1. 🚦 The Short Answer
Recreational drone use is legally permitted for foreign tourists visiting Paraguay, but you must register your drone and receive authorization from the civil aviation authority before you fly.
2. 🛃 Customs & Importation Rules
- Airport Customs: Tourists can legally bring a recreational drone into Paraguay. It is generally treated as accompanied personal baggage.
- Declarations: There is no specific drone declaration form upon arrival, but you must declare the device if its value exceeds the standard tourist duty-free import allowance.
- Confiscation Risks: Your drone will not be confiscated merely for lacking pre-arrival flight registration. However, airline safety rules dictate that all spare lithium-polymer (LiPo) drone batteries must be carried in your cabin baggage, ideally inside fireproof battery bags.
3. 📝 Registration & Permit Process for Tourists
- Pre-Arrival Action: Yes, foreign tourists must register their drone with the National Directorate of Civil Aeronautics (DINAC).
- The Process: There is currently no automated online portal. You must send an email to dac@dinac.gov.py with your request. You must include your full name, a copy of your passport, the drone’s make, model, and serial number, along with a description of your planned recreational flight activities and locations.
- Time & Fee: There is no official fee for recreational registration. Processing takes at least five business days, so apply well before your trip. Once approved, you will receive a registration number that must be permanently affixed to the drone body.
4. 🚫 Key Flight Rules & Restrictions
- Standard Rules: Flights are strictly limited to daylight hours and good weather conditions. You must maintain Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) at all times and fly at or below the standard maximum altitude of 120 meters (400 feet).
- Weight Classes: Paraguay categorizes drones by weight, starting with small drones up to 10kg. Registration is mandatory for all camera drones, meaning standard international exemptions for sub-250g drones (like the DJI Mini series) do not bypass the DINAC registration requirement.
- No-Fly Zones: It is strictly prohibited to fly over crowds, cities, residential neighborhoods, government buildings, military bases, or within 8 kilometers (5 miles) of any airport or controlled airspace.
5. 🔗 Official Sources & Links
For the most current information or to initiate your registration, contact the official aviation authority:
Disclaimer: Aviation laws and customs policies change frequently. Always verify the latest requirements directly with official sources or the Paraguayan embassy before traveling with your drone.
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