Not without valid U.S. State Department approval. To do so without such approval is a Federal Offense and you will end up in a U.S. Federal Penitentiary. This is no joke and pleading “ignorance” will not hold up in court. U.S. Night Vision Devices are highly sensitive items whose distribution is tightly controlled and heavily enforced. It falls under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which states:
Export of the commodities described herein is strictly prohibited without a valid export license issued by the U.S. Department of State Office of Defense Trade Controls prescribed in the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), Title 22 Code of Federal Regulation, Parts 120-130.
Full ITAR language can be found here: http://www.pmddtc.state.gov/regulations_laws/itar_official.html
Exportation of Night Vision Devices includes travel. This means you cannot take a night vision device with you if you leave the country. Just so we are clear, this means it cannot be taken out of the country by plane (checked or carry-on luggage), train, boat, or automobile. Doing so is in direct violation of ITAR and, again, you will go to a Federal Penitentiary. This includes all civilian and law enforcement personnel (in short, flashing a badge will only make you less popular at the Federal Penitentiary).
On the same note, it is a violation of ITAR to allow any non-U.S. citizen to look through U.S. Gen3 night vision equipment (even on US Soil). They are also not allowed to have access to any operator’s manuals or documentation, whatsoever, pertaining to US Gen 3 Night Vision Devices. This is a little-known fact about ITAR and Night Vision Devices, but it is true. We have confirmed this with the US State Department and major Night Vision Manufacturers. At TNVC, we take great care to ensure our clients are properly informed on laws and regulations pertaining to night vision.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is serious business. Night Vision Devices help give our Warfighters and Law Enforcement Professionals the edge in defeating America’s enemies and keeping our communities and borders safe. At TNVC, we do everything possible to insure this technology stays in the U.S. and that our customers do the same. Please help us safeguard this technology by owning and using it responsibly.
