Night vision and thermal imaging in the UK: purchase, possession, and use (2026 guide)

The UK is currently one of Europe’s most dynamic markets for night vision and thermal imaging technology, driven by roe deer and fox management, private security, and wildlife observation. However, since Brexit, a British buyer ordering a device from a continental supplier like Silicate Systems must navigate two distinct sets of rules: UK laws regarding possession and use, and the customs formalities specific to EU-to-UK imports. This guide clearly addresses the three key questions every buyer asks: is night vision legal in the UK, how can it be imported, and under what conditions can it be used?

This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. UK legislation changes frequently (particularly regarding night shooting); always verify the current regulations with BASC or your local police firearms licensing department before purchasing any equipment intended for use on a firearm.

1. Possession: ownership is legal, without a specific license.

Contrary to popular belief, owning a night-vision or thermal imaging device—whether a monocular, binocular, handheld spotter, or riflescope—is perfectly legal in the United Kingdom, including England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. There is no national registry, purchase license, or restriction on tube generation comparable to the regulations found in certain non-EU countries.

This rule regarding civilian night vision ownership applies equally to observation devices and weapon-mounted sights: mere possession is never the aspect regulated by British law. What is regulated, however, is usage—particularly when mounted on a firearm and specifically for hunting regulated game. This is the key point to understand, as detailed below.

2. Buying and importing a device from the European Union: what has changed with Brexit

Since January 1, 2021, an order placed by a UK buyer with a France-based supplier—such as Silicate Systems—crosses a customs border. In practical terms, there are three factors to anticipate:

• Import VAT: goods imported into the United Kingdom from the EU are subject to UK VAT (20% in most cases), calculated based on the customs value of the device.
• The commodity code (or HS code) determines the applicable customs duty rate and any potential import restrictions. Optical and light-intensifying instruments generally fall under Chapter 90 of the customs nomenclature; many optical and electronic product lines benefit from a 0% duty rate under the UK Global Tariff, though this depends on the product's exact classification.
• Import declaration: depending on the Incoterm agreed with the seller (DDP delivery or otherwise), either the seller or the buyer handles the customs declaration and the payment of VAT upon arrival. A business buyer must have an EORI number starting with GB.

An advantage often overlooked by British buyers is that most high-end professional night-vision devices use US-made tubes and are therefore subject to ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations); this significantly complicates and slows down any export, even to an ally like the UK. The NNVT tubes (by JPNV) distributed by Silicate Systems are of non-US origin, meaning the device can be shipped from France to the UK without an ITAR export license—a factor that makes purchasing much simpler for UK customers compared to buying from a US supplier.

3. Custom: where British law gets really complicated

This is where the real complexity lies, and it varies depending on the nation within the United Kingdom and the game being hunted.

General use (observation, security, property surveillance, rescue)

Using a handheld night-vision or thermal imaging device—without mounting it on a weapon—to observe wildlife, monitor land or property, or conduct search and rescue operations is not subject to any specific restrictions in the United Kingdom.

Use on a firearm for roe deer hunting

Legislation regarding night-vision and thermal scopes mounted on rifles for roe deer hunting differs significantly between nations:

• In England and Wales, the use of thermal or light-intensification scopes is permitted during the day. A licence is required to shoot roe deer at night; Natural England recently issued the CL55 licence, which has modernized and simplified the process for night shooting with thermal scopes, replacing the previous individual licences.
• Scotland: Historically, the Deer (Firearms etc.) (Scotland) Order 1985 prohibited the use of light-intensifying or thermal-imaging sighting devices for roe deer, both by day and by night. Since November 2023, a regulatory change has permitted the use of these devices for the nocturnal management of roe deer, subject to a licence issued by NatureScot.
• Northern Ireland: thermal scopes and day/night optics are permitted for shooting roe deer during the day.

In any case, obtaining a night shooting licence generally entails training (such as the DMQ Night Shooting or Pest and Predator Night Shooting certificates offered by BASC) and registration on a "Fit and Competent" list.

Pests and small game (fox, rabbit) — pest control

In practice, the use of night vision and thermal imaging for pest control (foxes, rabbits) is far less restricted than for roe deer and is widely adopted by British pest controllers—though it remains subject to the general conditions of your Firearms Certificate or Shotgun Certificate.

Always check your weapon certificate.

Whether you are hunting roe deer or dealing with a pest control issue, mounting a night-vision or thermal scope on a rifle must remain consistent with the conditions specified on your firearms certificate. Your local police firearms licensing department is the point of contact should you have any doubts.

4. Traveling with your device: a specific point to watch out for

Owning and using a device in the United Kingdom is one thing; taking it out of the country (for a holiday, business trip, or competition) is another. Depending on its technical specifications, a night-vision or thermal imaging device may be subject to UK export controls, and a licence might be required before any trip abroad, even a temporary one. This is a separate issue from the ITAR regulations mentioned earlier (which concern the import of equipment into the UK, not its export); before travelling with your device, it is recommended that you check your status with the UK’s Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU).

In summary

At Silicate Systems, our LAB-NVS binoculars and LNVM monoculars feature NNVT tubes (by JPNV); they are assembled and purged in France and shipped to the UK without the ITAR restrictions associated with US-made tubes. Our multilingual technical support team assists UK buyers with configuration and PVS-14/ANVIS compatibility inquiries—and for questions specific to your intended use (hunting, security, observation), our team remains available via the site's professional contact page.