Importing drones is going to be easier soon

India is taking baby steps towards ease of doing business and one such move has been made by the customs department.

The department is seeking single-window clearance for import of drones and satellite phones and has asked telecom department and environment ministry’s assistance in this regard.

This move will have less paperwork.

"We are in talks with the department of telecom and ministry of environment to bring them on board to become part of the unified clearance mechanism," a senior government official told ET.

Presently, separate clearances are required from these ministries before importing such products, leading to delays and hampering plans of startups to offer drone technology for a number of services.

Startups are using drones for a number of purposes, including aerial photography, aerial surveillance, crop assessment and policing.

It is noteworthy that single-clearance window has already been taken up by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, animal quarantine and plant quarantine, Drug Controller General of India and textiles ministry.

Also, the customs ports will have a Facebook page where people would be able to file complaints, give feedback, and interact with officials in the department.