Exporting Riflescope From U.S. to Canada

[dangerdude]

I recently jumped through a few hoops to buy a riflescope from Maven and have it exported to Canada. I’ve gotten lots of great intel from these forums and figured I’d give back a little.


How-To Guide

Purchase process with Maven was easy peasy. Placed the order just like any other on the website. Soon enough, someone from Maven reached out via email to help guide me through the Canadian import process. I had to submit a request for an import license using the New Export Controls Online system here: https://www.nexcol-nceel.canada.ca/en/Home-Accueil

There was a bit of guesswork here but all in all it took me about an hour to complete. They ask for supporting information on the product and also suggest a cover letter to support the import request. So I uploaded PDF copies of the product page, tech specs, instruction manual, and order confirmation email. I also wrote a short cover letter explaining what the product was and why I was requesting an import license. Maybe some of this was overkill but I figured it couldn’t hurt.

I received my import license by email within 24h of submitting the request. Sent it to Maven by email so that they could submit the export license paperwork on their end. Export license took about a month to obtain, after which Maven was able to ship the scope.

Fast forward a few days and I’m the happy owner of an RS1.2 scope! If you just came here to read a “how-to” then the story ends here.


Export License… So Many Questions

The package included a copy of the export license issued by the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). I’m a curious guy so I read it. This is the first time I have ever looked at anything export or import related and man do our governments not make it easy to understand.

Riflescopes fall under a special category of exported items given their end use. They are subject to what is called the EAR (Export Administration Regulations). They are given an ECCN (Export Control Classification Number) that requires an exporter to obtain BIS approval prior to export.

The license included “conditions”. I, as the purchaser and ultimate user, cannot re-export the scope or transfer the scope to another Canadian citizen unless:

• I obtain approval from U.S. BIS
• I am authorized via license exemption

The only case that concerns me is selling the scope to another Canadian. It does seem as though the BIS claims jurisdiction over the exported product even on Canadian soil.

I am not planning on selling this thing any time soon. But then again, nothing lasts forever. Maybe one day I’ll look to sell it to fund a nicer newer toy and these conditions really bothered me.

I ended up doing a whole bunch of reading on the BIS website (more than I care to admit!), emailed Maven, spoke to Maven, emailed Global Affairs Canada, and spoke to two BIS Export Counselors about this.

For what it’s worth, I came to the following conclusions for my situation:

• No issues, conditions or limitations that I could see on the Canada import license. All good there.
• The EAR are so complex, full of exceptions, and cross references that make them almost unreadable for the layperson. I understand why entire professions exist to navigate this system. I read documents written by lawyers for a living and I was unable to get to a conclusion on my own without speaking to a specialist.
• I most likely fall under some sort of license exemption category with the U.S. BIS. So no need to worry about getting a new export license to eventually sell the scope. As long as I don’t sell it to someone on an export black list then I’m good. This was confirmed through a phone conversation with a BIS Export Counselor.

I don’t think I’ll ever have a 100% clear answer but this is good enough for me. I want to make sure to do things by the book. I very much enjoy vacationing in the U.S. and want to keep enjoying your fine country for many decades to come

Hope this was useful information.

Peace