Advise for travel with night vision equipment...

[huzilulu]

Hi Guys

I will be travelling from Houston to Namibia, and am planning to take some night vision equipment (hand held and scope) for my trip... My route is:
IAH-DXB-JNB (emirates with a stop in dubai for a few days)
JNB-Windoek (Air Namibia)

Does anyone know/have advise if any of the stopover (Dubai/JNB) or destination (Windhoek) places have any restrictions/requirements for these types of items? I will not have a rifle or ammo, just the scope and handheld viewers...

Thanks!
Huzi

 

[BRICKBURN]

I'd start my research at home.

The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)

The Department of State is responsible for the export and temporary import of defense articles and services governed by 22 U.S.C. 2778 of the Arms Export Control Act ("AECA"; see the AECA Web page) and Executive Order 13637.Jan 11, 2017.

Export of night vision equipment, thermal optics and optical sighting equipment and technical data therefore (including user manuals) is controlled by the U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, in accordance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Title 22, and Code of Federal Regulations Part 120-130 and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security in accordance with the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), Title 15, Code of Federal Regulations Part 730. Some of this equipment may require a license for export or re-export from the United States.

 

[mdwest]

The key on night vision is to know what generation your device is..

Gen 1 and Gen 2 are exportable from the US without a license or permit from either DDTC (ITAR) or Commerce (EAR)... just pack it in your bags and go (I'd recommend having a copy of the DDTC/ITAR reg that says Gen 1 and Gen 2 are exportable without a license in your pocket.. and proof that your device is in fact Gen 1 or Gen 2 Night Vision... your typical Airline Rep, TSA Agent, or even Customs Official that youre going to deal with when you come back home isnt going to know the difference in Gen 1 and Gen 4.. or NV vs Thermal, etc..)..

Gen 3 and Gen 4 are NOT exportable from the US without a license.. even if for your own use, and your intent is to only temporarily take them out of the country and bring them back..

You can obtain a temp export license for personal use purposes for Gen 3.. but.. expect it to take time (the last I checked, DDTC was pretty backed up.. and it was taking 90+ days to get export licenses for relatively easy/unquestioned stuff.. if there are questions/concerns.. you should expect it to take longer..

Gen 4.. there is no way in hell youre getting a license as an individual.. the technology designer/manufacturer MIGHT get one.. if he gets permission to sell the technology abroad from the US govt first.. but.. taking Gen 4 on a hunt in Namibia.. aint going to happen..

 

[mdwest]

IAH-DXB-JNB (emirates with a stop in dubai for a few days)

I havent dealt with UAE officials with Night Vision.. but I can tell you they are VERY sensitive to anything that might have military application though...

I've transited Dubai several times with body armor, ballistic helmets, and other "tactical" gear.. Generally what will happen is the airport police will call you aside, and want to dig through all of your bags.. they will then take the item in question into possession and lock it up/store it in their secure area in the airport and issue you a claim ticket for the item so that you can get it back before you depart the UAE...

No real big deal.. other than you should plan on spending an extra hour at the airport before you can leave while they "process" your stuff... and you should plan on getting back to the airport a couple of hours earlier than you normally would so that you can get your stuff back, re-pack it in your bags, check in, and get on your plane..

They arent fast or efficient in the process.. but they have always been polite enough and easy enough to deal with..

After 18 years of war, and thousands upon thousands of US and European defense contractors transiting Abu Dhabi and Dubai every day carrying everything from 12" rambo knives to body armor, to helmets, to radio sets, to weapons parts, to God only knows what else through there on their way into and out of Iraq or Afghanistan... theyre pretty used to dealing with "stuff" that they dont want getting out of the airport and potentially into the local populaces hands..

 

[JimP]

I'd leave it at home. While the odds of you baggage being inspected and them finding it are long all it would take is one overzealous inspector to find it and then you will be in for a long wait as you explain what is going on. It won't matter if it is legal or illegal to export and bring back home, most of these inspectors have no ideas of what the actual laws are but are told just to look for items.

 

[jeff]

I flew Delta and took a night vision monocular with me, it was extremely useful on my night critter bowhunt, especially the bush pig. I had no trouble, packed in my carry on. Left it for the PH.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Hi Huzi, Not saying that you will be using any of this night vision equipment in Namibia for hunting but just wanted to point out to you that hunting at night in Namibia is not permitted. Hunting in Namibia may take place from half an hour before sunrise until half an hour after sunset during the hunting season and no hunting is allowed with artificial light which includes night vision equipment.

 

[juniorz439]

I like to take night vision monocular with me. Few months ago, I've purchased model called AGM PVS-14 NL2, and it helps a lot for any kind of night trip.

 

[juniorz439]

Talking of which, I found it on the website of manufacturer ( right there: https://www.agmglobalvision.com/night-vision/night-vision-monoculars ). They not only produce, but also sell and give you all the needed information and even tips how to maintain those thermal and night scopes. I really like such responsible services.