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Shipped a riflescope to Europe - stuck in customs

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Buller View Drop Down
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    Posted: May/30/2010 at 13:02
Hi,

I dont hunt and dont have firearms myself. Ive purchased a riflescope for a friend in Finland and had it shipped to Finland, reason it was 60% cheaper here. Today I noticed that the package, had been moved to US Customs.

Ive now found out that the it is illegal to ship riflescopes abroad, or its not illegal, but you need a license. I dident know this, especially when you can buy exact the same scopes in Europe.

Anyone has any experience of this, what will happen?

/Thanks
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Urimaginaryfrnd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2010 at 13:26
Behead    Did you somehow forget we are at WAR.   Have you ever heard the term "Ignorance of the law is no excuse".  At this point they are probably deciding if you and your friend in Finland have ties to or are are selling to terrorist. 

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2010 at 13:45
It has everything to do with import export tariffs. Especially as it pertains to anything firearms related. The war against terror is a part of the equation. The larger part is the economic games. Try shipping alcohol, or tobacco. The result will be the same. But you can ship homemade cookies.....
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cyborg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2010 at 13:47
Oh... The result will probably be fines levied. Maybe a watchlist. Keep us posted.
At any rate. Welcome to Optics Talk.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kickboxer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2010 at 14:10
Originally posted by cyborg cyborg wrote:

It has everything to do with import export tariffs. Especially as it pertains to anything firearms related. The war against terror is a part of the equation. The larger part is the economic games. Try shipping alcohol, or tobacco. The result will be the same. But you can ship homemade cookies.....
OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES...
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote neilbilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2010 at 23:23

OUCH!  That does suck. 

I seriously doubt they throw you in the pokey, but I'd wager the scope will be seized or disappear. 

I ordered my wife clove cigarettes from Indonesia a week before Obama gave the FDA the right to ban imports of flavored cigs. Little did I know it was Ramadan over there and they didn't ship till the law was enacted. We waited 3 months and finally they showed up. They were in customs for 3 months. 


Keep us posted, if needed we'll bake a cake and put a file in it. 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote pyro6999 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/30/2010 at 23:35
hey maybe we will see you on the evening news!!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/31/2010 at 04:21
If you are a USA citizen in the USA it is not about customs, but about a ban on export the USA has placed on certain optics and firearms etc. All to do about the war on terrorism.
 
Check with any dealer, including SWFA and you will see, even with the correct documentation and custom clearance, they cannot ship a scope to a private individual living outside of the USA.
 
And yes, the same scope may be freely availble in the country of import.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Teddy Bear Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/31/2010 at 07:34
I get a friend to bring riflescopes across the border when he goes to the U.S on business.  Just cross my fingers and hope for the best.  To me its worth the risk of a fine,compared to the $$ I save getting them from the U.S.  My low end Leupold VXll sells here for $500 and my Nikon Monarch for $835.  I've saved almost $500 just on these 2 scopes and the exchange rate is only making it more worthwhile.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bugsNbows Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/31/2010 at 08:59
Teddy Bear, I'd certainly not be posting that info!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote calinb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/31/2010 at 12:14
Originally posted by Urimaginaryfrnd Urimaginaryfrnd wrote:

Behead    Did you somehow forget we are at WAR.   Have you ever heard the term "Ignorance of the law is no excuse".  At this point they are probably deciding if you and your friend in Finland have ties to or are are selling to terrorist. 
Everyone is ignorant of the law.  I've read estimates from several sources that the average U.S. citizen breaks several laws per day though ignorance.  There are simply too many laws, which make us all criminals.  Here's what former U.S. Attorney General, Edwin Meese  has to say:

If “ignorance of the law is no excuse,” then every American citizen — literally, every single one — is ignorant and in peril, for nobody can know all the laws that govern their behavior.

http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/CT_meese26_05-26-10_K5IAV9I_v10.3d3eda1.html
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/31/2010 at 15:08
Originally posted by calimd
(If “ignorance of the law is no excuse,” then every American citizen — literally, every single one — is ignorant and in peril, for nobody can know all the laws that govern their behavior.)

1. This is correct.
2. This is the reason to fear the unrestrained Government.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ed Connelly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: May/31/2010 at 16:24
That is so true.....I believe in some states it is illegal to eat ice cream with a frog in your pocket..........Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jon A Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/03/2010 at 04:06
Does anybody know where I can read this law?  I'm wondering if it applies to scope mounts as well.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 8shots Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/03/2010 at 06:48
Yes it does. I have tried to get mounts, optics etc out a while ago. No dealer would ship to a foreign address.
You also have to pay with a local credit card. So you cannot pay for it outside USA, ship it to a resident buddy and get him to post it etc.
The only way is to have some-one buy it stateside and bring it out on a visit as for his own use.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HuntMaster Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: June/03/2010 at 21:42
Check out the Dept of Homeland Security's website and find the U.S. Customs site.
It is not illegal to ship optics overseas to have them repaired, but to sell or supply is another ballgame. 
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