What NOT to bring on your next adventure to India

by Joshua John | 27 Apr, 2026

“Hello, Josh…ummm, the customs officer at the airport has stopped me from boarding my flight…do you know a lawyer?”

I had just wrapped up another successful tour and was happily basking in the glow of a few new five-star TripAdvisor reviews when I got that call. Nothing kills a post-ride high quite like playing "one phone call" for a client who is about to trade their motorcycle seat for a wooden bench at the police station.

Before the 2026 summer riding season kicks off, I thought it might be helpful to mention the top five things to leave at home. Let’s ensure your only memories of India involve Himalayan passes, not Indian legal procedures.

And a heads up: these rules aren't new, but the enforcement has levelled up. If you "got away with it" in 2019, don't assume you’ll have the same luck in the current climate.

1. Communication & Navigation Tech These are "essentials" for the Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) or Trans Euro Trails (TET), but in India, they are often seen as "spy gear."

• Satellite Phones: If it says Thuraya or Iridium on the side, leave it in the drawer. Carrying one without a license from the Indian Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is a one-way ticket to a very long, very un-fun conversation with the authorities under the Telecommunication Act of 2023.

• Advanced GPS Units & Beacons: Devices capable of two-way messaging (like Garmin inReach or Zoleo) are frequently flagged. Unless you enjoy waiting for government authorisation that usually arrives three weeks after you’ve flown home, just don’t bring them.

• High-Power Walkie-Talkies: Your consumer-grade walkie-talkies often squat on frequencies reserved for the Indian military. Unless you want to accidentally eavesdrop on a border patrol and then get arrested for it, stick to hand signals.

2. Drones (The "Insta-Ban" Device) Foreign tourists are strictly prohibited from importing drones. You have two choices: buy one locally or rent one that is pre-registered on the "Digital Sky" portal. Also, military bases are not "scenic backdrops”; they are "no-fly zones" with very grumpy guards. It’s not worth jeopardising a two-week adventure just for a 20-second reel that three people will watch.

3. Motorcycle & Safety Gear Caveats You can bring your gear, but customs officers have a keen eye for "new stuff" they can tax.

• The Helmet Headache: We all love our Arai and Shoei lids. While you can wear your personal, used helmet (even if it’s not ISI certified), bringing a brand-new, high-value helmet still in the box is a bold move. Customs may see it as an "import" rather than "personal gear," leading to a fun afternoon of arguing over duties.

• Vehicle Spare Parts: If you’re bringing a bike via Carnet de Passages, be careful with the "just in case" pile. A mountain of new tyres and specialised components looks like a commercial business to an official. Tip: list your spares in your Carnet application or prepare to pay a 35% "surprise" tax.

4. Restricted Survival Gear

• Large Knives: Your Swiss Army knife is fine in checked luggage. Your "Rambo-style" tactical blade? Not so much. Airport security doesn't see a "survival tool"; they see a weapon. Also, those cool souvenir Gurkha “Kukri” knives or Naga “Daos” that are more than 9 inches long are strictly forbidden on flights. Even at land borders, they tend to "disappear" into an officer's collection.

• Vapes and E-Cigarettes: These are completely banned. Importing or even possessing them can lead to heavy fines. If you absolutely need a nicotine fix to survive, grab a pack of local smokes at duty-free, or better yet, let the thin Himalayan air be the only thing hitting your lungs for a while.

5. Weapons & Ammo (The "Oops" Factor) I shouldn’t have to write this, but here we are. Many of our riders are hunters or ex-military who treat ammo like loose change.

• The Stray Bullet: Check your pockets. Then check them again. A single live cartridge, a spent casing, or even an empty bullet casing used as a necklace pendant will cause enough drama to end your trip. People have been detained for days over a single "souvenir" bullet found in the lining of a backpack.

Since the day I got that frantic call, my advice has been simple: err on the side of caution. As my friend at the airport found out, the last thing you want after an epic ride is to spend three days in a legal quagmire, buying a new flight home, and paying for a lawyer whose hourly rate is higher than your bike rental.

Keep these five points in mind, and we’ll see you on the road for a smooth adventure in 2026!

STORIES

What NOT to bring on your next adventure to India

Joshua John

Two Up in The Tropical Pearl of the Orient - Sri Lanka

Toni Harris

Iran Revisited - 18 Year Old Observations Hold True

Roro La Velle

Based in London, Delhi and Austin, Texas, we are a group of people with one concise mission: To expose as many people as possible to the ultimate high of motorcycling the globe.
We believe that travel is the key to understanding our planet and our own place on it. When combined with our love for motorcycles as the mechanism for exploration – out there and at one with the elements – Two Wheeled Expeditions creates experiences like none other in the world.