Haiti Drone Laws in 2023 (Ultimate Guide)

Updated in 2023 by Paul Posea

400ft max height

Within 50m from the drone owner

Prohibited during night

Within visual sight

The tropical land of Haiti is home to part of the Island of Hispaniola. Haiti is the land of small, beautiful islands and grand historical remnants. Major tourist attractions in Haiti include Citadelle la Ferriere, an ancient mountain top fortress, and the remains of the ancient Sans Souci Palace, the royal residence of King Henry I.

If you fly a drone and want to visit Haiti for picturesque coverage, make sure you are well aware of the drone laws in Haiti. Although there is not much to learn as the country of Haiti has no particular laws and regulations for flying a drone in its surroundings.

Still, we have tried to display as much information as we could, for tourists who are interested in flying their drones in the air of Haiti.

Are Drones Legal to Fly in The Republic of Haiti?

First things First! Are you legally allowed to fly drones in the airs of Haiti or not? So far I have not come across any drone laws in Haiti. If for any reason one surface, please feel free to inform us at dronesgator. However, no laws certainly don’t mean that you are free to fly your drone in Haiti.

Based on prior experience we can say, when there are no laws in a country about drones it's never a good sign. Often than not, the chances of confiscation at the airport are high. There is a good chance that authorities are against the flying of drones in Haiti which can cause custom clearance issues for tourists.

Due to the absence of any particular laws, customs officials might choose to confiscate drones while on clearance. However, whether it happens or not will only be confirmed once you reach Haiti with your drone,

What are the Governing Authorities for Drone Regulation in The Republic of Haiti?

As of March 2022, there are two organizations that are authorized for drone regulations in Haiti:

National Office of Civil Aviation (OFNAC)- It is responsible for the execution and implementation of civil aviation policies in The Republic of Haiti.
Haiti Civil Aviation Steering Committee (CASC)- It is a collaboration between the government of Haiti and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

You can check recent updates by the office by using the given contact number, Phone:(+509)2500052.

Why should I Follow ICAO Laws When a Country has no Drone Laws?

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that supports air transportation in all countries that are a member of the Chicago Convention.

ICAO provides a standard set of rules to all its members related to air transportation. This means that most countries that don’t have proper drone rules are supported by ICAO for the formulation and endorsement of rules.

As Haiti is also a member of the Chicago convention, therefore ICAO rules also stand true for the aviation operations in The Republic of Haiti.

General Drone Laws in The Republic of Haiti

In absence of any explicit updates, we suggest you follow the general rules for flying a drone in Haiti (Last Updated: 2019).

These rules are devised per the recommendations of the Internation Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Always consult the updated rules and regulations by the Civil Aviation Authority in a country or a state, before flying a drone, to avoid any penalties.
Make sure to operate your drone within a visual line of sight i.e. below or at a height of 400 ft.
Drone operation of any kind is restricted within 50 meters of a person. It is strictly prohibited that a drone is operated over personal property, without consent.
Drone operations of any kind are prohibited during the night to avoid any accidents.
While operating a drone, maintain the speed at 100 mph to keep the flight under control and avoid any accidents.
If your recreational drone, i.e. a drone flown for fun or as a hobby, weighs more than 55 lbs (25 kg), most of the states in the USA require a permit, before allowing the drone operation.
Similarly, in the case of a commercial drone, i.e. a drone flown for official purposes, a permit is required if it weighs more than 55lbs (25kg).

How do I Get a Permit for My Drone in The Republic of Haiti?

Currently, there is no information available on the official website about obtaining a permit for your drone in Haiti.

It is recommended to call the Office of Civil Aviation on the aforementioned contact number to stay updated about the registration protocol.

However according to the general rules followed around the globe, you need to fill out an application form on the online portal and apply for a permit.

The form mainly contains questions related to personal information, like name, mailing address and phone number, etc.

General Rules for Flying a Drone Near an Airport:

These rules are devised by the International Civil Organization (ICAO), Last updated in 2019.

No drone operation, whether commercial or recreational is allowed within a 5-mile (8 km) radius of an airport.
All drones are restricted to hinder the path of commercial flights, in any way. Doing so is considered criminal negligence and can result in civil penalties.
Drones are not allowed to come in the way of any rescue operations.
In case you live within the vicinity of a local airport, make sure to contact the local airport control room and decide on a mutual operation protocol to avoid any accidents.

Do I Need to Get my Drone Insured Before Flying in The Republic of Haiti?

Many countries require getting your drone insured before operating it within their vicinity. However, Haiti has no such rules.

Currently, there is no information available related to insurance requirements and manuals on the official website of Haiti.

However, it is recommended to get your drone insured, wherever you fly. This can help in covering any damages to your drone.

Can I Travel Carrying a Drone to The Republic of Haiti?

Generally, the local airlines have strict protocols if you are traveling with a drone. Some of these include:

The batteries of the drone are detached.
Limited battery voltage as per recommendations of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

However, as of now, no such information is available on the official site of Haiti and we recommend calling your airline and Haiti’s Office of Civil Aviation (OCA) beforehand to avoid any inconvenience.