$$Bringing US dollars into US$$

[reach449 2]

My fiancee will be exchanging money to US currency in her home country. It will be about $6000.00. She will bring this on her person when she does her POE. I know the customs form has the question; "Are you bringing more than $10,000.00 USD into the US?" So she is under the limit.

I am just concerned if they decide to do a random search the customs officials will delay her by having to count it. Has anyone's fiancee brought money into the USA and encountered problems? Just curious.

reach449

[Dan J 277]

I would really suggesting finding a way to electronically transfer the money. If anything traveling with that much money makes her a good target for theft.

You can actually bring more than $10k, but you have to report it for any amounts greater than $10k.

[reach449 2]

I would really suggesting finding a way to electronically transfer the money. If anything traveling with that much money makes her a good target for theft.

You can actually bring more than $10k, but you have to report it for any amounts greater than $10k.

Yeah, I know what you mean about theft. I have thought of that. But as long as no-one knows she is bringing it, she should be OK. It will be sealed and never taken out of her purse. She would loose just way too much money transferring it in rate decreases and fees. But I appreciate your advice.

reach449

[ktun 0]

I bought about $6K (sold car) into the US, but in Travellers Cheques, personally, I would not feel comfortable carrying that amount of cash with me. I was not asked questions about money, nor was I searched. However, like the previous poster, I would see if she could possibly wire the money or at least get Travellers Cheques just for security purposes.

Good Luck

[rika60607 215]

Now the whole world knows she's bringing money :lol:

[reach449 2]

Now the whole world knows she's bringing money

She is going to buy traveler's checks next week, since the whole world knows.

reach449

[thesnowman 1]

We brought over GBP and exchanged them over here and found that it was pain in the neck. We did get a slightly better exchange rate, but here in Kansas City no one had ever seen british money and only certain banks would change it and even then they didnt seem to have a clue on how to go about it.

in the end we had to wait 3 days to get our money exchanged as they said that they had to get it verified. My parents also had travellers checks when they came over and had problems getting them exchanged.

I know its just because Kansas City isnt that big a tourist destination, as when I went to vegas I could exchange cash easy, but here is was a pain. We just wished that we had either transfered it using pay pal or brought over dollars

[Ning 619]

My fiancee will be exchanging money to US currency in her home country. It will be about $6000.00. She will bring this on her person when she does her POE. I know the customs form has the question; "Are you bringing more than $10,000.00 USD into the US?" So she is under the limit.

I am just concerned if they decide to do a random search the customs officials will delay her by having to count it. Has anyone's fiancee brought money into the USA and encountered problems? Just curious.

reach449

I have never seen a random search of anyone not suspected of haveing something such as drugs ect. in my many entries into USA.

As far as cash they only ask about amounts in excess of 10 k as you know. I brought considerably more than that back & declared it with no questions asked because I did so. I had a reciept from my Thai bank but they did not ask. They are looking for people transfering large amounts used in drug money laundering or something like that.

[reach449 2]

My fiancee will be exchanging money to US currency in her home country. It will be about $6000.00. She will bring this on her person when she does her POE. I know the customs form has the question; "Are you bringing more than $10,000.00 USD into the US?" So she is under the limit.

I am just concerned if they decide to do a random search the customs officials will delay her by having to count it. Has anyone's fiancee brought money into the USA and encountered problems? Just curious.

reach449

I have never seen a random search of anyone not suspected of haveing something such as drugs ect. in my many entries into USA.

As far as cash they only ask about amounts in excess of 10 k as you know. I brought considerably more than that back & declared it with no questions asked because I did so. I had a reciept from my Thai bank but they did not ask. They are looking for people transfering large amounts used in drug money laundering or something like that.

What I meant by random searches is the ones they do when you go through customs. When you have to open your suitcases and back-packs. They do those randomly and a very often. I think they might call them "Agriculture inspections". Like I said she will probably be getting traveler's checks in USD if she can.

reach449

[Ning 619]

My fiancee will be exchanging money to US currency in her home country. It will be about $6000.00. She will bring this on her person when she does her POE. I know the customs form has the question; "Are you bringing more than $10,000.00 USD into the US?" So she is under the limit.

I am just concerned if they decide to do a random search the customs officials will delay her by having to count it. Has anyone's fiancee brought money into the USA and encountered problems? Just curious.

reach449

I have never seen a random search of anyone not suspected of haveing something such as drugs ect. in my many entries into USA.

As far as cash they only ask about amounts in excess of 10 k as you know. I brought considerably more than that back & declared it with no questions asked because I did so. I had a reciept from my Thai bank but they did not ask. They are looking for people transfering large amounts used in drug money laundering or something like that.

What I meant by random searches is the ones they do when you go through customs. When you have to open your suitcases and back-packs. They do those randomly and a very often. I think they might call them "Agriculture inspections". Like I said she will probably be getting traveler's checks in USD if she can.

reach449

The form states that money in any form or insturment over 10k is to be reported. Travelers checks included. If they do search her in random check point they have no reason to be concerned about that amount of money in any form.

I just returned & watched them send a few thru the secondary area but did not notice any problems. They did not seem to be checking very many from the several hundred that went thru with me.

[Empress 0]

when I was younger I used to visit the US during the summer and in december for xmas shopping (i'm a usc but I grew up in Jamaica). Anyhow the immigration officer asked what was the purpose of my trip abroad (I was like 15) so I told him I live and go to school in Jamaica with my parents and I came back to the US to do some xmas shopping. He's like how much money did you get for shopping. I said about 500. Then he asked to see it. I said my uncle will give it to me when he picks me up.

So it is possible they will ask to see it. I personally feel I was discriminated against because I traveled a lot that year, I am black and my dad just happened to be able to send me back just to shop. He grilled me about why I travel so much and what my parents do to be able to afford it. (both my parents are professionals with graduate degrees) that @$$

also if she is carrying valuables in addition to the 6 gs which together amount to more than 10 gs she will have to declare it. I think the reason that she is migrating is sufficient for them not to be suspicious of laundering.

Good luck and I think you're making a good decision to get the money orders

[gabby4ever 1]

how about 40 000 $ ??? how can i bring that in the states?? if i declare it at customs will they need any bank papers or something?? or what do i need to have with me to prove where that money came from?? i dont want to put them in traveler checks or in a bank to do a bank transfer so...

[bszoom42 0]

I would really suggesting finding a way to electronically transfer the money. If anything traveling with that much money makes her a good target for theft.

You can actually bring more than $10k, but you have to report it for any amounts greater than $10k.

In addition to theft; it is also potential target for confiscation under RICO. And if that happens, that will create lots of issues.

I agree with Dan + Gemvita - find a way to transfer the money electronically, or have it converted to a check.

[DAN02006 0]

Hi! I have been travelling to US on Tourist/Business Visa and carried currency & Travelers checks on work trips but was never asked about money at immigration or customs. But this time when i came on K1 (fiancee visa), the immigration officer asked me how much money i was carrying and since i knew the limit is $9999... i told him the exact amount i was carrying in cash and TCs. He smiled and asked not 10K? There was no search..nothing.

hope this helps. MY POE was SFO