As the title says, do you need a customs permit to bring in a rifle scope? I'm travelling to the States early next year and am thinking of getting a little scope for my air rifle but don't really want to upset the authorities of either countries or have the **** thing confiscated.

As the title says, do you need a customs permit to bring in a rifle scope? I'm travelling to the States early next year and am thinking of getting a little scope for my air rifle but don't really want to upset the authorities of either countries or have the **** thing confiscated.

Best to check this one out with your Customs office before leaving home. I don't think you will run into any problems here in the States.

Exporting scopes from the USA to Canada is difficult. Sniper equipment, you know. It's best you check out the American regs very carefully.

Bye
Jack

I talked to a licenced dealer I shoot with about importing some sights for my rifle by post, he told me getting them out of the USA was not a problem and getting them into Aus would be easy as long as you dont mention guns,firearms etc.
So when you declare your scope describe it as a telescope, or magnified visual aid etc.
Mind you in my case it was aussie post that was the problem, not customs. If you plan to bring the scope in with you there probably wont be a problem as scopes are not a prohibited item here (yet).

Ok, thanks GDU, think I'll make some enquiries before I go shopping. Mind you, all I need the scope for is a base model Diana .117 so it's not like I'm going to be bringing back something for a .50cal Barrett...then again, from experience (being a part of the paintballing community), not many Customs officers have a sense of humour.

IIRC any scope over a very low magnification needs an export permit from the US. I forget the exact number but I'm sure it's below 4x.

Hi guys,
Have imported a number of scopes in to Australia from this end and never had a problem. I have brought them either from private buyers or direct from suppliers and never had a problem with doing it.
I have always asked that they mark them as "returned from repair" ( Leupold are excellent for this - they will write exactly what you want on the package - just takes a fax or email to explain it to them)
Aust. Customs treat it as a repaired unit previously owned by you and not subject to import tax - I have never had to produce proof of initial purchase or outgoing postage.
Because i tend to buy mainly Leupold scopes I have a number of times asked the US seller to send it to Leupold first, i there have it fitted with Target turrets or new reticle or have it factory checked ( they generally do a health check for free ) and they then forward it to me as "returned from repair"
System works for me so far :D

hey fellas,
yeah ive bought a scope over internet and had it mailed over here. abs no worries. but then again why should there ever be. i cant understand the canadian system then with not liking them being inported. its the same as buying cleaning patches or something, as scopes and cleaning patches are all required for operation of a firearm. just restrict ammo and firearms not scopes and other accessories please. everything else is already difficult enough.
gonna go get me a shottie in the next week or two! :D
happy hunting.
lockie