Ebay scopes

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biggerair

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I might buy a scope off of ebay, and of course everything I looked at was located in the US. When I asked about shipping up to Canada they said no problem.
Is this bull$#!T ....? I think it is, and that I would need to do the export/import paperwork. Have any of you guys ordered optics off of ebay ?
 
biggerair said:
I might buy a scope off of ebay, and of course everything I looked at was located in the US. When I asked about shipping up to Canada they said no problem.
Is this bull$#!T ....? I think it is, and that I would need to do the export/import paperwork. Have any of you guys ordered optics off of ebay ?
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Did you read the stickies about this? They are pretty informative and quite clear.
 
Doesn't anyone read the stickies about exporting controlled goods from the US?
Midway got fined almost half a million dollars for exporting scopes without export licences.
Unless your US supplier obtained an export permit, they are breaking US federal law.
Naming the supplier on a public forum like this could be a really good way to get the seller prosecuted.
 
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How often has this question been asked and the answer is still NO, it's Illegal to EXPORT without a permit.

It does happen, but I wouldn't want to get caught :mad::mad:
 
Instead of thinking a "sticky" was gospel, I contacted the border and talked to an agent.
He said if the scope is made outside North America then a 4.5% duty applies
If the scope is made in North America then only appicable taxes apply.
No permits, no documents, nada , nothing.
Dont beleve me, call them yourself. He said no info would be posted on the website and that you would need to talk to an agent to find out this information.
I am still going to talk to a broker before I think that this is also "gospel"
 
Importing

biggerair said:
Instead of thinking a "sticky" was gospel, I contacted the border and talked to an agent.
He said if the scope is made outside North America then a 4.5% duty applies
If the scope is made in North America then only appicable taxes apply.
No permits, no documents, nada , nothing.
Dont beleve me, call them yourself. He said no info would be posted on the website and that you would need to talk to an agent to find out this information.
I am still going to talk to a broker before I think that this is also "gospel"
Click to expand...

The issue isn't Canadian law it is US law. You're right, all Canada wants is their tax but US law prohibits export of certain things that could supposedly be of use to terrorists unless they issue an export permit for it.

Having said that, many small E-Bay stores and private individuals will ship to Canada either in ignorance or the belief that they can fly under the radar. I bought a scope from an E-Bay store last year, its final cost was under $100 and it came thru without problems other than very slow shipment.
 
Check the Leupold home page. There a BIG statement right on the first page about the US law!!!

Also in there is a notice about BOGUS scopes being flogged via online vendors
 
tiriaq said:
Doesn't anyone read the stickies about exporting controlled goods from the US?
Midway got fined almost half a million dollars for exporting scopes without export licences.
Unless your US supplier obtained an export permit, they are breaking US federal law.
Naming the supplier on a public forum like this could be a really good way to get the seller prosecuted.
Click to expand...

ITT got fined a $1000000 for export NVG without the proper paper work. Remember boys and girl Washington DOES monitor this wedsite. So I don't know why people kept discussing this on a open forum. Beside the ATF now have field offices in T.O and Vancouver. If they want to be dicks they will send the RCMP after you. It has happened in BC regarding some EOtechs.
 
The broker said the following.

You must comply with US laws with the US department of Commerce to apply for an " Export permit for Telescopic sights" for shotguns of 18" or more.
To apply for an export permit you will require an "International Import Certificate" from our Canadian Government.
(Department or Foreign Affairs and International trade) which is free.
This can take 3 weeks, Once you get the permit you send the original to the individual that is handling the export arrangements so that they can include it in their application for an export permit.
So if I had ordered a scope online based on what the border agent told me about importing a scope and got caught I could have been fined.
I can see this being a honest mistake made by people,
 
Dept of commerce only controls shotguns. All others are BATF, and yes it is not allowed. If it a firearms related piece of eqiupment then there are inumerable pieces of legislation you have to comply with. Not just the dept of commerce. It is against US laws for a US company or citizen to ship scopes telescopic or otherwise to us. Just because you got away with it doesn't mean that it's ok. Lots of people speed and smoke dope with out getting caught and it's still illegal.

This sight is very specific on asking members to obey the laws of both Canada and the US with inport and export.

If you read the sticky's carefully you will see that doing this is at your own risk and advertising the fact on a open monitored internet forum is just plain dumb.

Sosa
 
Sosa said:
Dept of commerce only controls shotguns. All others are BATF, and yes it is not allowed.
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This info is incorrect.

The U.S. Commerce Dept controls shotgun,shotgun parts, AND firearm optics,sights, and mounts.

The BATF only deals with internal U.S. matters regarding firearms and not exports.

Sosa said:
If it a firearms related piece of eqiupment then there are inumerable pieces of legislation you have to comply with. Not just the dept of commerce. It is against US laws for a US company or citizen to ship scopes telescopic or otherwise to us. Just because you got away with it doesn't mean that it's ok. Lots of people speed and smoke dope with out getting caught and it's still illegal.


Sosa
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The last statement is well said.

I will be removing all posts relating Illegal export from the U.S.

SKBY.
 
biggerair said:
Instead of thinking a "sticky" was gospel, I contacted the border and talked to an agent.
He said if the scope is made outside North America then a 4.5% duty applies
If the scope is made in North America then only appicable taxes apply.
No permits, no documents, nada , nothing.
Dont beleve me, call them yourself. He said no info would be posted on the website and that you would need to talk to an agent to find out this information.
I am still going to talk to a broker before I think that this is also "gospel"
Click to expand...

For the millionth time, customs has nothing to do with this.................It is the U.S. Dept of Commerce that controls the export of Firearms optics.

As a refresher, Canada Customs is NOT the problem and probably does not know what is required by U.S. Law.Basically they just collect the duties/taxes and don't care as long as the items are not illegal in Canada.

A "Broker" may or may not know what the U.S. Regulations are pertaining to firearms and their parts/accessories.

Contact the U.S. Commerce Dept. directly for the definitive answer.

SKBY.
 
Steeleco said:
How often has this question been asked and the answer is still NO, it's Illegal to EXPORT without a permit.

It does happen, but I wouldn't want to get caught :mad::mad:
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But the guy asked about BUYING from Ebay, why should he care if the seller has an export permit or not ? Maybe the seller have that permit, it is his business to make sure he is not illegal.
I bought stuff from Ebay from sellers based in US but the items were shipped from China or Hong Kong.
 
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mosteaka said:
But the guy asked about BUYING from Ebay, why should he care if the seller has an export permit or not ? Maybe the seller have that permit, it is his business to make sure he is not illegal.
I bought stuff from Ebay from sellers based in US but the items were shipped from China or Hong Kong.
Click to expand...

Wrong and absolute BS. It is both parties responsibilty to ensure everything is legit. Why is this so hard to understand?
 
mosteaka said:
But the guy asked about BUYING from Ebay, why should he care if the seller has an export permit or not ? Maybe the seller have that permit, it is his business to make sure he is not illegal.
Click to expand...


In order for the seller to get the export permit, he has to have recieved a Canadian import permit from the buyer.

The onus is on both parties to ensure the laws of both countries are obeyed.

The penalty for the U.S .seller can be quite severe, and the buyer may have his goods siezed by the U.S. authorites, and end up being red flagged by the U.S. for future visits or purchases.

mosteaka said:
I bought stuff from Ebay from sellers based in US but the items were shipped from China or Hong Kong.
Click to expand...

As long as the items you bought did not get shipped from the U.S.you are good to go.

SKBY.
 
Then how can I make sure the seller has an export permit, or how do I even know that the merchandise in question requires an export permit ?
 
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