Batteries and DEL Departures (also departure tax)

I heard when we landed and noticed on the VS Site that loose batteries are not allowed onboard the aircraft.

Does anyone know if this extends to spare batteries for laptops? I presume that you can put them into your hold luggage with no problem? The reason I ask is that I have a spare battery for my laptop and without it I'm likely to run out of power on the flight (am in PE on a 343 so no in seat power [:(] ). I suppose if I do have to put it into checked baggage its a good excuse not to work on the flight

Also, is there a payable departure tax at DEL? If so does anyone know how much it is and if you have to pay it in local currency or if its pre-paid by VS?

[RichardMannion]

Hi Kryten,

No in regards to the deprature tax, just make sure htey stamp your passport properly when you enter the country otherwise you'll have a nightmare when you try and leave.

For the batteries, laptop batteries are fine but standard batteres (AAA, AA, PP9 etc) are not if they are loose - if they are in a packet then its fine.

Thanks,
Richard

On the money front, do make sure that you change back any surplus rupees before going through security at the airport. There is nowhere to change money after security and you're not allowed to export rupees. This caught me out the first time I came home from India and I had to go back through security to change my money back. The queue to get through security is way too long to want to have to do it twice...

Thanks guys, that's what I wanted to hear [y] So far I've not actually changed any cash for Rupees, I'm stopping at the Radisson Noida and have a compliemntary chauffer to take to to the office and to the airport and I'll put tips onto the main bill so that they get distributed (apparently!)

Glad that there is no departure tax, I have just checked my passport and the stamp is there ok, and I have the slip of paper (exit document) with my ticket. Looks like the flight is 100% full on Saturday accoring to Expoert Flyer except a few spaces in J (although what's weird is that on the seat picker there are loads of spare seats in W which is weird). I guess I'll be there early to make sure in case the queues are big. Can anyone let me know what the Clipper Lounge is like there? It seems to be used by most airlines so I'm worried it could be busy?

The lounge at DEL is small but comfortable. Many airlines use it because it's the only lounge there. I've used it two or three times and it varies from almost completely empty to pretty full. They provide a limited selection of sandwiches and some small hot Indian snacks (samosas etc). The bar will serve you a small number of free drinks before you start having to pay for them. Even though it's not the best lounge in the world (by a very long way) it is so much better than having to wait in the indescribable turmoil which is the main departure lounge.

Originally posted by cshore
The lounge at DEL is small but comfortable. Many airlines use it because it's the only lounge there. I've used it two or three times and it varies from almost completely empty to pretty full. They provide a limited selection of sandwiches and some small hot Indian snacks (samosas etc). The bar will serve you a small number of free drinks before you start having to pay for them. Even though it's not the best lounge in the world (by a very long way) it is so much better than having to wait in the indescribable turmoil which is the main departure lounge.

"Indescribabe turmoil"? The airport is almost empty at the time (post noon) the VS flight turns around in DEL. Likewise, the Clipper Lounge, where you can get a reasonable hot and cooked meal if you so desire at a fair price, and a bottle of mineral water costs you 12 rupees unlike what the extortionists charge elsewhere.

You want to see "incredible turmoil", you need to take a look at Terminal 3 and 4 arrivals in LHR lately.

On money:- You are entitled to take out a reasonable quantity of Indian currency if you so desire, and the authorities will typically not object to your carrying upto 10000/- rupees. Any more than that, and like most everywhere else, you will need to fill up a form as well as show proof that the money was legitimately acquired, ATM slips are fine.

On batteries:- the security authorities will take charge of all dangerous materials, put it in a bag, hand it over to the airline, and give you a receipt, co-signed by the airline. The list is fairly inclusive, but based on common sense. Spare laptop batteries are in the "permitted" list.

Good luck. Flying in and out of India is not as difficult as people would like to have you think. And there are always enough trolleys.

Please note that batteries are only classed as 'dangerous' by the Indian authorities - it is not a VA requirement that batteries be regarded in this manner.

Also, you will need to leave plenty of time - dangerous materials must, by law, be notified to and accepted by the aircraft commander; and listed and fully described on the manifest.

Of course, if they are simply bagged and handed to the aircraft crew and not notified and listed, then they are not really dangerous goods.[:(!]


From the VA website:

The following items CANNOT be carried in your hand baggage:

* Toy or replica guns (plastic or metal)
* Catapults
* Household cutlery
* Knives with blades (of any length)
* Paper knives
* Razor blades
* Tradesmen's tools
* Darts
* Scissors *
* Sporting bats
* Billiard, snooker, pool cues
* Cigarette lighters including butane, absorbed-fuel (Zippo-type), electric/battery-powered and novelty lighters (for passengers travelling to and from the USA, Barbados and from India)
* Matches (for passengers travelling to and from Caribbean) **
* Hypodermic syringes ***
* When departing DEL/BOM the Indian authorities will not allow pungent spices, fruit, loose or spare batteries, including 1.5 volt pen light

*edited for my usual (cr*p) spelling