Foreign Office warns UK tourists over two electronic items which are now 'banned'

The Foreign Office has sounded the alert to British holidaymakers heading outside the European Union and travelling to Asia.
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


The Foreign Office has issued an urgent warning to UK tourists over two electrical items which are BANNED in India. The Foreign Office has sounded the alert to British holidaymakers heading outside the European Union and travelling to Asia.

UK tourists are being advised to check the latest travel advisory for their chosen country before going abroad. Tourists should always be aware of a country's laws before visiting to avoid legal trouble, the Foreign Office has warned.

In a warning for UK tourists, the FCDO said : "It is illegal to possess and operate satellite phones and GPS devices in India without a licence, even if you are only transiting through India. This may also cover other satellite-enabled devices, including handheld or cycling GPSs.

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"You can be fined or arrested for possession of these devices without permission and the item can be confiscated." The Foreign Office went on and added: "A number of British nationals have been arrested or detained for bringing satellite phones and other satellite-enabled navigational devices into the country without prior permission."

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It's worth remembering FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the India-Pakistan border, except for at Wagah where travellers can cross the border.

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And it advises against all travel to the region of Jammu and Kashmir (including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, the city of Srinagar and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway), except for travel by air to and from the city of Jammu, travel within the city of Jammu and travel within the region of Ladakh.

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Manipur including the capital, Imphal. Curfews and restrictions continue in parts of Manipur following violent ethnic clashes that broke out in 2023. Intermittent incidents have continued and escalated in September 2024.