand.

They are not illegal in the whole world, not are they impounded at every border.

I was specifically asking about Egypt.

Maybe someone else knows?
I was talking of Egypt. The traveller you read about tried to go into Egypt over Libya, and that border crossing turned out to be a nightmare. If I recall correctly he had his vehicle confiscated and spent time in jail before being deported after they found the drone in his vehicle.
That wouldn't happen at any other border post, but from what I know they would confiscate your drone as they are illegal. I was in Egypt two years ago and that's hat I found out. There are drone forums like www.phantompilots.com where they should know more.
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Old 27 Aug 2017
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Thanks.
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  #9  
Old 29 Aug 2017
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Satellite phones also illegal in Egypt.
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  #10  
Old 29 Aug 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wazungu View Post
Satellite phones also illegal in Egypt.
Wonder if they are confiscated then.
Best would be to contact Egyptian customs in advance and see if there is a solution.
If it could be shipped to the port of exit and retrieved there.

Knowing Egypt there may be some "fees" involved. If at all possible.

Let us know how you resolve it Wicky as it may be helpful to other travellers.
Last edited by priffe; 29 Aug 2017 at 20:17.
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  #11  
Old 29 Aug 2017
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To be honest, I'm sure we'll do it the boring way and DHL from Khartoum. But will definitely post here.
Thankfully we don't have a sat phone to worry about as well!
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  #12  
Old 20 Sep 2017
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The final answer is that we took the safer route of DHL from Khartoum.
We were advised not to go via Ethiopia as it would inevitably get stuck in Customs, never to be seen again.

In Khartoum we took it to DHL who said they wouldn't send it without permission from customs, which we had to get ourselves!
Got an agent who then spent 6 hours with us getting the appropriate documents and all of us very frustrated as every officer we had to talk to said something else about whatever's needed.

Customs in Sudan also said we had made a mistake by not declaring it on arrival into Sudan, so we had to get it temporarily imported as the first step, before it was allowed to be exported.

In the end the agent went to the big boss and said we won't get more than what we had and it was signed off.

We were allowed to part with 150€ (!!) at DHL and it was amazingly delivered to our recipient in Germany after 4 days. Also had to answer an email and supply some ID and receipts to German customs.

A day of hassle for sure, and on arrival into Egypt the checks were rather lax, so we could easily have brought it in, though I presume we would have trouble getting it out again onto the ship, so still glad we bothered.
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  #13  
Old 21 Dec 2020
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Why would they do that? I mean I get it that people like to use it for videos or even military things (I am guessing that is one of the reasons they banned it in the middle east) but I still think that they could be useful in the long run especially in countries with bad roads or rough terrain. I mean I have used a drone a few times when I was hiking sort like a scouting party and it worked like a charm. I actually think that even a simple drone with a decent enough lens would work in this case. I have a few different drone at home but all of them I bought basing my decision on a blog post I found not that long ago. You guys can check it here: https://buyersimpact.co.uk/. I found a lot of useful information there and I have been using this blog as reference for most of my technical purchases. I am hoping it will be useful for you guys as well.
Last edited by lakersgirl; 8 Jan 2021 at 16:06.
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  #14  
Old 21 Dec 2020
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lakersgirl View Post
Why would they do that?
Security. Drones are very helpful to garbage brained people that like to commit terrorist acts.

Sad.
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  #15  
Old 22 Dec 2020
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A DJI Drohne could lead to Jail, there are some well documented cases.

Sometimes it is enough to carry them with you in the back of the car, you dont even have to fly..

Here two Overlanders wo was on a Transafrica over the east: 5 days jail...



https://www.blick.ch/ausland/polizei...id2447175.html

https://www.blick.ch/schweiz/nach-fu...id2451769.html

I did carry a drone over the transafrica over the west - not even got searched...


Surfy
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