Originally Posted by
Roger
I'm astonished by baggageinhall's info about a £1,000 limit.
I'm by no means a cash person - much dependence on cards - but I'm often travelling with £1,000+ in cash, spread across a few currencies to be sure. I had no idea that I was a potential suspect.
Having said that, I cannot remember when I was last challenged by UK Customs, and Customs inspection in most of my destinations seems perfunctory.
Being plausible is secondary to having evidence that can back it up.
I've prosecuted and defended these hearings. Evidence is key. If you walk it or out of the country, be prepared to show in painstaking detail how you earned the money or you will spend a fair amount of time at Uxbridge or Staines Magistrates' Court, explaing your account of events.
Bottom line: wire the money because it's far easier.
HMRC/HM Border Agency spend their time targeting 'easy' flights such as those to the Caribbean and the Far East. They still target other flights in a far more subtle way.