Just thought I would let you know of my recent experience in Mexico with my Spark. Traveled to Huatulco, a resort area on the Pacific Ocean. I read up on things related to drones before I left and knew there was a chance I would be charged a VAT (Value Added Tax) of 15% of the value of the drone when I went through customs. I stowed my drone and batteries in my carry on bag. No trouble going through security in Chicago.
In Mexico, once you gather your luggage, you have to go through an inspection portal where your luggage may or may not be inspected. Your chance of getting an inspection is based upon pressing a button on a supposedly random red light/green light system. If you press the button and get a red light, your luggage gets inspected. Been going to Mexico for many years and the system has basically remained the same. Of course, my wife and I got the red light.
Inspection of the luggage went fine, but the customs agent did find the drone in my backpack. Opened the case and took it out. He immediately asked me how much I paid for it and I took a chance and said $75. I figured the Spark is so small that it looks like a toy, unlike say the Mavic Pro. A lot of Spanish was exchanged with his co-workers. During this conversation, he was holding and waving around the Spark to emphasize his points. Naturally, I was a little nervous about potential damage. The end result was that it was not worth the paperwork to charge the VAT on a $75 drone and he gave the Spark back to me and sent me on my way.
At the resort we stayed at, the only problem I had was that the hotel did not want the drone flying near or over the resort. I complied with this request from a security person, who ended up interested in the FPV feed on my phone from the drone. I smiled a lot and respected his request and all seemed fine
Anyway, the Spark travels well and because of its size, appears more like a toy than a mid level drone. Below is a video of the bay in Huatulco as well as some photos. It did a great job.
In Mexico, once you gather your luggage, you have to go through an inspection portal where your luggage may or may not be inspected. Your chance of getting an inspection is based upon pressing a button on a supposedly random red light/green light system. If you press the button and get a red light, your luggage gets inspected. Been going to Mexico for many years and the system has basically remained the same. Of course, my wife and I got the red light.
Inspection of the luggage went fine, but the customs agent did find the drone in my backpack. Opened the case and took it out. He immediately asked me how much I paid for it and I took a chance and said $75. I figured the Spark is so small that it looks like a toy, unlike say the Mavic Pro. A lot of Spanish was exchanged with his co-workers. During this conversation, he was holding and waving around the Spark to emphasize his points. Naturally, I was a little nervous about potential damage. The end result was that it was not worth the paperwork to charge the VAT on a $75 drone and he gave the Spark back to me and sent me on my way.
At the resort we stayed at, the only problem I had was that the hotel did not want the drone flying near or over the resort. I complied with this request from a security person, who ended up interested in the FPV feed on my phone from the drone. I smiled a lot and respected his request and all seemed fine
Anyway, the Spark travels well and because of its size, appears more like a toy than a mid level drone. Below is a video of the bay in Huatulco as well as some photos. It did a great job.
