Traveling to Egypt with DPV

[fozzeltof]

Hi,

Does anyone have previous experience with travel to Egypt with DPV? Specifically with Egypt Air?. I recently purchased the Seacraft GO and want to take it on my travel. The batteries are lithium 97Wh segments x6 and fall within the aviation guidelines for lithium batteries of under 100 Wh. The baggage restrictions on Egypt Air websight has one paragraph that concerns me slightly: ‘no personal mobility devices such as hover boards allowed, in checked or unchecked baggage’. Could a DPV be lumped in this category?

 

[RedSeaDiver2]

Send an email to the liveaboard operator - they may have a scooter available or be able to organise one

It is possible that there might be a ban in Sinai - but there certainly isn't one in Hurghada. Scroll down to the third photo and tell me what you see? Soma Bay - ORCA Dive Clubs or watch this video which was filmed yesterday in Makadi Bay
Everyone needs to remember that a lot of rules for living and diving in the Sinai don't apply elsewhere in Egypt.

 

[Karel_de_Goeiste]

I know nothing about a ban. But yes, it is definitely possible to dive and rent a DPV in Egypt.

Two other options:
- Red Sea Explorers (liveaboard) offers the opportunity to rent a DPV (see Onboard Prices | Red Sea Explorers under Specialised Gear)
- And Scubaseekers (Dahab) offers a DPV course: Prices – Scuba Seekers Dahab (and maybe also DPV's for rent)

 

[r14n]

Hi,

Does anyone have previous experience with travel to Egypt with DPV? Specifically with Egypt Air?. I recently purchased the Seacraft GO and want to take it on my travel. The batteries are lithium 97Wh segments x6 and fall within the aviation guidelines for lithium batteries of under 100 Wh. The baggage restrictions on Egypt Air websight has one paragraph that concerns me slightly: ‘no personal mobility devices such as hover boards allowed, in checked or unchecked baggage’. Could a DPV be lumped in this category?

Did you end up bringing your DPV to Egypt?

 

[DougrEvo]

Hi,

Does anyone have previous experience with travel to Egypt with DPV? Specifically with Egypt Air?. I recently purchased the Seacraft GO and want to take it on my travel. The batteries are lithium 97Wh segments x6 and fall within the aviation guidelines for lithium batteries of under 100 Wh. The baggage restrictions on Egypt Air websight has one paragraph that concerns me slightly: ‘no personal mobility devices such as hover boards allowed, in checked or unchecked baggage’. Could a DPV be lumped in this category?

Hi, I’m in the same situation as you did you try to go to Egypt with your seacraft go? If so, how did you get on? my understanding is that using a scooter for Diving is now allowed.

 

[Searcaigh]

But yes, it is definitely possible to dive and rent a DPV in Egypt.

If you have any experience with Egyptian customs / airport security then this is the best option.

 

[r14n]

I received this when I messaged Hammerhead II liveaboard staff:

We've asked around regarding this DPV and this is the feedback we have (we've also sent this to liveaboard.com). It is a matter of chance. We don't have official information on whether it is allowed or not. We have had guests come through with it no problem. And others where they had them sign declarations that they will leave the country again with it (so they are not selling it without customs/taxes). We don't know if a case where it was denied for any of our guests but of course we cannot guarantee it, we don't have it as a matter of policy.

Hope this is helpful and apologies that we don't have a solid answer.

The worst case scenario is they hold in in the airport and you can claim it when you are leaving the country.

 

[r14n]

Tried to bring my scooters. Had a connecting flight to Marsa Alam after Cairo International. Security at Cairo said nothing, did no secondary search of my dive gear.

Upon arriving at Marsa Alam the bags were xrayed again including my carryon. The scooters were taken as "dive scooters are not allowed in Egypt". I was not flying home from Marsa Alam immediately, and had to pay a $100 USD transfer fee and do a bunch of paperwork (which took about an hour) for my scooters to be sent to Cairo International where I was able to pick them up before flying back to the US (which also took over an hour).

I dove in Marsa Alam, Sharm, and Dahab and did not see anyone with a scooter.

 

[RedSeaDiver2]

Tried to bring my scooters. Had a connecting flight to Marsa Alam after Cairo International. Security at Cairo said nothing, did no secondary search of my dive gear.

Upon arriving at Marsa Alam the bags were xrayed again including my carryon. The scooters were taken as "dive scooters are not allowed in Egypt". I was not flying home from Marsa Alam immediately, and had to pay a $100 USD transfer fee and do a bunch of paperwork (which took about an hour) for my scooters to be sent to Cairo International where I was able to pick them up before flying back to the US (which also took over an hour).

I dove in Marsa Alam, Sharm, and Dahab and did not see anyone with a scooter.

Interesting! Cairo Airport can be hit & miss.

 

[budlia]

I've just bought a Seacraft Go, which is IATA compliant, though I've learned that passengers should always check with the airline first, because they are legally entitled to refuse to carry anything they want! For example, British Airways won't allow DPVs on the aircraft at all.
As it is IATA compliant, TUI will transport the Seacraft Go to Egypt provided it it correctly packed and the paperwork is with it.
However, when I contacted the manager at Marsa Alam Airport, he kindly checked with the local Customs Authority based who said they would not let it through the airport due to 'security concerns'.

That makes no sense to me but the good thing is that I also contacted the authorities at Hurghada Airport, who confirmed that they don't have a problem with letting DPV's through as long as they have the appropriate certification with them! The exception is a brand called 'Sublue', that they don't allow.

There are several dive centres in Egypt that advertise training and hire of DPVs, so they are definately legal.

 

[RedSeaDiver2]

I've just bought a Seacraft Go, which is IATA compliant, though I've learned that passengers should always check with the airline first, because they are legally entitled to refuse to carry anything they want! For example, British Airways won't allow DPVs on the aircraft at all.
As it is IATA compliant, TUI will transport the Seacraft Go to Egypt provided it it correctly packed and the paperwork is with it.
However, when I contacted the manager at Marsa Alam Airport, he kindly checked with the local Customs Authority based who said they would not let it through the airport due to 'security concerns'.

That makes no sense to me but the good thing is that I also contacted the authorities at Hurghada Airport, who confirmed that they don't have a problem with letting DPV's through as long as they have the appropriate certification with them! The exception is a brand called 'Sublue', that they don't allow.

There are several dive centres in Egypt that advertise training and hire of DPVs, so they are definately legal.

You will find that awareness of, interpretation of, enforcement of rules in Egypt varies from place to place. What I do know is that -

• it is legal to possess a DPV in Egypt
• it is legal to manufacture a DPV in Egypt
• it is legal to use a DPV in Egypt
• it is illegal to import or bring a DPV into Egypt - the same applies for drones and ROV's - but see the first line of my reply as to why you might get away with it.