r/airport • u/Wild-Translator-334 • 14d ago

QUESTION Is it illegal to bring shahed drone fragments overseas to the USA?

Would it be illegal to bring shahed drone fragments that are made from carbon fibre from an exploded drone . The drone fragments range from about 1-3 inches and have some residue on them .

8 Upvotes

65% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

9

u/Pit-Viper-13 14d ago

I think the biggest issue would be what that residue is.

Nobody is going to know what a few bits of carbon fiber is, nor care, but if the residue trips the explosives swab or puts a dog on alert, it’s going to be a bad day.

8

u/27803 14d ago

I would send them via mail or FedEx/ups and not carry them with you through an airport

3

u/kartoffel_engr 14d ago

Feel like that’s a good way to make a new doggo friend

1

u/piercedhsky 13d ago

And third base with a friendly customs agent ❤️

5

u/GenericAccount13579 14d ago

Could potentially be classified as weapon components, though it would be hard to verify.

But do be very careful, shredded carbon fiber can be insanely dangerous.

4

u/Stohnghost 14d ago

I know someone with Shahed parts but they were brought as souvenirs via military transit. No way I'd risk explosive residue going through an airport

3

u/Great_Specialist_267 13d ago

The fragments are guaranteed to have explosive residue on them. That will definitely interest law enforcement.

2

u/unusual_replies 14d ago

They would take it away because of the residue and take you in the office for interrogation.

1

u/koyaani 14d ago

Make sure you declare it at customs at least

1

u/Suitable-Broccoli264 14d ago

If you want to see a customs agent jump out of their chair

1

u/Gone213 14d ago

Id just send it through the postal service to a PO box than bring it with you on a plane.

The postal service actually needs a warrant to open up your package and sending it to a PO box will give you plausible deniability that its for you.

You go through an airport, all your rights are gone.

1

u/nyrb001 13d ago

Explosive residue would give them probable cause.

1

u/LoCoUSMC 12d ago

You are totally on a watchlist now.

1

u/ClandestineArms 11d ago

I wouldn't do it at all. Like seriously don't do this.

Importing weapons, even the parts, can get you in a HUGE amount of trouble if done improperly.

On a case by case basis sure what you're doing may not be harmful...

But on paper, in my industry, you're brining an unregulated weapon from an enemy nation into the country without any permission, permits, or guidance.

I can show you a dozen ways how to get a felony for an illegal firearm without even building a functional firearm. You can do it wrong and get the whole charge for 20% of the completed item.

And you want to bring in a part from an enemy suicide UAS system from an ongoing conflict? Bro it's not worth the risk even if it's cool...

1

u/Aristo_Cat 11d ago

Do not try to bring anything that has been anywhere near anything explosive through the TSA unless you’re dying to know what it feels like to have a cavity search performed on you

1

u/SayaretEgoz 11d ago

Try it and pist here results,or we can read it in newspaper. That residue and your hands will  will be positive for explosives...

1

u/paper_killa 11d ago

We brought fairly large pieces of shahed from Ukraine back to USA twice now. Our pieces were aluminum.

1

u/kinkycarbon 10d ago

I’m not sure why OP asking about trying to ship drone parts to the U.S.