Can I bring thermal rifle scopes into South Africa?

[RichD]

I'm going to South Africa later this month. The PH asked me to bring 2 thermal scopes for him which he has ordered from a local dealer in Denver. I'll have to pay for them then he'll deduct it from my balance due. But is that legal? My friend is a rep for Leica and said based on ITAR regs that is not legal. He's not allowed to sell optics to his Canadian dealers. But, doing a quick Google search of "can I bring...", it looks ok. Before I start a GoFundMe page for bail out of a SA jail I wanted to pose that to AH forum members. Thanks!

 

[samson7x]

Don’t do that, ITAR. Either your ph isn’t aware or he’s using you to skirt ITAR.

 

[RichD]

I don't think he's aware. I wasn’t until my friend told me about ITAR.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

"Can I bring" google search is not the same as "Can I export (as in not bring back with me)"

We can take our rifles to another country, as long as we bring them back with us. If you took a rifle ,, or thermal scope, out of the US and gave it to someone in another country, technically you exported. That's where you run into trouble.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

Thermal scopes are legal in SA but as stated, ITAR compliance does not allow you to bring them into the country and leave them with the PH. If it was one, you could claim that it fell out of the boat? But two - I would not believe you.

It is a way for your PH to avoid the import tariffs and the VAT taxes. When my PH in Limpopo wanted a thermal, he bought one while in the USA and took it home with him. Not sure what if any paperwork was required. Discuss this openly with your PH. Explain the issues. If he does not cancel the request, I am pretty sure that he is not your friend.

 

[RLD]

I would not be honouring his request. It could really go sideways, particularly with U.S. authorities.

However if you do get in the shit in S.A., shoot me a DM and I can hook you up with some fine South African counsel.

 

[RichD]

I wll have to verify what types of thermals they are. Apparently binos and spotting scopes are allowed, but not any thermals that can be attached to a firearm.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

It’s a big no go due to ITAR and you can get in some serious trouble if caught. Even if that optic is approved for export by the US Dept of State you’d need to have a valid export license that includes ITAR regulated items, and need to sell into registered business not an individual.

With a single scope, you could play dumb by mounting it to your rifle in QD’s and having a non thermal back-up scope in a different bag as if you weren’t leaving it there but it’s technically still a no go. Your PH should know this. Ask yourself; if he does shows in the states he why hasn’t/isn’t he trying himself?

Hunters do it all the time, doesn’t make it any less wrong, you need to determine if you feel the risk is worth the reward.