You cannot legally take a scope out of the US. I said legally. How I know is that when I was importing from Italy, my contact who I purchased guns from ( he has a shop in Brescia) asked if I could get him MEC loaders for shotguns and some rifle scopes. Was much cheaper here then him buying them in Italy. Found out that I needed an export license. Said to the Feds, wait this is stuff I can buy at a store and walk out with. Yes, but going out of the country for those items you need a license.
Now, if you put one in a bag on a plane I donot think anybody will care.
My difference was the quantity and having to ship it commercially
JOhn
Quality Arms
Taking them out of county and selling or shipping to sell is quite different than taking one on a rifle. As for carry on, I can't guess, but I doubt the employee at the counter truly knows either.
The best thing to do is contact the proper federal agency. It will not be BATF since this is out of country, nor is it likely the State Department as it would be if you were sending a barrel or other gun part (over $100 value) out of country. Not sure who controls international flight rules. When I wanted to send a barrel to Harry in England for his Borchardt, I could not find a definitive answer so I sent a note to one of my congress critters and they not only told me the correct department to contact, but also the correct office to call or email. Of course, rules in the country you are going to may be an issue too, but I would simply send it on/with the checked rifle and not have a worry in the world. It is the carry-on part that will be the problem and you have no reason to push the envelope. A scope on a hunting rifle is not an issue, as has been shown by thousands of successful travelers every year.
