Exporting Riflescopes from the UK: Information on Importing/Purchasing a riflescope if you live outside the UK
Licensing and Export Controls
Please note that the export of any night vision systems, be it image
intensified, thermal or other, above a given specification is strictly
controlled by ITAR regulations. This also applies to riflescopes with a magnification of over 4x.
All of these systems are subject to UK Governmental Export Licensing Regulations and dependent on specification, a licence may need to be obtained prior to the export, even temporarily(e.g if you are travelling overseas with your device on holiday), from the UK.
It is the responsibility of the exporter, whether it be a company or an individual to ensure that such a licence is obtained. Failure to comply is a criminal offence.
For further information please visit
http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/export-control-organisation
PLEASE NOTE: As well as riflescopes, and night vision there are also export restrictions on weapon attachments and other associated products such as bipods etc
UK Export controls restrict the exportation of some products and devices to countries outside the UK
At Scott Country we are registered exporters of riflescopes and the Pulsar Digisight (non Image intensifier device) and can supply these devices to other countries with an Export Licence.
If you are a resident within the EU and hold a Firearms Certificate, wishing to purchase a Optical Weapon Sight, Telescopic Sight or Pulsar N550 Night Vision scope we can now export to you using an OIEL (Conditions Apply) Our licence covers only EU countries however it also covers Exports to Norway only outside the EU.
We will require a written undertaking (firstly emailed then the original posted to us) and a copy of your firearms certificate from you before export.
You can download a Written Undertaking template here (PDF) to be emailed to us.
Please ensure it is complete with your name and address as a header and signed in ink.
The original should be returned to us by post, which we will require before completion of the export.
BEFORE POSTING DOCUMENTS: Please ensure the following have been completed correctly
1. Ensure your Written Undertaking is on headed note paper.
2. Ensure your name address appears in the first paragraph of the document where stated (name and address of person, firm or company).
3. You have entered the goods to be supplied and stated their use/purpose.
4. Sections that do not apply to you are deleted and you delete as appropriate where marked with an asterix (*) , you can see an example of a completed Written Undertaking here.
5. You have signed, dated, and completed your status.
Delivery of your goods is subject to complying with the UK's Export Licensing Authority and we will not ship goods without recieving a correctly completed original written undertaking sent through the post to us.
You can download a Written Undertaking template here (PDF) to be emailed to us.
Please ensure it is complete with your name and address as a header and signed in ink.
The original should be returned to us by post, which we will require before completion of the export.
BEFORE POSTING DOCUMENTS: Please ensure the following have been completed correctly
1. Ensure your Written Undertaking is on headed note paper.
2. Ensure your name address appears in the first paragraph of the document where stated (name and address of person, firm or company).
3. You have entered the goods to be supplied and stated their use/purpose.
4. Sections that do not apply to you are deleted and you delete as appropriate where marked with an asterix (*) , you can see an example of a completed Written Undertaking here.
5. You have signed, dated, and completed your status.
Delivery of your goods is subject to complying with the UK's Export Licensing Authority and we will not ship goods without recieving a correctly completed original written undertaking sent through the post to us.
Ordering from Scott Country if you are an EU resident.If you plan on purchasing a telescopic riflescope with a magnification of above 4x, we have to satisfy conditions of our OIEL before we can send this to you if you live outside the UK. (Extract from BERR list : ML1D does not control Optical weapon sights without electronic image processing (i.e., using only lenses to view target), with a magnification of 4 times or less, provided they are not specially designed or modified for military use.)
This is because riflescopes have a been given an Export classification of ML1d which means they may be used for military purposes and therefore controls on their export have been put in place.
For countries within the EU we now hold an Open Individual Export Licence to ship these controlled goods to you.
Restrictions on Exporting NightvisionNightvision devices including riflescopes and hand held devices are strictly controlled and cannot be exported outside the UK without complying with strict conditions.
Nightvision which contains an image intensifier tube of any sort requires an individual export licence and can only be sent to EU countries (once a licence has been obtained)
We will also need an Import Consent form (read below for more info) should you wish to purchase a Night vision weapon sight that uses a Gen1, Gen 2, or Gen 3 type image intensifier.
Digital Night vision is different our Open Individual Export Licence now covers exports to the EU for the Pulsar N550 Digisight. (conditions apply)
Purchasing a riflescope from outside the EU or Purchasing Night Vision with an Image Intensifier Tube within the EU.
If you are a resident of a non EU country (or wish to purchase a Night Vision device) then we require an Export Licence to send a riflescope or Night Vision device to you. (Please Note: We will not send Night Vision outside of the EU)
In addition you will need to acquire another document called an Import Consent Form
What is an Import Consent form and how do i get one?
An import consent form is essentially a letter from your local government/customs office which states that you are allowed to import such a device into your country.
Some countries, who may have been in recent conflicts, pose restrictions in importing equipment or devices which may be used for military applications. This letter gives you permission to import a device.
What if an Import Consent cannot be given as these goods are not controlled in my country?
In some circumstances customers have contacted their customs office to be told that an Import Consent cannot be given as the goods are not controlled for import, and are readily available to purchase anyway. This is quite often the case, and we would in this instance just need a letter from you stating which customs officer and department you spoke with an that no Import Consent can be given as the goods are uncontrolled for import.
Other Dealers in the UK can send these items without all this paperwork, why do Scott Country?
We have heard of other dealers sending riflescopes without an Export Licence, however this is strictly illegal and if your goods do not have an Export Licence attached to them when they enter your country, they may be disposed of and you will loose the value of the item.
At Scott Country we do things properly and assure you that your goods will be sent with secure mail/courier and will have all the necessary export licence requirements fulfilled.
What happens next?
When we recieve your EUU we will submit it to the Export Control organisation along with an SIEL export application and technical specification. We will then email you with a reference number, and await the Export Licence being processed.
When this has taken place and been approved(this can take up to 1 month) we will attach it to your goods, and despatch your goods for customs clearance and shipping.
If you would like to read about the Export/Import regulations for controlled goods such as Nightvision, riflescopes etc, you can download the BERR document here.
