bringing back a scope from the USA to Canada

mithrandir

mithrandir

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Can someone point me to some reference material or provide me some guidance on what to and what NOT to buy while visiting the States?

Ideally, I can just go to a shop, buy a scope and then pack it into my suitcase. Provided it is within the Canada Duty Limits for my stay, I should be ok, right? Or am I missing something that will get me into a heap of trouble?

just trying to do the right thing.
 
Hi - I have spoken to the ATF and have a copy of their regulations - the reference is:

Page 103, ATF 5300.4
Title 27
CFR Chapter 2
44721
US Munitions Import List, Category 3

Basically anything that attaches to a firearm is open to interpretation.

Thankfully you are wise to want to check first. My gunsmiths friend was recently arrested for having a tin of black powder he was bringing back by car. He was followed from Cabelas surrounded by 4 cars and his car was seized and he willl be going to court at some point. He has also been told he will automatically be banned from entry to the US for several years.

Handloading equipment, is expressly identified in the ATF regulations as exempt from restriction ( i.e.hand tools - press / dies )

Some think it is the border agents who check / track people, but in fact it is homeland security who set up random checkpoints BEFORE you reach the crossing.

Having said all of that, check with retailers in the US online as many do have export permits and may ship direct to you.


mithrandir said:
Can someone point me to some reference material or provide me some guidance on what to and what NOT to buy while visiting the States?

Ideally, I can just go to a shop, buy a scope and then pack it into my suitcase. Provided it is within the Canada Duty Limits for my stay, I should be ok, right? Or am I missing something that will get me into a heap of trouble?

just trying to do the right thing.
Click to expand...
 
rmcda said:
Basically anything that attaches to a firearm is open to interpretation.

Thankfully you are wise to want to check first. My gunsmiths friend was recently arrested for having a tin of black powder he was bringing back by car. He was followed from Cabelas surrounded by 4 cars and his car was seized and he willl be going to court at some point. He has also been told he will automatically be banned from entry to the US for several years.


Some think it is the border agents who check / track people, but in fact it is homeland security who set up random checkpoints BEFORE you reach the crossing.
Click to expand...

Yes, very open to interpretation. As far as Canada goes....no issue at all....as far as the U.S. goes.....hard to get a straight answer. I wouldn't do it without proper export permit.

U.S. Customs now falls under Homeland Security. It's the same old border agents doing the random export checks....they just fall under Homeland now.
 
Sheephunter.. what surprised and concerned me, regarding the information about a recent arrest / seizure, was that the person had bought at Cabelas in Washington State, left, decided to go for a bite to eat, and was surrounded by four vehicles, flashing lights, sirens and all. I expect activity near the border, but given what happened, one has to assume that he was watched buying the products, followed, identified ( licence plate?) as Canadian and then stopped. This all happened over an hours drive from the nearest border crossing.....
 
And the other concern is whether the CBSA will drop the dime to their US counterparts. I had this happen a few years ago while legally exporting some blank ammo for a movie we were working on. I was asked anything to declare? Answered "yes" 30000 round of blank ammo, the CBSA broad said wait a minute, closed her window and picked up the phone. 2 minutes later I was surrounded by US Border Protection agents, guns drawn.
Fortunately the lead US agent realized I had spoken with him just minutes prior, he checked my paperwork again and all went well, however.........

OP Most scopes are covered by ITAR, so best to shop at home.
 
rmcda said:
Sheephunter.. what surprised and concerned me, regarding the information about a recent arrest / seizure, was that the person had bought at Cabelas in Washington State, left, decided to go for a bite to eat, and was surrounded by four vehicles, flashing lights, sirens and all. I expect activity near the border, but given what happened, one has to assume that he was watched buying the products, followed, identified ( licence plate?) as Canadian and then stopped. This all happened over an hours drive from the nearest border crossing.....
Click to expand...

Ya, not the first I've heard of this.
 
rmcda said:
Handloading equipment, is expressly identified in the ATF regulations as exempt from restriction ( i.e.hand tools - press / dies )
Click to expand...

To the OP / other onlookers - be aware that cartridge components, such as brass, bullets, primers and powders, are NOT exempt and may not be brought out of the USA into Canada without a proper US export permit (which if you have to ask about, no, you don't have one).
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
And the other concern is whether the CBSA will drop the dime to their US counterparts.
Click to expand...

We were actually sent back to the U.S. side once by our fellow Canadian countrymen because the CBSA agent figured we didn't have a proper U.S. export permit.....so yes, it definitely does happen.
 
rmcda said:
Sheephunter.. what surprised and concerned me, regarding the information about a recent arrest / seizure, was that the person had bought at Cabelas in Washington State, left, decided to go for a bite to eat, and was surrounded by four vehicles, flashing lights, sirens and all. I expect activity near the border, but given what happened, one has to assume that he was watched buying the products, followed, identified ( licence plate?) as Canadian and then stopped. This all happened over an hours drive from the nearest border crossing.....
Click to expand...

I don't understand. What law was broken if he did not cross the border? On deer hunting trips to PA I can recall several times being asked by our hosts to pick up a few things at the sporting goods store.
 
looch said:
I don't understand. What law was broken if he did not cross the border? On deer hunting trips to PA I can recall several times being asked by our hosts to pick up a few things at the sporting goods store.
Click to expand...

A Canadian in the US can not possess gun powder, bullets, brass, primers, ammunition, or firearms unless they have the proper US paperwork in hand.... and there are hundreds of controlled items which can not be exported from the US without import/export paperwork in hand.
 
reading through this... just damn crazy. who knew some fancy marked glass in a tube could potentially create a #### storm.

was it Tacitus from ancient rome that said, "Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges." Translation: The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government. But I digress.

yes. Thank you all for the sage advice. I will check out stuff in the stores, and order online from those that can ship to canada or just buy local (the preferred option).
 
Bringing the scope into canada isnt the problem... its the u.s. export laws. So if you're driving back into canada, you get checked by the canadians... would this be a problem?
 
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A scope doesnt attach to a firearm. It is attached to rings. The rings then attach to a rail. The rail then attaches to the firearm. Tell them that with a cheeky grin at the spot check.
 
scaleguy said:
Bringing the scope into canada isnt the problem... its the u.s. export laws. So if you're driving back into canada, you get checked by the canadians... shouldnt be any problem. Ive done it, didnt declare it though. I really wouldnt be worried about it.
Click to expand...

So would YOU be willing to cover the legal expenses, fines and lost income for someone following this really bad advise?
You ARE promoting someone else to break US laws and openly admit to smuggling. You SHOULD worry about the consequences, they can be REAL harsh!
 
Sorry for the Small Hijack,

My buddy is heading to florida I was going to get hom to pick me up a rangefinder.

Could that be Trouble?

Thank you
 
To the OP, Phrophet River can help you with the importation for $50.00, send me a Pm I can tell you my story.LOL
Rangefinder I believed is an ITAR, so no handcarry from the U.S
 
One thing that is automatic if caught smuggling ITAR items out of the US is a ban on entering the US for between 5 years to life. It also means automatically being placed on the no-fly list, typically for life, because it's almost impossible to get your name off the list. Being on the no-fly list also means you can't overfly US territory, even if you don't land. So going to the Caribbean or Mexico means flying via Europe....
 
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