Buying a scope from the US

CH_Tiger_14

CH_Tiger_14

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Someone just filled me in (very, very briefly) on some of the new hoops we have to jump through to get a scope brought in from the US as of May 15. He wasn't completely up to speed on all the requirements, so can someone fill me in?

My first thoughts were:

A) completely rediculous
B) completely useless
C) this is gonna put a stop to the great deals I've found on eBay
 
I didn't realize there even was restrictions untill yesterday. I bought a Burris scope off ebay last week from the US. I wonder whats going to happen at the border. The seller said nothing to me about preparing it for customs.
What should I do?? I'm I going to get screwed now?


I also don't understand the purpose of this. Since anybody can go into a sporting store in canada and buy a scope. A 5yr old kid could do it. Why do law bidding citizens have to jump through hoops just because its coming from another country.
 
It is not Canadian customs that has a problem with scopes coming into Canada from the US. It is the US State Dept. that has decided that such "technology" is military in origin and therefore requiring an export permit to leave the US.
So, nothing really happens at the border unless for some reason US customs gets a hold of the package.

You may still get the scope in the mail, just be aware that it was illegally exported out of the USA.

Crazy.... But those are the rules.
 
Bush Man said:
I didn't realize there even was restrictions untill yesterday. I bought a Burris scope off ebay last week from the US. I wonder whats going to happen at the border. The seller said nothing to me about preparing it for customs.
What should I do?? I'm I going to get screwed now?


I also don't understand the purpose of this. Since anybody can go into a sporting store in canada and buy a scope. A 5yr old kid could do it. Why do law bidding citizens have to jump through hoops just because its coming from another country.
Click to expand...

As was mentioned above, it is the US that is restricting their export. Canada has nothing to do with it. If the scope makes it past US Customs you are fine. However, it is still illegal. Hopefully you receive your shipment though. It would suck to pay the money and have it tied up in customs forever!!
 
Not sure which part is new, but apparantly something changes (changed) on the 15th. In the last 2 years, I've bought several scopes from the US through eBay and had absolutely no issues whatsoever. I might try it again to test the waters if I win a bid on a cheapie scope that won't cost me a lot of $$ if it gets permanently lost at the border. If this passes, I may try my luck on a more expensive one -- some of the deals are just too good to pass up.
 
Want to hear a good one?
A scope mount for an SKS is prohibited for export from the U.S.
An AK-47 magazine is OK, you can order a thousand of them if you desire.
Scope rings (Weaver mounts) are a no-no for export.

Empty brass casings are prohibited. I imagine some enterprising terrorist could make a nuke out of empty .45ACP brass filled with twinkie cream.! Canada does not have exclusivity on stupid politicians.
 
From experience I know that scopes purchased through any American retailer and shipped by mail WILL NOT make it through customs. But the US Dept of Commerce does not have a problem with driving across the border and purchasing a scope....driving back and declaring it/paying tax and duty. Back in 2003 there was a problem with MilDot reticles coming across, but the last scope I purchased at a shop in Maine had MilDots and there was no problem at the border.
 
IIRC, one of the large US mail order companies was fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for exporting scopes without the necessary export permits from the US Dept. of Commerce. Doubt that it makes any legal difference if you pick one up and drive back with it, or if the scope is being purchased from an eBay seller. If the attempt to export is noticed on the US side of the line, the individual or company could be in for a world of hurt.
Of course packages come through all the time. Just because they are not intercepted on the US side doesn't make it legal.
 
You might be a bit behind if you think that this just happened as of May 15th. ;) I don't recommend you buy scopes state side (from eBay) if you value your cash.
 
Scopes

This has been discussed several times.The bottom line is that if you are checked by US Customs while returning to Canada(and they DO random checks),and you are in possesion of restricted export items(scopes are restricted by ATF,not State) without export permits,you are in trouble.You will lose your scope and my be subject to further penalties.If your Ebay package is checked you will lose your scope,and your name may go on the border watch list.You pay your money and take your chances.This is US law and they are not taking violations lightly!Good luck! Mur.
 
souwest_ghillie said:
But the US Dept of Commerce does not have a problem with driving across the border and purchasing a scope....driving back and declaring it/paying tax and duty.
Click to expand...
WRONG!!!!!

The U.S. Commerce Dept controls all firearms related optics/sights and requires U.S. Export permits for ALL firearms optics that are being taken out of the U.S. The Commerce Dept has NO exemptions.

It Doesn't matter if you are going to the U.S. and buying it in person and transporting it back yourself, you are still required to have a valid U.S. Export permit to take that scope out of the U.S.

If you are stopped by the U.S. authorities in possession of, or taking restricted items out of the U.S. without the proper U.S permits you will have the items seized and confiscated, possibly be jailed for up to 30 days without being charged, have your vehicle seized (maybe permanently), and have yourself "flagged" for any future U.S. visits.

Is saving a few dollars really worth the risk?????:eek:

The current restrictions on firearms optics have been in place for quite a few years, but 9/11 made the U.S. Government clamp down on enforcing these regulations.

Those of you who are posting that you repeatedly violated U.S . export regulations by purchasing scopes ( From E-bay for example) without the proper U.S . paperwork will cease posting about your purchases in this public forum. If you insist posting about how you are breaking U.S. Law, you will be removed from this site.

SKBY.
 
typical Government beurocracy-especially when you consider the scope was likely manufactured offshore-and imported INTO the US....
 
Skullboy said:


Those of you who are posting that you repeatedly violated U.S . export regulations by purchasing scopes ( From E-bay for example) without the proper U.S . paperwork will cease posting about your purchases in this public forum. If you insist posting about how you are breaking U.S. Law, you will be removed from this site.

SKBY.
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Click to expand...
I didn't mean to start something here, I'm just trying to solve my delema.

Yes I purchased a scope an "illegal" way. I had no idea of the rules untill I joined this site last week. I am only trying to find out if it will get here. So I like to hear of people that actually did get their scopes.
I don't condone what I have done. Definitly risky in losing your scope or getting in trouble.
Sorry for making this thread break any forum rules.
 
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