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China Travel Decisions

DRONE IN CHINA · DECISION GUIDE

Bringing and Flying a Drone in China

From airport baggage rules to UOM registration and legal flight locations, find the next practical step for your trip.

Pick your route Follow the steps Prepare a fallback
AI-generated illustration of a camera drone flying above a Chinese-style mountain valley
AI-generated scene; not a verified flight location.

01 / OVERVIEW

Three checks before you can fly

Carrying a drone on a flight, registering a drone in CAAC UOM, and obtaining permission to fly in a specific place are three different tasks. Decide which task applies before you begin.

What to remember

An account approval is not an aircraft registration, and registration is not an all-area flight permit.

AI-generated tabletop illustration of a foldable drone, travel case, spare batteries and passport
AI-generated preparation scene. Confirm battery and airline rules using the linked guides.

02 / QUICK DECISION

What are you trying to do?

Choose the situation that matches you. Each route opens a dedicated guide.

I will carry a drone but not fly itCheck airline carriage, batteries and arrival preparations.Start here I want to fly outdoorsStart with registration requirements, then local flying rules.Start here UOM is pending or rejectedFind the exact blocked stage instead of restarting.Start here

03 / PROCESS MAP

From packing to takeoff: four separate checks

Use this sequence to reach the correct existing tool or official instruction. Each step opens its own detailed guide.

  1. 01Pack for the airlineCheck battery Wh ratings and carriage conditions.Follow this step
  2. 02Check if registration appliesConfirm the requirement for your aircraft and operation.Follow this step
  3. 03Complete CAAC UOMHandle identity review, owner record and aircraft mark.Follow this step
  4. 04Verify flight locationCheck airspace and any additional permission.Follow this step

VISUAL DECISION TREE

Find your next action

Start at the question, then follow the branch that describes your actual situation.

Which stage needs your attention?Pick one branch below
Login, SMS or account accessAccess fixes Identity under review or rejectedReview guide Aircraft mark received, but flight location is unclearFlight checks

04 / Before departure

Flying to China and preparing your aircraft

Separate airline carriage from flying permission before packing.

Illustrated airport travel checklist for drone equipment and battery checks
Illustrative travel preparation checklist; airline rules must be verified separately.

CHECK BEFORE CONTINUING

Before departure: your next checks

Drone battery and airline rulesCheck battery carriage, Wh ratings and airline acceptance.Do I need to register?Get the yes/no answer for registration; do not assume an under-250g exemption.China drone registration overviewSee the CAAC UOM process and available DIY or assisted routes.

05 / CAAC UOM registration

Register the owner and aircraft

Use UOM to establish an official record; account creation alone is not aircraft registration.

AI-generated illustration of a traveler reviewing a generic drone registration dashboard
AI-generated illustration. This is NOT an official UOM screenshot or proof of registration.

CHECK BEFORE CONTINUING

CAAC UOM registration: your next checks

Register yourself in UOMFollow the screenshot-based step-by-step foreign-passport workflow.Assisted registrationCompare legitimate ownership routes and the available paid handling service.No Chinese phone number?Read the ownership and +86 phone constraints before starting.Passport image requirementsResolve the passport and additional-document fields truthfully.

06 / Fix a blocked application

Diagnose UOM errors by stage

Do not restart registration until you know whether the block belongs to login, identity or aircraft.

Pending or rejected identity reviewDistinguish account approval from aircraft registration.UOM access or SMS failureTroubleshoot account login and verification codes.Model or serial number issueFix an aircraft record mismatch.Registration mark and QR codeConfirm which evidence proves the aircraft is registered.

07 / Flying the drone

Check your location before takeoff

A registered drone can still be restricted at your destination.

AI-generated traveler planning a drone flight and consulting a generic colored map
AI-generated map illustration, NOT an official airspace map or a flight authorization.

CHECK BEFORE CONTINUING

Flying the drone: your next checks

Flight permits and approvalsDetermine whether your planned operation needs further authorization.UOM flight mapFind the official map/checking workflow.Beijing drone restrictionsDo not infer city permission from national registration.Shanghai flying decisionsCheck relevant location-specific restrictions.

NEXT ACTION / TROUBLESHOOTING

Something is blocked? Find the right owner page

Use the stage shown by UOM, not an unrelated quick fix.

Login, SMS or account access

Cannot receive a code, open UOM or continue signing in.

Access fixes
Identity under review or rejected

Personal identity approval remains separate from aircraft registration.

Review guide
Aircraft mark received, but flight location is unclear

Do not treat a QR registration mark as permission to take off.

Flight checks

CAAC UOM and applicable local authorities decide what is permitted. This hub is a routing guide, not proof of registration, clearance or a flight permit.

Back to Before You Go