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Img 1: Aerial Photography In South Africa
Drone use is allowed in South Africa, but there are several drone laws that need to be followed when flying in the country. Operators must ensure that they follow the following drone laws when flying in South Africa,
Note: we do not recommend foreign pilots to assume that they can enter the drone into the country, we always suggest contacting the customs authorities in advance
A drone permit is not required for recreational drone use. Please adhere to the above General South Africa Drone Laws however when flying your drone. (What Is Recreational Drone Use?)
A permit is required for commercial drone use in South Africa. Click here to purchase a permit, or contact the local aviation authority. (What Is Commercial Drone Use?)
For a detailed guide to bringing your drone on airplanes click here. All drones should be brought on carry on luggage if possible. This is because according to the Montreal Convention, airlines are only liable for losses up to ~$1,000 USD. When traveling internationally, theft and lost luggage can be common issues, particularly if your flight has many connections. If your drone is worth more than $1,000 USD and you cannot bring it onto the plane you should consider shipping it with DHL, Fedex, or UPS instead and fully insure the shipment.
You should NOT place drone batteries in your checked baggage. All drone batteries should be placed in a Medium Size Lipo Battery Bag" data-src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=uavsystemsint-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B007V9MN44" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" /> like the one shown here in the link and brought onto the plane in your carry on bag. Lithium-ion batteries are considered “dangerous goods” by airlines and rules surrounding these batteries on planes are EXTREMELY strict due to multiple incidents of these batteries catching fire. Failure to properly pack lithium-ion batteries in a bag such as the one shown in the link above can result in the airline seizing them, you getting fined, or being denied boarding.
Here is some video footage shot by Luke Maximo Bell when flying a drone in South Africa.
Read all of our South Africa Drone Laws, and now looking for drones, parts, accessories, or something else? Read our guide for Buying Drones In South Africa. It includes information on drones for sale in South Africa, import taxes, payment options, and shipping.
