in the past, i carried large sums of cash money out of the country. $25,000 to 50,000 was typical. this was back when you could really buy something with 50 grand us. TC's are a real pain, because each one has to be signed. maybe even twice. that's 500 of them.
at that time, supposidly if I called customs at IAD, someone who could accept the form would meet me at the ticket counter with the form. no one ever showed up. i told the ticket agent i was to sign the document, and went on my merry way. was never stopped going. got stopped a lot in heathrow on the way back. got asked all the time(still do) as to how much money i have on me every time i come into the country.
So, when you return to the U.S. and check of "yes" to the declaration question "Are you carrying more than $10,000" what happens? Does Customs give you another form? Do they ask to see the money? Do they count it? Do they ask questions about how you got it?
unless he is carrying euros, i don't think that fits in one roller bag. euros can take up 85% less space, and should fit.
the guy says he wants cash. it is his reason, just like it was mine to want cash. i also did business with l/c's, wire transfers, and third party checks. some people want cash. back then, most would accept us dollars.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yaatri
I was approached by some LEOs who flashed their badge at me and asked me where I was going, why and that kind of silly stuff. During questioning, they asked me how much money I was carrying. I said "It's none of your business". Then they asked me if I was carrying more than $10,000. I answered "No", as I wasn't. But even they didn't tell me what I would have had to do if I had more than $10,000.
I think the "carrying more than $10,000?" question is in Customs' collection of random questions to ask. I've gotten it from time to time.
I think the "carrying more than $10,000?" question is in Customs' collection of random questions to ask. I've gotten it from time to time.
I got it as a random question while boarding an ATL-CDG flight a few months ago. I opened up my wallet for the lady and showed her all the cash I had on me: a Swedish 20kr note (about $3). She didn't seem satisfied with that answer and continued pressing me about it. I'm not sure why she thought I'd be carrying that kind of cash on me - with the shabby way I was dressed that day, people probably thought it would take me a year to make ten grand.
got stopped a lot in heathrow on the way back. got asked all the time(still do) as to how much money i have on me every time i come into the country.
Answers my question. I've always thought one should never check the "I've got $10K" box, or it would lead to problems the rest of your entries into USA.
Once I was bringing back about $12k. I thought I'd deposit $2k in Dubai, but the bank was closed. On to LHR. I saw an American Express counter. I asked if I could make a payment on my credit card balance. "No problem," they said, "only it can't be more than the balance." And there was no currency exchange fee! So you can actually payer dollars in UK on your American Amex account and have them count as dollars 1 for 1. One problem --- I miscounted and still had $10,050. Amex said, "Too bad. You can only make one payment a day." So my wife got a nice sweatshirt from Harrod's, and I walked into USA with $9,975.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alanh
The argument is that most legitimate big money goes electronically these days -- that's also why there's no longer $500 or $1000 bills in circulation.:
The Euro has €500 notes. Which today is worth nearly $800. It wouldn't take too many of those to equal $10,000.
As a side note, there was a news article last year that noted that Euro officials were wondering why so many of their €500 notes ended up in southern Spain.
Answers my question. I've always thought one should never check the "I've got $10K" box, or it would lead to problems the rest of your entries into USA.
Once I was bringing back about $12k. I thought I'd deposit $2k in Dubai, but the bank was closed. On to LHR. I saw an American Express counter. I asked if I could make a payment on my credit card balance. "No problem," they said, "only it can't be more than the balance." And there was no currency exchange fee! So you can actually payer dollars in UK on your American Amex account and have them count as dollars 1 for 1. One problem --- I miscounted and still had $10,050. Amex said, "Too bad. You can only make one payment a day." So my wife got a nice sweatshirt from Harrod's, and I walked into USA with $9,975.
Inflation adjustment on currency declaration limit
I fully agree with the writer who suggested to adjust the amount to inflation. After all we are talking about a relatively small amount of money here, just over 6000 Euros.... OK, it's more than one needs for tipping but not much if you want to buy a few gifts etc. and want to negotiate the price when paying cash.
To avoid hassling travelers the limit should probably be 20K Euros ($32K) and be annualy adjusted to inflation. That would still allow the government to go after big fish but don't bother the the small fries, the regular traveler.
A little anecdote: I remember way back in the early 80s when France imposed and enforced strict foreign currency limits to control cash outflow to Switzerland, Luxembourg etc. I saw a raid of by French fiscal police on a train from Paris to Brussels. In my train compartment they went through bags of grannies to see if they had a gift cards with some little cash for their grandchildren ... it was pretty traumatizing for those elderly ladies...
There has to be a balance in what government tries to accomplish and what is supportable for travelers.
Vivifiant,
Ohio
PS:
I would understand if the IRS would want to do some random checks on first class travelers who have OTC tickets on nonstop flights from Vegas to Liechtenstein.... but there ain't any nonstop...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vivifiant
A little anecdote: I remember way back in the early 80s when France imposed and enforced strict foreign currency limits to control cash outflow to Switzerland, etc. I saw a raid of by French fiscal police on a train from Paris to Brussels. In my train compartment they went through bags of grannies to see if they had a gift cards with some little cash for their grandchildren ... it was pretty traumatizing for those elderly ladies...
This reminds me of the one and only time (after 1000+ border crossings) that I was asked about money and even searched. However this was by Swiss immigration at GVA airport when I entered Switzerland (sometime in the late 90's). I was curious because I thought the Swiss loved it when people brought them money?
I always carry a currency pouch with cab fare, etc. in a dozen or so currencies. They had fun flipping through it, but it wasn't really what they were looking for.
Biggest concern for OP is power-tripping TSA with big-catch syndrom
The OP's biggest concern is probably the TSA discovering the cash.
Some TSAers with big-catch syndrome seem to automatically link large amounts of cash to illegal activity, and they will take it upon themselves to report passengers to law enforcement which often takes the same dim view of cash. Their view is tainted by the fact that it is quite easy for law enforcement to seize cash and keep it for their department/agency's use, and quite hard for the victim to get the cash back because the burden of proof is (strangely and disgustingly IMO) on the individual to prove the cash was legit.
Were it me, I would carry a copy of the completed FINCEN form with me to show to TSA (to prove you're following the rules for international travel, even though TSA has no business enforcing those rules). And pack your carry-on and person to minimize the chance of a bag search. And don't "obscure" the cash by hiding it in your sock or the lining of your jacket, or some power-tripping big-catch screener might take that as a sign of suspicious behavior and grounds to refer you to law enforcement for seizure.
Once you get beyond the checkpoint, you shouldn't have any trouble.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yaatri
Sometimes cash is the best even when you are not going to the middle of nowhere.
Yep, and some like the extra security of knowing they are carrying cash.
In addition, an advantage gambler going overseas to play might want to carry cash. Wiring funds [in advance] to a casino would basically give them lots of information with regard to your identity.
Of course, only using cash for bankroll, and keeping your identity anonymous would also require that you don't need to show your passport to enter the foreign casino.
Were it me, I would carry a copy of the completed FINCEN form with me to show to TSA (to prove you're following the rules for international travel, even though TSA has no business enforcing those rules).
CBP is not required to provided the traveler with a copy of the completed form.
You can download the reporting form from the internet and print it out at home to have it ready. We fly out of MSY, where there is never anyone there qualified to accept the form and where, when asked, people react with such puzzlement that you feel you've been a little unfair to set them such a hard question. So we have to find out where to drop it off at the airport from which we are actually departing the country. Once at DTW there was also no one there from Customs to take the form. The gate agent accepted it and said that they would get it to Customs, and that my companion (the one who actually had the cash) could go ahead and board. They would let the Customs agent board if he decided to actually show up and ask any questions. No such agent ever presented himself so I assume the form was filled out to their satisfaction. Either that, or Customs was taking the night off.
I would never wait and hope to pick up the form at the airport. It relies on a Customs office being open, the Customs agent being there and ready to deal with your paperwork instead of something more urgent, and so on.
I've complained about this issue before. It's pretty straightforward and someone is always there so that you can report when returning to the United States, but they make it very difficult to properly report when exiting the United States. Since the requirement is to report coming and going, I wish Customs would make it a little easier for honest people to comply in both directions. We shouldn't have to run about like rats in a maze just to drop off THEIR paperwork.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kennycrudup
Serious question- with the advent of plastic (and nowadays, there's anonymous, refillable debit cards), unless someone's going to the Middle Of Nowhere, is there any need to carry cash?
(I'm assuming that the OP has some very specific needs, but I just wonder if Joe Rich Traveler ever has to do this any more)
Migrant/immigrant workers who have family that don't pay in a plastic world is a very common scenario as to why people carry over $10,000.
Inflation adjustment on currency declaration limit
