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SITCSection 8
U.S. imports of telescopic sights, periscopes, and instrument telescopes (SITC 87191) totaled $23.1M in April 2026, traded with 26 countries.
Importers of Telescopic Sights, Periscopes, and Instrument Telescopes paid $5.4M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 24% on $22.4M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataTelescopic sights designed for mounting on firearms, military-grade periscopes, and telescopes integrated into electrical, optical, photographic, television, or sound equipment occupy a commercially and regulatorily distinct space from standalone consumer optics. Many articles in this heading are subject to export-control review under the Export Administration Regulations or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) on the export side, and import admissibility may require coordination with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for firearm-mounted sighting devices. Buyers sourcing riflescopes or tactical periscopes should confirm whether the article meets the "designed for fitting to arms" criterion, as misclassification between this heading and general optical instrument headings is a recurring audit finding.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
ATF jurisdiction applies primarily to the firearm itself, but certain sighting systems — particularly night-vision or thermal scopes — may also require review under the Arms Export Control Act or Commerce Department export-control rules. Importers should consult a licensed customs broker and, where applicable, ATF or the State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls before shipment.
The critical factor is design intent: a scope with mounting rails, reticles calibrated for ballistic drop, or other features specifically engineered for weapon attachment falls here, whereas a spotting scope on a tripod without such features typically classifies elsewhere. Physical mounting hardware and product documentation are key evidence at entry.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHINA | $6.6M | $4K | -$6.6M |
| JAPAN | $6.3M | $25K | -$6.3M |
| PHILIPPINES | $5.0M | $30K | -$5.0M |
| GERMANY | $718K | $2.4M | +$1.7M |
| CANADA | $219K | $2.5M | +$2.3M |
Monthly import values over time