Thermal Spotters in Hand Luggage

Deeredriver

Well-Known Member
Has anyone travelled carrying a thermal spotter in their hand luggage. I would be travelling through Terminal 3, Heathrow.
Can't seem to find anything on line other than the restrictions on lithium batteries.

Thanks.
 
I think an export licence might be needed if you were sending it unaccompanied, possibly to sell or for repair.
If its your personal property, for your personal use while out of the UK and you intend to bring it back to the UK with you and it's obviously not new and in it's box with all the paperwork, then I don't think you'd have any problems.

Cheers

Bruce
 
Has anyone travelled carrying a thermal spotter in their hand luggage. I would be travelling through Terminal 3, Heathrow.
Can't seem to find anything on line other than the restrictions on lithium batteries.

Thanks.
On page 2 of the Pulsar Axion Quick Start Guide it states that you need a licence to export outside your country.
I suggest some research before you go.
 
On the temporaray export permit paperwork for your rifle from UK border control it states it does not cover image enhancing equipment.:
"The firearm, related ammunition and sight using non-electronic image enhancement form part of your personal effects. If your sight uses image enhancement this exemption does not apply. Paragraph 16 (3) of the Order refers."
If you take it I would put it in your gun case and have a cover on it. They only look for gun serial numbers and not what else is in the case. Putting it in your hold case is asking for trouble from the light fingered brigade. If you use cabin baggage put it with binoculars.
 
I think I have an answer for you. I phoned the Department for International Trade (020 7215 4594 Option 4) who weren't particularly helpful except to say "it doesn't matter if you're a tourist - taking a thermal spotter outside the country counts as exporting it, if it is a controlled item". Thermals are a controlled item (see below) So you need a licence. I honestly don't believe that customs would care about a single thermal spotter (they'd be looking for crates of them, but by the letter of the law you need to get an export licence. This can be done here: SPIRE - Export Licensing System

There is an open general licence (Open General Export Licence (Technology for Dual-Use Items - from June 2019) which covers the export of dual use goods such as thermals. There is a list of prohibited countries, but I suspect that your destination is not on them. This is what the Open General Licence requires:
"official and commercial export documentation accompanying the items shall include a note stating either: (a) "These items are being exported under the OGEL (Technology for Dual-Use Items – from June 2019)"; or (b) the SPIRE reference (in the form ‘GBOGE 20XX/XXXXX’) of the exporter’s registration in respect of this licence, which shall be presented to an officer of HM Border Force if so requested;"
https://assets.publishing.service.g...hnology-for-Dual-Use-Items-from-June-2019.pdf (If you are wondering why EU states are on the prohibited list that is because there is a separate licence for exporting to the EU.)

If you look on the the OGEL and Goods Checker Tools you will see that Microbolometers (i.e. thermals) are covered under the UK Strategic Export Control Lists> Retained Dual-Use List > ANNEX CATEGORY 6 > ANNEX.CATEGORY.6A. Alternatively type in microbolometer in the goods checker search.

Thermals are also covered under ML15d Open General Export Licence
Military, Security and Para-military Goods, Software and Technology and Arms, Ammunition and Related Material
ML15 Imaging or countermeasure equipment, as follows, specially designed for military use, and specially designed components and accessories therefor:
d. Infrared or thermal imaging equipment;
 
I would be extremely careful about trying to take image intensifying technology whether or not its a gunsight or just an monocular in or out of any country. They are seen as military or kit used by those up to no good by many in authority.

Going out of the UK is one thing, where you end up is entirely another matter and cells in foreign countries are lot less comfortable than those in the UK.

Two way radios are also viewed with great suspicion
 
I would be extremely careful about trying to take image intensifying technology whether or not its a gunsight or just an monocular in or out of any country. They are seen as military or kit used by those up to no good by many in authority.

Going out of the UK is one thing, where you end up is entirely another matter and cells in foreign countries are lot less comfortable than those in the UK.

Two way radios are also viewed with great suspicion
I've already decided not to take it.
Thanks all.
 
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