Camera Bodies and Lenses on Indian Flights
Allowed
Allowed in cabin. Pack heavy tripods or light stands in checked baggage.
Quick answer
Camera gear is fragile, expensive, and often irreplaceable once you are on assignment. Airline liability barely covers âš20,000 per kg, so putting a full-frame body in checked baggage is essentially gambling with your footage.
Security wants to see a clean silhouette on the X-ray. Pack lenses upright, detach straps that look like cords, and keep silica packets in a transparent pouch so they arenât mistaken for gel packs. If an officer swabs your camera for explosive traces, cooperateâthey are protecting your shoot too.
Use modular packing: padded cube for lenses, sling for bodies, rigid tube for tripods in checked baggage. Every accessory should have a place so you can reassemble the kit in minutes once you land.
Packing day
- âDetach batteries, chargers, and external recorders; keep them in fire-resistant pouches.
- âCarry invoices or carnet papers if you are travelling with commercial gear.
- âLabel lens caps and filtersâsecurity trays swallow plain black caps easily.
At the airport
- âPlace camera cubes directly on the tray so staff can inspect them without touching glass.
- âDeclare gimbals or drones separatelyâthey follow their own rules.
- âRequest a hand search if you are worried about dust; CISF will accommodate if the queue allows.
Where each piece should travel
| Item | Cabin or checked? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Camera body + primary lens | Cabin | Keeps sensors safe from knocks |
| Spare lithium batteries | Cabin | Same rules as power banks |
| Tripods/light stands | Checked | Cover spikes and remove heads |
Do this
- â Use TSA locks on checked tripod tubes so inspectors can reseal them.
- â Keep desiccant sachets in a labelled zip bag so they are not mistaken for powders.
- â Shoot a quick photo inventory before leavingâhelps with insurance claims.
Avoid this
- â ď¸ Donât leave lenses mounted during travel; leverage can snap the mount.
- â ď¸ Donât pack unprotected drones with camera gear; they require special declaration.
- â ď¸ Avoid metal lens spanners or sharp tools in cabinâthey fall under prohibited items.
FAQ
Q. Are lens cleaning fluids considered liquids?
Yes. Bottles over 100ml must go in checked baggage, while tiny 30ml sprayers can stay in the 1L pouch.
Q. Can I carry film rolls through X-ray machines?
Most modern scanners are film-safe up to ISO 800, but if you shoot higher speeds request a hand inspection.
Q. Do monopods count as walking sticks?
Only if under 60cm and rubber-tipped. Otherwise check them with the tripod.
Tips before you fly
- âď¸ Mark your gear with coloured gaffer tape so you can spot it instantly on shared trays.
- âď¸ Carry extra SD cards in fireproof cases; static-free options impress inspectors.
- âď¸ Use quick-release plates that tighten by coin to avoid carrying Allen keys in cabin.
Related YourTravelGuide guides
Official references
India DGCA guidelines â simplified
Verified on: 6 Dec 2025
Disclaimer: Aviation and security rules change frequently. Always confirm with your airline, airport help desk, or CISF officers before you travel.