Welcome guest, is this your first visit? Create Account now to join.
  • Login:

Welcome to the NZ Hunting and Shooting Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.

Alpine Terminator


User Tag List

+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 7 of 7
Like Tree5Likes
  • 5 Post By Bagheera

Thread: How to buy a scope while visiting the USA

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Waikato
    Posts
    2,085

    How to buy a scope while visiting the USA

    The scope I wanted wasn't available through the NZ agent.

    Big box chains like Cabelas and Bass Pro turned out to be no use to me without a car, because they only had one massive shop in each state, an hour's drive from the cities and no public transport to them.

    I contacted an online shop (Pyramid Air because it was an airgun scope and they had it in online catalogue) using their web page "online chat" facility and got immediate answers to several questions. All info turned out to be correct, too. I phoned their US number as well to confirm they had the exact model in stock, and that they could deliver to a hotel room address, which they could.

    I checked with the hotel concierge that they could receive a parcel and deliver it to my room and the address to use. Just my name was good enough to identify it, no need to include room number.

    Paid online using NZ credit card, US hotel address and Gmail contact address.

    Immediate confirmation of order came by email. Unfortunately, the exact model number wasn't on the receipt but the price was correct. This email said please reply if there was any problem. Straight away, I emailed back to check the model but got a reply it had already been despatched. It turned out it was the correct model so that was a worry about nothing.

    The parcel arrived after 4 working days plus a weekend (they said 3 to 5 working days). So they don't seem to deliver on weekends and you need to allow for this time. It was brought up to my room.

    I ditched all the transport packaging and kept the receipt with the small scope box, taking it in my checked luggage. There was no problem taking it out of the USA. I didn't try to claim back any sales tax. This can save quite a lot in Europe but you need to get special paperwork filled at the time you buy it and to take the item in hand luggage and do more paperwork at the airport. Of course, you then pay GST on arrival in NZ if it's over a threshold.

    At the NZ border, I didn't declare it as it was under NZD700. They would have seen it on X Ray but made no comment and I didn't have to answer any questions.

    Now it's on my rifle and is just right.
    P38, dirtyhabit, gadgetman and 2 others like this.

  2. #2
    P38
    P38 is offline
    Member P38's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Hastings
    Posts
    5,692
    I bought two scopes last year when in Las Vegas.

    There is a Bass Pro shop there.

    One other scope I wanted they wouldn't sell to me because it was on the "ITAR list".

    Both scopes I purchased went into my checked luggage.

    No one seemed too concerned.

    I declared them on return to NZ.

    Customs were also unconcerned and no get was paid.

    Pretty simple really.

    Cheers
    Pete
    Arguing with an Engineer is like Wrestling a Pig in Mud.

    After awhile you realise the Pig loves it.

  3. #3
    Member chainsaw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Norf
    Posts
    5,747
    my US trips always include a visit to a Cabelas store - sometimes scopes and optics are not much cheaper than here, especially the high end stuff. But some of the deals on sale are VERY good. eg I packed up a VX-R Patrol (tactical turrets) w TMR reticle 3-9x40 for US$248 last trip. Also picked binos and RF's on other trips. Never had an issue with taking out of country or bringing it is here. For optics I always take them in my carry on bag - you seen what they do to your checked bags - right ?!

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Cambridge
    Posts
    2,324
    Cheers for the heads up

  5. #5
    Member Beetroot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Morrinsville
    Posts
    3,007
    It seems that customs once you get to NZ couldn't care less about taxing you on purchases, they seem more worried about the food and potential environmental hazzards you might have. Bought back a tonne of things including car parts from the UK last year, and they didn't mention it, just asked about dirt on my shoes.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    helensville nz
    Posts
    4,551
    what did you buy hawke sidewinder or something

  7. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Waikato
    Posts
    2,085
    Leapers 3-12x44 compact.

 

 

Similar Threads

  1. Buying Firearms while visiting the US
    By P38 in forum Firearms, Optics and Accessories
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 08-10-2013, 10:45 PM
  2. Hi from a visiting Aussie
    By paul.peters in forum Introductions
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 15-08-2013, 08:16 PM
  3. Visiting American needs some advice
    By ewlyon in forum Firearms, Optics and Accessories
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 31-07-2013, 06:48 PM
  4. Where can I shoot when visiting NZ?
    By Aaron9mm in forum Shooting
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 15-07-2013, 05:13 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Welcome to NZ Hunting and Shooting Forums! We see you're new here, or arn't logged in. Create an account, and Login for full access including our FREE BUY and SELL section Register NOW!!