Customs -Bringing some simple medical instruments with me.

Baloo · Sep 1st, 2003, 13:13

Hi!

I think I have a question here that will be a challenge for you.

I will go to India in mid December for a five weeks long journey. For one of these weeks I am going to visit at a project for sponsored children (I am sponsoring one of them). At the project they have a small hospital that I am also sponsoring besides my child.
Now I have the opportunity to bring some simple medical instruments (for Blood Pressure Measuring, Fetal Heart Detector etc, etc) from a friend that works at a hospital in Sweden and give them to the project hospital. The instruments are old but still working properly.

My question is: Is this possible without doing a hell of a lot of paperwork for passing the customs and without giving a huge amount of bakshis/bribe for the custom officials as well? Do I have to ask the Indian embassy about the line of action?

The instruments are small and very simple (as I mentioned), so they could easily go down in my backpack. I will have detailed instructions/manuals for each one of them.

If anyone has an answer for this question I will be really happy (and amazed!)

vistet · Sep 1st, 2003, 14:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Baloo

The instruments are small and very simple...

Are we talking really simple here , i.e. manual instruments like the the wooden thingy for listening to foetal hertbeats ? I find it hard to believe that customs would care.

With electronic equipment my first concern would be airport security measures. A monitor with attached sensors is bound to attract scrutiny. If there are batteries involved these could be interpreted as charges in the x-ray, so I would suggest packing these separately.

Re carrrying medical equipment in general : I`ve travelled with a comprehensive first aid kit also containing scalpels and never had any questions raised ( the Trangia kerosene burner had me recalled to the bomb people five minutes before boarding though)

Baloo · Sep 1st, 2003, 16:24

Thank you vistet for your quick answer!

Quote:

Originally posted by vistet
Are we talking really simple here , i.e. manual instruments like the the wooden thingy for listening to foetal hertbeats ?

No not THAT simple.

And yes, some of the instruments have batteries.

For an example please see attached file (picture).

-m2- · Sep 1st, 2003, 23:18

those would look either scary or kinky on an x-ray I think

Baloo · Sep 2nd, 2003, 02:58

Quote:

Originally posted by -m2-
those would look either scary or kinky on an x-ray I think

lol

Then I hope they look kinky.......

Seriously, should I drop this idea?

steven_ber · Sep 2nd, 2003, 10:14

Can they be opened up easily and put back together?

If so, you may be best to check-in early and show them to customs, explaining what they are and allowing them to be inspected.

vistet · Sep 2nd, 2003, 13:49

I`ll talk to one of my workmates, hopefully later this week, who have carried a lot of medical supplies (not to India, Russia, but maybe some useful general info anyway)

Baloo · Sep 2nd, 2003, 15:49

Quote:

Originally posted by steven_ber
Can they be opened up easily and put back together?

I dont know yet, but I will definitely find out.

Quote:

Originally posted by vistet
I`ll talk to one of my workmates, hopefully later this week, who have carried a lot of medical supplies (not to India, Russia, but maybe some useful general info anyway)

Thanks a lot vistet for your commitment in this "case". I am eager to hear what he/she says.
Are you working as a doctor? Just curious....

pooch · Oct 3rd, 2003, 01:07

Whatever you do, don't take EL AL with those instruments.

turlapati · Oct 3rd, 2003, 02:47

We always take similar instruments with us. Bp monitors, nebulizers, stethescopes, otoscopes. Never had any trouble yet!

Baloo · Oct 3rd, 2003, 14:16

Thank you Susan for your answer!

Do you think I need some kind of signed paper describing what it is I´m bringing with me. A paper to show when checking in at the airport or passing through customs?

turlapati · Oct 3rd, 2003, 19:42

We have never had anything checked by customs.
Maybe a letter from the person donating the stuff stating its purpose wouldn't hurt. MAybe give you some peace of mind. Don't offer it though, keep it on stand-by in your pocket. Good luck.

Sep 1st, 2003, 13:13	#1
Baloo Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 11	Customs -Bringing some simple medical instruments with me. Hi! I think I have a question here that will be a challenge for you. I will go to India in mid December for a five weeks long journey. For one of these weeks I am going to visit at a project for sponsored children (I am sponsoring one of them). At the project they have a small hospital that I am also sponsoring besides my child. Now I have the opportunity to bring some simple medical instruments (for Blood Pressure Measuring, Fetal Heart Detector etc, etc) from a friend that works at a hospital in Sweden and give them to the project hospital. The instruments are old but still working properly. My question is: Is this possible without doing a hell of a lot of paperwork for passing the customs and without giving a huge amount of bakshis/bribe for the custom officials as well? Do I have to ask the Indian embassy about the line of action? The instruments are small and very simple (as I mentioned), so they could easily go down in my backpack. I will have detailed instructions/manuals for each one of them. If anyone has an answer for this question I will be really happy (and amazed!)

Oct 3rd, 2003, 02:47	#10
turlapati Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: texas Posts: 95	We always take similar instruments with us. Bp monitors, nebulizers, stethescopes, otoscopes. Never had any trouble yet! __________________ susan turlapati

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-m2- . Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: . Posts: 1,577	those would look either scary or kinky on an x-ray I think

Sep 2nd, 2003, 10:14	#6
steven_ber Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: London, England. Posts: 9,147	Can they be opened up easily and put back together? If so, you may be best to check-in early and show them to customs, explaining what they are and allowing them to be inspected.

Sep 2nd, 2003, 13:49	#7
vistet Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Umeå , Sweden Posts: 1,731	I`ll talk to one of my workmates, hopefully later this week, who have carried a lot of medical supplies (not to India, Russia, but maybe some useful general info anyway)

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Oct 3rd, 2003, 14:16	#11
Baloo Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 11	Thank you Susan for your answer! Do you think I need some kind of signed paper describing what it is I´m bringing with me. A paper to show when checking in at the airport or passing through customs?

Oct 3rd, 2003, 19:42	#12
turlapati Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: texas Posts: 95	We have never had anything checked by customs. Maybe a letter from the person donating the stuff stating its purpose wouldn't hurt. MAybe give you some peace of mind. Don't offer it though, keep it on stand-by in your pocket. Good luck.

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