how much cash can i have on me when going through custom?

[wewhosee 0]

hi, im getting different answers on this, some say its $5000 max, some say its $10000. if i were to bring 10k cash with me while going through POE, does it make things more complicated?

Edited June 23, 2014 by wewhosee

[LibCampFireClub 635]

The amount of cash you may carry varies from country to country. The US for example has regulations you can find on the US Customs website.

Currency / Monetary Instruments - Amount that can be brought into or leave the U.S.

How much currency / money / monetary instruments can I bring into the U.S.?

There is no limit on the amount of money that can be taken out of or brought into the United States. However, if a person or persons traveling together and filing a joint declaration (CBP Form 6059-B) have $10,000 or more in currency or negotiable monetary instruments, they must fill out a "Report of International Transportation of Currency and Monetary Instruments" FinCEN 105 (former CF 4790).

If assistance is required, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer can help with filling out the form.

Please be aware, if persons/family members traveling together have $10,000 or more, they cannot divide the currency between each other to avoid declaring the currency.

For example, if one person is carrying $5,000 and the other has $6,000, they have a total of $11, 000 in their possession and must report it on a FinCEN 105. If a person or family fails to declare their monetary instruments in amounts of over $10,000, their monetary instrument(s) may be subject to forfeiture and could result to civil and criminal penalties.

The FinCEN 105 can be obtained prior to traveling or when going through CBP.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/195/~/currency-%2F-monetary-instruments---amount-that-can-be-brought-into-or-leave-the

[novedsac 355]

No, it does not make things more complicated. If 10000 USD or more, then you just need to declare it. Declaration is painless and I'd be surprised if any questions were asked about it.

[Darnell 8,478]

if >= 10000 must declare it on the form at the POE,

and that's it.

no further action, and you will not be taxed on it.

[CowBoE 429]

Be very careful and accurate about this.

Here is a man who got his $10,000 seized by US customs because currency exchange rate

from the time he got on the plane and got off, had pushed the total sum over $10,000.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/04/02/man-has-undeclared-10000-seized-at-border-after-exchange-rate-pushes-him-over-limit-to-take-from-country/

Up to $10,000 is the US custom's limit, so if you don't want to run into this stupid exchange rate boost,

then convert them to exact $10,000 US dollars before leaving your country.

Or if you simply have more than $10,000 USD, just declare it,

there is no harm like any taxes or penalties that I know of.

Also some countries want to increase their US currency holding so they

can impose on limit as to how much you can take out of the country

so that could be the $5,000 limit some people are talking about.

So check your local country's limit as well.

Lastly, another possibility is to bring something under $5,000 or $10,000

and then later, have your family or trusted member wire the remaining money to the

US bank account.

[wewhosee 0]

ok so i should be ok as long as i have less than 10k on me?

[SBB 74]

Bring as much as you want, you just need to declare it on your customs form.

[Al422 221]

If you are talking hundreds, then you are not even close and don't worry about it. If you think you may be close to the $10,000 limit, declare it. No problem having it, as it is yours. Just declare it.

[Jadakiss 0]

I'm taking more than $10,000 USD. I will declare it on arrivals card. What's the online form I need to fill out prior to travelling? Can someone send me the link. Thanks!

[Pitaya 2,577]

I'm taking more than $10,000 USD. I will declare it on arrivals card. What's the online form I need to fill out prior to travelling? Can someone send me the link. Thanks!

There was a link previously posted in response #2 of this thread.

[curt19 2]

In sending my fiancé money via western union and talking to the western union tellers... I learned that people will western union themselves money. And pick up at their destination rather than carry the cash. I suppose you could western union money to the U.S. and pick up at home.

I read on trip advisor... Prior to going to China i set up a separate saving and checking account with my credit union. They then issued as ATM I was able to use in chinese ATM systems without transaction fees. I can do online banking to transfer balances between accounts as I need cash.

[leishi 11]

In sending my fiancé money via western union and talking to the western union tellers... I learned that people will western union themselves money. And pick up at their destination rather than carry the cash. I suppose you could western union money to the U.S. and pick up at home.

I read on trip advisor... Prior to going to China i set up a separate saving and checking account with my credit union. They then issued as ATM I was able to use in chinese ATM systems without transaction fees. I can do online banking to transfer balances between accounts as I need cash.

why use western union, when you can wire the money from the chinese bank to u.s bank (fees are a lot lower)

[JohnR! 5,495]

You can bring as much money as you want. There is no restriction as to how much you can bring into the US. However, if you're bringing more than $10K you must declare it and have proof of origin for the money, in the form of a foreign exchange receipt, or bank statements. There is no taxation at the POE regardless of the amount you bring in.

Good luck!

hi, im getting different answers on this, some say its $5000 max, some say its $10000. if i were to bring 10k cash with me while going through POE, does it make things more complicated?

[novedsac 355]

It's not just cash, but unrestricted checks/money orders, stocks, securities, bearer bonds, etc. Must declare it on the Customs Form and fill out FinCEN 105. There are no taxes due and there is no requirement to provide proof as to where the monetary instruments came from, though CBP agents may inquire and documentation may be necessary if things don't sound/look right. I routinely travel with company assets far in excess of the limit and never, ever once had a single question or any issue whatsoever.

Sending it via WesternUnion, inter-bank transfer, etc. also requires declaration if the amount is equal to or in excess of $10,000. These services do it for you, just as if you were depositing or withdrawing an amount from your personal account equal to or above the limit; you may not even be aware of it. Also note that the amount is in aggregate; i.e., you cannot split it amongst travel companions/family members in order to avoid it.

Same assets must also be reported when exiting the United States too.

There is no legal way around the reporting requirement and there is no consequence to reporting the funds, as long as they were legitimately obtained, so just report and file.