US Customs agents checking DEPARTING flights?
 

More and more often, for flights departing from the US to other countries, there is a group of US Customs agents standing on the jetway, looking at the passengers as they board. I've never seen them take anyone aside.

What are they looking for? The only thing I can think of that you're not supposed to bring out of the US is cash (or cash-like things)... but how would they know who's carrying cash? Or are they looking for specific profiles? Or what?

Also, a friend claims (I don't quite believe her recollection) that she was on a flight where the guys on the jetway for the departure were from IRS, not Customs. This seems almost plausible, but I don't think the IRS has armed agents at airports?

Anyone have input?

Not supposed to take cash out of the US?

What does this mean? Is that true? I've never heard of that. Do travelers checks count?

I was stopped by a plainclothes customs agent on the airbridge just as I was about to board a night flight from JFK to Cairo on Egyptair. This was the year before 9/11.
He had his ID on a chain around his neck and was fairly polite as he asked me if I was carrying any money and how much.
I think anything over $10,000 is disallowed
He was pretty quick and disinterested and it hasn't happened to me since.

Not true.

You may bring in to the US or take out as much money as you wish, however amounts greater than $10,000 must be declared.

Yes, travelers checks are included in money subject to the reporting limits.

The Currency Reporting Form is called "CF 4790".



[This message has been edited by Quokka (edited 10-10-2003).]

Sorry, I meant $10K and over not allowed without declaration. There's no fee; you just have to report, and presumably the IRS keeps an eye on your returns or something. Money orders and similar instruments count as cash for purposes of the need to report.

since you are departing the US, which to my knowledge has no outbound passport/border controls, can you refuse to answer questions and refuse to have your luggage/person searched by Customs?

Not sure whats done at airports since the security branches are being integrated, but customs/INS and sometimes the Border patrol (most times a member from each unit) have been visiting ships just prior to leaving port. The visits are now random but for a while they were doing very ship in the departing the Tampa port.

They had been herding all the crew into room just to match personnel with passports and ignoring many warnings/advise as to the danger of that procedure. Well sure enough they kept doing it THIER WAY until on one ship had a fast moving shower of rain fall on the cargo ( since the crew was not at their stations) a cargo which is supposed to be completely dry result potential $ multi-million lawsuit.
It will probably be paid out of the security budget.
mike

I have seen dog's on the jetway that are trained to sniff out greenbacks.

In Port Angeles WA, Custom agents will write down all of the license plate numbers of cars driving onto the ferry to Victoria.

In San Ysidro, southbound vehicles entering Tijuana have their license plates photographed.

Just looking to see if any pax are carrying cash or cash equivalents. Any amount is legal to carry out. However, you must have a declaration form filled out if you plan to carry $10,000 or more into or out of the country.

Obviously, this is meant to hinder drug dealing and terrorism funding. I remember encountering them even way back in the early 90s.

- Pat

(Q) How much cash may I bring with me for my trip?

(A) There is no limit on the total amount of money or monetary instruments that may be brought into or taken out of the United States. However, if you transport or cause to be transported, more than $10,000 in monetary instruments on any occasion into or out of the United States, or if you receive more than that amount, in behalf of someone else and then transport it, you must file a Customs Form 4790 with U.S. Customs. Failure to comply can result in civil and criminal penalties, including seizure of the currency or monetary instruments. Monetary instruments include U.S. or foreign coins, currency, traveler's checks, money orders, and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form are all considered when determining the total $10,000 reporting requirement.

MisterNice

Driving into Canada in Jan '02, crossing from MT I-15, I was asked to pop my trunk on the US side by the agents there. I did, and the search was cursory at best.

you can bring as much as you want out. Anything that can be used as cash needs to be declared.

Money that is "made out" to someone else does not count. You can carry out checks made out to others, or securities in people's names without declaring. You are supposed to declare cash, traveler's checks and other "monetary" instruments or "bearer" instruments that can be turned into cash.

The purpose is to keep tabs on you if you are deemed suspicious, so they can put you on a list of possible tax evaders, money launderers, people who just want to be left alone, etc. (oh, and "terrorists" also :rolleyes http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

What if you are carrying a precious gemstone worth more than $10,000? (Not that I have anything more than a $50 watch, but lots of people wear stones worth much more than $10K.) Are you supposed to declare these items each time you enter/leave the US?

pinniped it looks like their are checking for cash and cash equivalents (liquid assets).