sctn8gp

if i had that much gold to move somewhere i would do it either myself personally in the most inconspicous way possible, ie rent a car and drive, maybe even have a second person in another car to follow just in case there is an accident or something like that, or i would pay a professional courier service that specializes in this sort of thing.
every person you encounter that gains knowledge of what you are carrying is a potential threat. you never know who knows who, and what they talk about that can be overheard. if i had crime-committing tendancies, and i overheard a couple of smurfs talking about the guy that just went through with a quarter-mil in gold in his bag, my ears might prick up a little. news travels fast and you cold very easily have a "welcoming committee" at your destination.
for sure i wouldn't be asking for advice on an internet forum.

Centurion

I suggest you find the old 60 MINUTES news story with Ed Bradley and how he was detained in a Texas airport just for having some cash. Granted he did bait law enforcement by purchasing a one way ticket with cash. I think this story was pre 9-11... Does anyone have a link to the video or story?

bocastephen

I believe this episode also included an interview with an elderly black man who had his entire life savings confiscated by airport police thugs under the guise of 'drug money'. It was absolutely enraging to watch it.

TSORon

Despite the prevailing opinions here, I have dealt with many folks traveling with large amounts of gold (for me, large amounts means more than 50 pounds of it). My airport isn’t all that big, but we get them 2-3 times a month. Just ask for a private screening. It adds maybe 10 minutes to your checkpoint experience and then you are on your way.

modern

This is what I ended up doing a month ago at EWR, and it added maybe 5 minutes at most. After my bag with 140 ounces of gold coins (20 in each sealed tube) hit the xray, the operator starting waving for help. An agent took my bag, I asked for a private screening, another agent joined us and we walked over to a small room, they opened the bag and took out my coins, took a look, we chatted a bit, and that was that. Really easy and the bag and gold never left my line of sight.

Last week I flew out with again, this time with about 20 ounces of gold coins in my bag. Sailed through the xray machine no questions asked.

Only problem now is my safe deposit box is on the top row and the bank teller is having a hard time lifting it back up and I still have another 15 pounds of gold to move!

BLG

A couple of questions:

1. Can you request a private screening before you go though the X-Ray?

Assuming you can't request a private screening before the X-Ray, then...

2. If the X-Ray has a problem with your bag (with gold and/or silver in it) can you always request a private screening at that point, and must the screeners go through your bag with you watching so you can maintain security of your contents?

3. If it's a domestic flight, is there really a reason to be carrying receipts showing how you acquired the gold or silver? It's not like you need to carry receipts if you're carrying $50,000 worth of cameras and lenses, or wearing a diamond ring that could worth $100,000 or whatever. Why would transporting your own gold coins, for instance, be more of an issue?

modern

1. No. You and your bags go through the xray machine first, even if you request, as I did, the private screening before the xray. The screeners take the problem bag, you put on your shoes and belt and grab your other stuff and follow them to a private area.

2. I believe so.

3. There are no limits on carrying valuable items in the US that I am aware of, I had $200,000 in gold and not one question was asked as to the value or why I had it.

BLG

That's what I thought -- I couldn't remember a situation where it seemed like it was possible to make a private screening request before the X-Ray, which means we can likely count on the X-Ray potentially not liking the dense objet it can't ID, which will lead to a request for a private screening.

On another thread I saw a few posts suggesting that one use a "regular" lock on the carry-on with the valuables (not a TSA lock since carry-ons do not have to have TSA locks) which pretty much forces the screeners to ask you to open the bag, which gives you that much more "ability" to be sure that the bag is only opened in your presence in a private screening. Seems like a good idea to me.

And lastly, I agree. The TSA is charged with making sure that no items make it on the plane which could threaten the plane or other passengers; they are not charged with asking you how you came into possession of your own valuables, whether they be gold coins or bars or diamond rings or cameras or whatever.

Carol Keslinke

I have some American Eagle gold coins I inherited. I am moving to another state and will be flying. Can I take these coins through airport security?

garykung

Sure.