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.

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

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 ?!

Cheers for the heads up

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.

what did you buy hawke sidewinder or something

Leapers 3-12x44 compact.