Why is Garmin illegal in India? Athletes who track their sports activity with these popular devices may run into problems

From cycling to hiking, Garmin is a popular name among athletes looking for a reliable device to track their sports activities. However, the use of certain Garmin devices got two foreigners in trouble in India.

TO Canadian and a Scottish national were arrested at Indian airports within a month in two separate incidents for carrying a Garmin device. The Scottish hiker shared her ordeal in an Instagram story, claiming she was detained in Delhi airport to carry a Garmin in-Reach.

Scottish hiker arrested in Delhi for carrying Garmin device

The Scottish hiker who handles Instagram with the name ‘heather hiker‘ warned people not to travel to India with a Garmin inReach or any other satellite communicator because they are illegal.

“Finally they told me that the garmin “It was illegal here and that they were going to hand me over to the police, I called the embassy while waiting for the police and am waiting for their further guidance, however, they cannot intervene with legal procedures,” the hiker shared in the Instagram post.

Are all Garmin devices banned in India?

No, Garmin devices without satellite communication technologies can be used in India.

Which Garmin devices are illegal in India?

Garmin inReach GPS devices are not allowed in India without authorization. In December, a foreign national was arrested for carrying a Garmin Edge 540. The device is a GPS-Enabled bicycle/bike computer that tracks speed, distance and other metrics. Therefore, people should avoid using devices with built-in satellite transmitters to avoid legal repercussions.

Why are Garmin devices banned in India?

Certain Garmin devices come with built-in satellite communication technologies that allow for 100% global coverage. Many of the sports devices, especially inReach, operate on the Iridium satellite network.

According to the Garmin website, in certain countries it is mandatory to obtain prior permission or acquire a government registration code for the authorized use or activation of satellite communication. The website also added that these types of devices are banned in some countries.

India is also included in the list of countries where the use of these devices is regulated. Therefore, people who plan to buy a Garmin device for their workouts or sports should make sure that it does not work with satellite communication technologies.

Indian statement on the use of satellite devices by travelers

The use of a device with a built-in satellite transmitter is considered to violate the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933. According to Section 4 of the Act, “No person shall possess wireless telegraphy apparatus except under and in accordance with a license issued under this Law.”

“Prohibition of use of satellite phones in India Travelers to India are advised that the use/carrying of satellite phones by foreign nationals (regardless of passport category) without prior approval is illegal/unauthorized. Satellite phones of travelers carrying them without permission will be confiscated and the owner will be prosecuted under Indian laws. Travelers are therefore advised not to bring satellite phones into India without prior permission,” read a statement from the Indian Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands.