I really confirm, you won’t have any problem traveling to any EU country with a radio; i have travelled with my radio (Elecraft Kx3 or Qrp Labs QMX) with antennas (wire) and battery to a lot of country by plane or car, with no problem
73 And IW0HK
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I wonder if that exemption applies if you did not build the equipment yourself, but bought it from a company that commercially assembles kits but does not then get the equipment EU approved?
I think this might be a very grey area.
(I am not a lawyer, I’m just expressing my thoughts - which could be completely wrong - they often are).
73 Ed.
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While more to carry, sounds like I might be better off taking my KX2. I need to amend an earlier statement – that radio does have a CE sticker (CE [5 digit #]).
Thanks to everyone for the input. I learned a lot!
73 Paula k9ir
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Hi Paula,
Like many others here I’ve flown with radio gear around Europe from the UK on many occasions.
I haven’t even thought about CE marking!
I have the radio(s) and batteries (terminals taped up) in my hand luggage, with a copy of the IATA doc on transport of batteries.
The mast and wire antennas go in my hold baggage.
I’ve had a few very casual “what’s that” enquiries at security going onto a plane. As with Fraser, it then all sometimes gets swabbed for explosive residue.
Nothing at all from Customs coming off.
Happy travels.
73
Gerald
MW0WML (Currently En France as F/MW0WML/P)
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What do you think “modified” could mean ?
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Hi Paula,
I just went to Italy in April. My KX2 in my checked in bag, with a copy of my license on top of the radio. My Li-ons were in my carry-on, with another copy of my license and CEPT Agreement. I was never asked. Our check-in bags had TSA brochures in them, so someone may have looked at my KX2. It’s really no big deal. Have a great time over there and drink some good vino 
Ciao!
Ron K6CPR
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I will be bringing my KH1 to Scotland on Monday. Flying out tomorrow ( Sunday). I’ll let you know. Flying through LHR. Last time there I had to take out my KX2 and show them. No big deal. Been bringing radio’s to EU since 2017.
Listen for me on the air. MM/NK6A/P
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OK with self-built or self-modified. My reference was to a dealer building the kit up to a full commercial product and then selling it without CE approval. That is perhaps not 100% correct - perhaps the tuning knob should be left off, to be pushed on by the customer and then it becomes “Ham assembled”?
Coming back to Paula’s original question of travelling to Italy with a non-CE approved KH-1 - while we all say, “it’ll be OK, no one checks” - the one time some new inspector does check, the holiday is spoilt, hence bringing the KX-2 that does have CE approval is probably (IMHO) a better option.
73 Ed.
.
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And the dealer in this case is a ham selling to hams fits “modified by and for the use of radio amateurs”. But I agree it only needs someone at screening to be keen to spoil the holiday.
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I am currently in Italy having flown from the UK. My QCX mini, cables and antenna were in hold luggage with a copy of my licence. I carried my batteries in hand luggage. The batteries were swabbed at UK security but there were no questions or examination of labels.
My understanding is that a CE mark is required to sell a product in the EU or UK. I am not sure that there is any obligation to have a CE mark on everything that we own or use as consumers.
I have flown in and out of Italy with radio equipment before and experienced no problems.
Cynically I suspect that Airport security do the minimum possible to comply with the regulations, with the priority being to keep costs down for the airport.
I think that you are highly unlikely to have any problems in Italy.
Have a great holiday.
73 DE I/M0KXN
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Only on items which come under CE marking directives and sold after the directive applicable came into force.
- Machinery Directive
- Low Voltage Directive
- EMC Directive
- Medical Devices Regulation
- Personal Protective Equipment Regulation
- Construction Products Regulation 305/2011
- Pressure Equipment Directive
- REACH Regulation
- Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS)
- ATEX Directive
- Toys Safety Directive (2009/48/EC)
- Radio Equipment Directive
- Recreational Craft and Personal Watercraft Directive
- Active Implantable Medical Devices Directive
- Explosive for Civil Use (CIVEX) Directive
- Noise Emission Directive
- Gas Appliances Directive 2009/142/EEC
- Lifts Directive 1995/16/EC
- Pyrotechnic Directive 2013/29/EU
- Measuring Instruments Directive
- Ecodesign and Energy Efficiency Labelling
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Thanks Andy,
I can rest easy with my QCX mini.
Which Products Are Not Covered By The Radio Equipment Directive (2014/53/EU)?
The Directive does not apply to apparatus exclusively used for activities concerning public security, defense, State security and the activities of the State in the area of criminal law; nor does it apply to:
radio equipment used by radio amateurs, except when it is commercially available fully assembled;
…
My impression remains that we are unlikely to encounter problems in Italy.
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If I understood that correctly then this is for transport/parcel shipment of batteries and cells.
For bringing them along on board as personal items this does not apply. An it is just impractical. Tell people to discharge phones, tablets, powerbanks and so on to below 30 % ? It would just be impossible to execute.
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Hi Joe,
This point has already been clarified in this thread - the regulations are for commercial bulk shipments of Lithium batteries.
73 Ed.
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I flew to Italy (Sardinia) in April and brought a KH1, KX2, Yaesu HT, SOTABEAMS Carbon-6 and the accessories in my little carry on backpack (underseat) with no difficulties. I think I did take the Elecraft radios out of the backpack going through security, but left them in their cases. Haven’t needed them yet but I do have laminated copies of the CEPT agreement in several languages in the backpack also.
Enjoy your trip!
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