What happens if you declare more than $10,000 at the US border?What happens if RFID system in my...
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What happens if you declare more than $10,000 at the US border?
What happens if RFID system in my “biometric” travel passport malfunctions when I cross the border?Casual study in the USAWith the ESTA visa-waiver for the US, what if you have a reason to need more than 90 days?USA, travelling with more than USD 10,000Do I have to declare less than $10,000 in cash to US customs when coming back from vacation?What happens if you declare an item and it is confiscated?Does cash over USD 10,000 need to be declared before boarding a domestic flight connecting to an international flight?Do you need to declare jewelry when flying?What happens when entering the US on an international flight?How long can a Canadian stay in the US as a visitor after the TN status 60 days grace period?
Let's say I need to bring over $10,000 into the US and decide to use cash to save on transfer fees. What would happen at the border when I declare all that cash? Would CBP briefly question me on the source of funds or require some proof to confirm that the funds are from a legal source?
Are there any official guidelines on this matter?
usa customs-and-immigration
asked yesterday
JonathanReez♦JonathanReez
49.3k40237506
|
show 4 more comments
Let's say I need to bring over $10,000 into the US and decide to use cash to save on transfer fees. What would happen at the border when I declare all that cash? Would CBP briefly question me on the source of funds or require some proof to confirm that the funds are from a legal source?
Are there any official guidelines on this matter?
usa customs-and-immigration
asked yesterday
JonathanReez♦JonathanReez
49.3k40237506
24
One friend did and it was just a matter of filling out a form but since then has been stopped for question every single time he enters into the US. It's a one-point statistic, so think of it as you wish, but I would not be surprised if this happens often.
– Itai
yesterday
1
@R.. The requirements on reporting specify "monetary instruments", not just cash. I once did a round the world trip in 1991 with over $USD10k in travelers cheques on me and as such would have had to declare it if I came thorough the US at the time.
– Peter M
yesterday
1
This doesn't really directly answer the question, but is more of a frame challenge: Has the hypothetical person asking this question looked into whether their country has bank accounts available that refund ATM fees? This would be far safer than carrying $10,000+ USD by hand into the U.S. (or any other country, for that matter.) For USA residents, Charles Schwab offers free checking accounts that refund ATM fees worldwide, which is incredibly useful while traveling, but I'm not sure how common such accounts are outside of the US. Also, lots of US cards don't charge foreign transaction fees.
– reirab
yesterday
1
I haven't looked into it in a while, but some years ago you could purchase American Express traveler's checks, then record serial numbers and shred them. Upon arrival into your destination country, declare them as accidentally destroyed/lost/whatever. Amex (at the time) would simply issue replacement checks for whole amount (unless of course you used any of them).
– Aleks G
21 hours ago
1
@PaŭloEbermann Yes, that's true. But then most tourists don't need to take out $10,000 cash in a day (or the entire trip for that matter) when visiting the US. Honestly, using a credit/charge card with no foreign transaction fees is the best plan for the vast majority of purposes in the U.S. But, when you do need cash, just getting the amount you need from an ATM is a much better plan than carrying $10,000+ cash around with you.
– reirab
15 hours ago
|
show 4 more comments
Let's say I need to bring over $10,000 into the US and decide to use cash to save on transfer fees. What would happen at the border when I declare all that cash? Would CBP briefly question me on the source of funds or require some proof to confirm that the funds are from a legal source?
Are there any official guidelines on this matter?
usa customs-and-immigration
asked yesterday
JonathanReez♦JonathanReez
49.3k40237506
Let's say I need to bring over $10,000 into the US and decide to use cash to save on transfer fees. What would happen at the border when I declare all that cash? Would CBP briefly question me on the source of funds or require some proof to confirm that the funds are from a legal source?
Are there any official guidelines on this matter?
usa customs-and-immigration
usa customs-and-immigration
asked yesterday
JonathanReez♦JonathanReez
49.3k40237506
asked yesterday
JonathanReez♦JonathanReez
49.3k40237506
asked yesterday
JonathanReez♦JonathanReez
49.3k40237506
asked yesterday
JonathanReez♦JonathanReez
49.3k40237506
asked yesterday
JonathanReez♦JonathanReez
49.3k40237506
49.3k40237506
24
One friend did and it was just a matter of filling out a form but since then has been stopped for question every single time he enters into the US. It's a one-point statistic, so think of it as you wish, but I would not be surprised if this happens often.
– Itai
yesterday
1
@R.. The requirements on reporting specify "monetary instruments", not just cash. I once did a round the world trip in 1991 with over $USD10k in travelers cheques on me and as such would have had to declare it if I came thorough the US at the time.
– Peter M
yesterday
1
This doesn't really directly answer the question, but is more of a frame challenge: Has the hypothetical person asking this question looked into whether their country has bank accounts available that refund ATM fees? This would be far safer than carrying $10,000+ USD by hand into the U.S. (or any other country, for that matter.) For USA residents, Charles Schwab offers free checking accounts that refund ATM fees worldwide, which is incredibly useful while traveling, but I'm not sure how common such accounts are outside of the US. Also, lots of US cards don't charge foreign transaction fees.
– reirab
yesterday
1
I haven't looked into it in a while, but some years ago you could purchase American Express traveler's checks, then record serial numbers and shred them. Upon arrival into your destination country, declare them as accidentally destroyed/lost/whatever. Amex (at the time) would simply issue replacement checks for whole amount (unless of course you used any of them).
– Aleks G
21 hours ago
1
@PaŭloEbermann Yes, that's true. But then most tourists don't need to take out $10,000 cash in a day (or the entire trip for that matter) when visiting the US. Honestly, using a credit/charge card with no foreign transaction fees is the best plan for the vast majority of purposes in the U.S. But, when you do need cash, just getting the amount you need from an ATM is a much better plan than carrying $10,000+ cash around with you.
– reirab
15 hours ago
|
show 4 more comments
24
One friend did and it was just a matter of filling out a form but since then has been stopped for question every single time he enters into the US. It's a one-point statistic, so think of it as you wish, but I would not be surprised if this happens often.
– Itai
yesterday
1
@R.. The requirements on reporting specify "monetary instruments", not just cash. I once did a round the world trip in 1991 with over $USD10k in travelers cheques on me and as such would have had to declare it if I came thorough the US at the time.
– Peter M
yesterday
1
This doesn't really directly answer the question, but is more of a frame challenge: Has the hypothetical person asking this question looked into whether their country has bank accounts available that refund ATM fees? This would be far safer than carrying $10,000+ USD by hand into the U.S. (or any other country, for that matter.) For USA residents, Charles Schwab offers free checking accounts that refund ATM fees worldwide, which is incredibly useful while traveling, but I'm not sure how common such accounts are outside of the US. Also, lots of US cards don't charge foreign transaction fees.
– reirab
yesterday
1
I haven't looked into it in a while, but some years ago you could purchase American Express traveler's checks, then record serial numbers and shred them. Upon arrival into your destination country, declare them as accidentally destroyed/lost/whatever. Amex (at the time) would simply issue replacement checks for whole amount (unless of course you used any of them).
– Aleks G
21 hours ago
1
@PaŭloEbermann Yes, that's true. But then most tourists don't need to take out $10,000 cash in a day (or the entire trip for that matter) when visiting the US. Honestly, using a credit/charge card with no foreign transaction fees is the best plan for the vast majority of purposes in the U.S. But, when you do need cash, just getting the amount you need from an ATM is a much better plan than carrying $10,000+ cash around with you.
– reirab
15 hours ago
24
24
One friend did and it was just a matter of filling out a form but since then has been stopped for question every single time he enters into the US. It's a one-point statistic, so think of it as you wish, but I would not be surprised if this happens often.
– Itai
yesterday
One friend did and it was just a matter of filling out a form but since then has been stopped for question every single time he enters into the US. It's a one-point statistic, so think of it as you wish, but I would not be surprised if this happens often.
– Itai
yesterday
1
1
@R.. The requirements on reporting specify "monetary instruments", not just cash. I once did a round the world trip in 1991 with over $USD10k in travelers cheques on me and as such would have had to declare it if I came thorough the US at the time.
– Peter M
yesterday
@R.. The requirements on reporting specify "monetary instruments", not just cash. I once did a round the world trip in 1991 with over $USD10k in travelers cheques on me and as such would have had to declare it if I came thorough the US at the time.
– Peter M
yesterday
1
1
This doesn't really directly answer the question, but is more of a frame challenge: Has the hypothetical person asking this question looked into whether their country has bank accounts available that refund ATM fees? This would be far safer than carrying $10,000+ USD by hand into the U.S. (or any other country, for that matter.) For USA residents, Charles Schwab offers free checking accounts that refund ATM fees worldwide, which is incredibly useful while traveling, but I'm not sure how common such accounts are outside of the US. Also, lots of US cards don't charge foreign transaction fees.
– reirab
yesterday
This doesn't really directly answer the question, but is more of a frame challenge: Has the hypothetical person asking this question looked into whether their country has bank accounts available that refund ATM fees? This would be far safer than carrying $10,000+ USD by hand into the U.S. (or any other country, for that matter.) For USA residents, Charles Schwab offers free checking accounts that refund ATM fees worldwide, which is incredibly useful while traveling, but I'm not sure how common such accounts are outside of the US. Also, lots of US cards don't charge foreign transaction fees.
– reirab
yesterday
1
1
I haven't looked into it in a while, but some years ago you could purchase American Express traveler's checks, then record serial numbers and shred them. Upon arrival into your destination country, declare them as accidentally destroyed/lost/whatever. Amex (at the time) would simply issue replacement checks for whole amount (unless of course you used any of them).
– Aleks G
21 hours ago
I haven't looked into it in a while, but some years ago you could purchase American Express traveler's checks, then record serial numbers and shred them. Upon arrival into your destination country, declare them as accidentally destroyed/lost/whatever. Amex (at the time) would simply issue replacement checks for whole amount (unless of course you used any of them).
– Aleks G
21 hours ago
1
1
@PaŭloEbermann Yes, that's true. But then most tourists don't need to take out $10,000 cash in a day (or the entire trip for that matter) when visiting the US. Honestly, using a credit/charge card with no foreign transaction fees is the best plan for the vast majority of purposes in the U.S. But, when you do need cash, just getting the amount you need from an ATM is a much better plan than carrying $10,000+ cash around with you.
– reirab
15 hours ago
@PaŭloEbermann Yes, that's true. But then most tourists don't need to take out $10,000 cash in a day (or the entire trip for that matter) when visiting the US. Honestly, using a credit/charge card with no foreign transaction fees is the best plan for the vast majority of purposes in the U.S. But, when you do need cash, just getting the amount you need from an ATM is a much better plan than carrying $10,000+ cash around with you.
– reirab
15 hours ago
|
show 4 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
I've done this once (doing all the right paperwork up front). They pulled us out for questioning: "where does the money come from" "why do you need this" "what are you planning do to with this", "why do you use cash", etc.
The amount of questioning will depend on how much you fit into any "suspicious" category otherwise. There is plenty of profiling going on there. Fortunately we were "mostly harmless" for everything else (white, middle class, small children it tow, from a "good" country).
You also need to be careful how this looks against your visa status. If you have a non-immigrant Visa or an ESTA, carrying lots of cash can be interpreted as "intent to immigrate", in which case they can turn you around and sent you back.
Unfortunately customs and immigration officers in the US have a lot of leeway and discretion and not a lot of rules to keep them grounded. Could be harmless, could be lots of trouble, hard to predict.
answered yesterday
HilmarHilmar
21.7k13571
4
With regard to your third paragraph: were you entering as a visitor when you declared your cash?
– phoog
yesterday
3
Yes. I think I had a B2 at the time.
– Hilmar
yesterday
add a comment |
You simply fill out a form at the border. See the official CBP page Currency / Monetary Instruments - Duty on money, checks, etc.
Travelers leaving or entering the U.S. are required to report
negotiable monetary instruments (i.e. currency or endorsed checks)
valued more than $10,000 on a "Report of International Transportation
of Currency or Monetary Instruments" FinCEN Form 105. The requirement
to report currency on a FinCEN 105 does not apply to imports of gold
bullion. You can obtain the form at www.fincen.gov or request one from
the CBP Officer if required.
Failure to declare currency in amounts more than $10,000 can result in
its seizure.
From Form 105
Travelers carrying currency or other monetary instruments with them
shall file FinCEN Form 105 at the time of entry into the United States
or at the time of departure from the United States with the Customs
officer in charge at any Customs port of entry or departure.
and
PENALTIES: Civil and criminal penalties, including under certain
circumstances a fine of not more than $500,000 and Imprisonment of not
more than ten years, are provided for failure to file a report, filing
a report containing a material omission or misstatement, or filing a
false or fraudulent report. In addition, the currency or monetary
instrument may be subject to seizure and forfeiture. See 31 U.S.C.5321
and 31 CFR 1010.820; 31 U.S.C. 5322 and 31 CFR 1010.840; 31 U.S.C.
5317 and 31 CFR 1010.830, and U.S.C. 5332.
NOTE that the form itself contains no fields requiring you to justify where the funds were obtained from. However I would expect that declaring the money would trigger some sort of process that flags you as having carried the money across the border. I also expect that whether or not you are questioned more throughly would depend on a lot of things from who you are to where you are coming from.
NOTE also that simply carrying a large sum of currency in the US puts you at risk of Civil Forfeiture by local police departments. There have been many cases of people carrying legitimately obtained funds being stopped by police (for example traffic stop) and having those funds confiscated. You do not even have to be convicted of a crime for this to happen. As such I don't recommend traveling with large sums of cash in the US.
answered yesterday
Peter MPeter M
6,7392236
14
+1 for civil forfeiture. Carrying large amounts of cash is just idiotic.
– R..
yesterday
32
@R.. Civil Forfeiture laws are evil. They are "guilty before proven innocent" laws that also financially benefit the people confiscating the cash.
– Peter M
yesterday
16
@R.. Not being aware of some American traditions isn't the same as being stupid.
– Franck Dernoncourt
yesterday
23
@R.. It is unreasonable for a normal person in the US to consider that their legally obtained private property will be confiscated by the very people who are charged with protecting them from criminals who would rob them of said property.
– Peter M
yesterday
10
@PeterM I completely agree with you in regards to civil forfeiture. Honestly, I think it's a clear violation of the 4th Amendment and should be struck down as such. That said, I also tend to agree with R that carrying large amounts of cash for no good reason is kind of stupid (not just in the USA, but anywhere.) There are pickpockets/thieves in every country (and, in quite a few countries, those people also happen to frequently be corrupt police.)
– reirab
yesterday
|
show 11 more comments
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2 Answers
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active
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
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oldest
votes
I've done this once (doing all the right paperwork up front). They pulled us out for questioning: "where does the money come from" "why do you need this" "what are you planning do to with this", "why do you use cash", etc.
The amount of questioning will depend on how much you fit into any "suspicious" category otherwise. There is plenty of profiling going on there. Fortunately we were "mostly harmless" for everything else (white, middle class, small children it tow, from a "good" country).
You also need to be careful how this looks against your visa status. If you have a non-immigrant Visa or an ESTA, carrying lots of cash can be interpreted as "intent to immigrate", in which case they can turn you around and sent you back.
Unfortunately customs and immigration officers in the US have a lot of leeway and discretion and not a lot of rules to keep them grounded. Could be harmless, could be lots of trouble, hard to predict.
answered yesterday
HilmarHilmar
21.7k13571
4
With regard to your third paragraph: were you entering as a visitor when you declared your cash?
– phoog
yesterday
3
Yes. I think I had a B2 at the time.
– Hilmar
yesterday
add a comment |
I've done this once (doing all the right paperwork up front). They pulled us out for questioning: "where does the money come from" "why do you need this" "what are you planning do to with this", "why do you use cash", etc.
The amount of questioning will depend on how much you fit into any "suspicious" category otherwise. There is plenty of profiling going on there. Fortunately we were "mostly harmless" for everything else (white, middle class, small children it tow, from a "good" country).
You also need to be careful how this looks against your visa status. If you have a non-immigrant Visa or an ESTA, carrying lots of cash can be interpreted as "intent to immigrate", in which case they can turn you around and sent you back.
Unfortunately customs and immigration officers in the US have a lot of leeway and discretion and not a lot of rules to keep them grounded. Could be harmless, could be lots of trouble, hard to predict.
answered yesterday
HilmarHilmar
21.7k13571
4
With regard to your third paragraph: were you entering as a visitor when you declared your cash?
– phoog
yesterday
3
Yes. I think I had a B2 at the time.
– Hilmar
yesterday
add a comment |
I've done this once (doing all the right paperwork up front). They pulled us out for questioning: "where does the money come from" "why do you need this" "what are you planning do to with this", "why do you use cash", etc.
The amount of questioning will depend on how much you fit into any "suspicious" category otherwise. There is plenty of profiling going on there. Fortunately we were "mostly harmless" for everything else (white, middle class, small children it tow, from a "good" country).
You also need to be careful how this looks against your visa status. If you have a non-immigrant Visa or an ESTA, carrying lots of cash can be interpreted as "intent to immigrate", in which case they can turn you around and sent you back.
Unfortunately customs and immigration officers in the US have a lot of leeway and discretion and not a lot of rules to keep them grounded. Could be harmless, could be lots of trouble, hard to predict.
answered yesterday
HilmarHilmar
21.7k13571
I've done this once (doing all the right paperwork up front). They pulled us out for questioning: "where does the money come from" "why do you need this" "what are you planning do to with this", "why do you use cash", etc.
The amount of questioning will depend on how much you fit into any "suspicious" category otherwise. There is plenty of profiling going on there. Fortunately we were "mostly harmless" for everything else (white, middle class, small children it tow, from a "good" country).
You also need to be careful how this looks against your visa status. If you have a non-immigrant Visa or an ESTA, carrying lots of cash can be interpreted as "intent to immigrate", in which case they can turn you around and sent you back.
Unfortunately customs and immigration officers in the US have a lot of leeway and discretion and not a lot of rules to keep them grounded. Could be harmless, could be lots of trouble, hard to predict.
answered yesterday
HilmarHilmar
21.7k13571
answered yesterday
HilmarHilmar
21.7k13571
answered yesterday
HilmarHilmar
21.7k13571
answered yesterday
HilmarHilmar
21.7k13571
21.7k13571
4
With regard to your third paragraph: were you entering as a visitor when you declared your cash?
– phoog
yesterday
3
Yes. I think I had a B2 at the time.
– Hilmar
yesterday
add a comment |
4
With regard to your third paragraph: were you entering as a visitor when you declared your cash?
– phoog
yesterday
3
Yes. I think I had a B2 at the time.
– Hilmar
yesterday
4
4
With regard to your third paragraph: were you entering as a visitor when you declared your cash?
– phoog
yesterday
With regard to your third paragraph: were you entering as a visitor when you declared your cash?
– phoog
yesterday
3
3
Yes. I think I had a B2 at the time.
– Hilmar
yesterday
Yes. I think I had a B2 at the time.
– Hilmar
yesterday
add a comment |
You simply fill out a form at the border. See the official CBP page Currency / Monetary Instruments - Duty on money, checks, etc.
Travelers leaving or entering the U.S. are required to report
negotiable monetary instruments (i.e. currency or endorsed checks)
valued more than $10,000 on a "Report of International Transportation
of Currency or Monetary Instruments" FinCEN Form 105. The requirement
to report currency on a FinCEN 105 does not apply to imports of gold
bullion. You can obtain the form at www.fincen.gov or request one from
the CBP Officer if required.
Failure to declare currency in amounts more than $10,000 can result in
its seizure.
From Form 105
Travelers carrying currency or other monetary instruments with them
shall file FinCEN Form 105 at the time of entry into the United States
or at the time of departure from the United States with the Customs
officer in charge at any Customs port of entry or departure.
and
PENALTIES: Civil and criminal penalties, including under certain
circumstances a fine of not more than $500,000 and Imprisonment of not
more than ten years, are provided for failure to file a report, filing
a report containing a material omission or misstatement, or filing a
false or fraudulent report. In addition, the currency or monetary
instrument may be subject to seizure and forfeiture. See 31 U.S.C.5321
and 31 CFR 1010.820; 31 U.S.C. 5322 and 31 CFR 1010.840; 31 U.S.C.
5317 and 31 CFR 1010.830, and U.S.C. 5332.
NOTE that the form itself contains no fields requiring you to justify where the funds were obtained from. However I would expect that declaring the money would trigger some sort of process that flags you as having carried the money across the border. I also expect that whether or not you are questioned more throughly would depend on a lot of things from who you are to where you are coming from.
NOTE also that simply carrying a large sum of currency in the US puts you at risk of Civil Forfeiture by local police departments. There have been many cases of people carrying legitimately obtained funds being stopped by police (for example traffic stop) and having those funds confiscated. You do not even have to be convicted of a crime for this to happen. As such I don't recommend traveling with large sums of cash in the US.
answered yesterday
Peter MPeter M
6,7392236
14
+1 for civil forfeiture. Carrying large amounts of cash is just idiotic.
– R..
yesterday
32
@R.. Civil Forfeiture laws are evil. They are "guilty before proven innocent" laws that also financially benefit the people confiscating the cash.
– Peter M
yesterday
16
@R.. Not being aware of some American traditions isn't the same as being stupid.
– Franck Dernoncourt
yesterday
23
@R.. It is unreasonable for a normal person in the US to consider that their legally obtained private property will be confiscated by the very people who are charged with protecting them from criminals who would rob them of said property.
– Peter M
yesterday
10
@PeterM I completely agree with you in regards to civil forfeiture. Honestly, I think it's a clear violation of the 4th Amendment and should be struck down as such. That said, I also tend to agree with R that carrying large amounts of cash for no good reason is kind of stupid (not just in the USA, but anywhere.) There are pickpockets/thieves in every country (and, in quite a few countries, those people also happen to frequently be corrupt police.)
– reirab
yesterday
|
show 11 more comments
You simply fill out a form at the border. See the official CBP page Currency / Monetary Instruments - Duty on money, checks, etc.
Travelers leaving or entering the U.S. are required to report
negotiable monetary instruments (i.e. currency or endorsed checks)
valued more than $10,000 on a "Report of International Transportation
of Currency or Monetary Instruments" FinCEN Form 105. The requirement
to report currency on a FinCEN 105 does not apply to imports of gold
bullion. You can obtain the form at www.fincen.gov or request one from
the CBP Officer if required.
Failure to declare currency in amounts more than $10,000 can result in
its seizure.
From Form 105
Travelers carrying currency or other monetary instruments with them
shall file FinCEN Form 105 at the time of entry into the United States
or at the time of departure from the United States with the Customs
officer in charge at any Customs port of entry or departure.
and
PENALTIES: Civil and criminal penalties, including under certain
circumstances a fine of not more than $500,000 and Imprisonment of not
more than ten years, are provided for failure to file a report, filing
a report containing a material omission or misstatement, or filing a
false or fraudulent report. In addition, the currency or monetary
instrument may be subject to seizure and forfeiture. See 31 U.S.C.5321
and 31 CFR 1010.820; 31 U.S.C. 5322 and 31 CFR 1010.840; 31 U.S.C.
5317 and 31 CFR 1010.830, and U.S.C. 5332.
NOTE that the form itself contains no fields requiring you to justify where the funds were obtained from. However I would expect that declaring the money would trigger some sort of process that flags you as having carried the money across the border. I also expect that whether or not you are questioned more throughly would depend on a lot of things from who you are to where you are coming from.
NOTE also that simply carrying a large sum of currency in the US puts you at risk of Civil Forfeiture by local police departments. There have been many cases of people carrying legitimately obtained funds being stopped by police (for example traffic stop) and having those funds confiscated. You do not even have to be convicted of a crime for this to happen. As such I don't recommend traveling with large sums of cash in the US.
answered yesterday
Peter MPeter M
6,7392236
14
+1 for civil forfeiture. Carrying large amounts of cash is just idiotic.
– R..
yesterday
32
@R.. Civil Forfeiture laws are evil. They are "guilty before proven innocent" laws that also financially benefit the people confiscating the cash.
– Peter M
yesterday
16
@R.. Not being aware of some American traditions isn't the same as being stupid.
– Franck Dernoncourt
yesterday
23
@R.. It is unreasonable for a normal person in the US to consider that their legally obtained private property will be confiscated by the very people who are charged with protecting them from criminals who would rob them of said property.
– Peter M
yesterday
10
@PeterM I completely agree with you in regards to civil forfeiture. Honestly, I think it's a clear violation of the 4th Amendment and should be struck down as such. That said, I also tend to agree with R that carrying large amounts of cash for no good reason is kind of stupid (not just in the USA, but anywhere.) There are pickpockets/thieves in every country (and, in quite a few countries, those people also happen to frequently be corrupt police.)
– reirab
yesterday
|
show 11 more comments
You simply fill out a form at the border. See the official CBP page Currency / Monetary Instruments - Duty on money, checks, etc.
Travelers leaving or entering the U.S. are required to report
negotiable monetary instruments (i.e. currency or endorsed checks)
valued more than $10,000 on a "Report of International Transportation
of Currency or Monetary Instruments" FinCEN Form 105. The requirement
to report currency on a FinCEN 105 does not apply to imports of gold
bullion. You can obtain the form at www.fincen.gov or request one from
the CBP Officer if required.
Failure to declare currency in amounts more than $10,000 can result in
its seizure.
From Form 105
Travelers carrying currency or other monetary instruments with them
shall file FinCEN Form 105 at the time of entry into the United States
or at the time of departure from the United States with the Customs
officer in charge at any Customs port of entry or departure.
and
PENALTIES: Civil and criminal penalties, including under certain
circumstances a fine of not more than $500,000 and Imprisonment of not
more than ten years, are provided for failure to file a report, filing
a report containing a material omission or misstatement, or filing a
false or fraudulent report. In addition, the currency or monetary
instrument may be subject to seizure and forfeiture. See 31 U.S.C.5321
and 31 CFR 1010.820; 31 U.S.C. 5322 and 31 CFR 1010.840; 31 U.S.C.
5317 and 31 CFR 1010.830, and U.S.C. 5332.
NOTE that the form itself contains no fields requiring you to justify where the funds were obtained from. However I would expect that declaring the money would trigger some sort of process that flags you as having carried the money across the border. I also expect that whether or not you are questioned more throughly would depend on a lot of things from who you are to where you are coming from.
NOTE also that simply carrying a large sum of currency in the US puts you at risk of Civil Forfeiture by local police departments. There have been many cases of people carrying legitimately obtained funds being stopped by police (for example traffic stop) and having those funds confiscated. You do not even have to be convicted of a crime for this to happen. As such I don't recommend traveling with large sums of cash in the US.
answered yesterday
Peter MPeter M
6,7392236
You simply fill out a form at the border. See the official CBP page Currency / Monetary Instruments - Duty on money, checks, etc.
Travelers leaving or entering the U.S. are required to report
negotiable monetary instruments (i.e. currency or endorsed checks)
valued more than $10,000 on a "Report of International Transportation
of Currency or Monetary Instruments" FinCEN Form 105. The requirement
to report currency on a FinCEN 105 does not apply to imports of gold
bullion. You can obtain the form at www.fincen.gov or request one from
the CBP Officer if required.
Failure to declare currency in amounts more than $10,000 can result in
its seizure.
From Form 105
Travelers carrying currency or other monetary instruments with them
shall file FinCEN Form 105 at the time of entry into the United States
or at the time of departure from the United States with the Customs
officer in charge at any Customs port of entry or departure.
and
PENALTIES: Civil and criminal penalties, including under certain
circumstances a fine of not more than $500,000 and Imprisonment of not
more than ten years, are provided for failure to file a report, filing
a report containing a material omission or misstatement, or filing a
false or fraudulent report. In addition, the currency or monetary
instrument may be subject to seizure and forfeiture. See 31 U.S.C.5321
and 31 CFR 1010.820; 31 U.S.C. 5322 and 31 CFR 1010.840; 31 U.S.C.
5317 and 31 CFR 1010.830, and U.S.C. 5332.
NOTE that the form itself contains no fields requiring you to justify where the funds were obtained from. However I would expect that declaring the money would trigger some sort of process that flags you as having carried the money across the border. I also expect that whether or not you are questioned more throughly would depend on a lot of things from who you are to where you are coming from.
NOTE also that simply carrying a large sum of currency in the US puts you at risk of Civil Forfeiture by local police departments. There have been many cases of people carrying legitimately obtained funds being stopped by police (for example traffic stop) and having those funds confiscated. You do not even have to be convicted of a crime for this to happen. As such I don't recommend traveling with large sums of cash in the US.
answered yesterday
Peter MPeter M
6,7392236
edited yesterday
answered yesterday
Peter MPeter M
6,7392236
answered yesterday
Peter MPeter M
6,7392236
answered yesterday
Peter MPeter M
6,7392236
6,7392236
14
+1 for civil forfeiture. Carrying large amounts of cash is just idiotic.
– R..
yesterday
32
@R.. Civil Forfeiture laws are evil. They are "guilty before proven innocent" laws that also financially benefit the people confiscating the cash.
– Peter M
yesterday
16
@R.. Not being aware of some American traditions isn't the same as being stupid.
– Franck Dernoncourt
yesterday
23
@R.. It is unreasonable for a normal person in the US to consider that their legally obtained private property will be confiscated by the very people who are charged with protecting them from criminals who would rob them of said property.
– Peter M
yesterday
10
@PeterM I completely agree with you in regards to civil forfeiture. Honestly, I think it's a clear violation of the 4th Amendment and should be struck down as such. That said, I also tend to agree with R that carrying large amounts of cash for no good reason is kind of stupid (not just in the USA, but anywhere.) There are pickpockets/thieves in every country (and, in quite a few countries, those people also happen to frequently be corrupt police.)
– reirab
yesterday
|
show 11 more comments
14
+1 for civil forfeiture. Carrying large amounts of cash is just idiotic.
– R..
yesterday
32
@R.. Civil Forfeiture laws are evil. They are "guilty before proven innocent" laws that also financially benefit the people confiscating the cash.
– Peter M
yesterday
16
@R.. Not being aware of some American traditions isn't the same as being stupid.
– Franck Dernoncourt
yesterday
23
@R.. It is unreasonable for a normal person in the US to consider that their legally obtained private property will be confiscated by the very people who are charged with protecting them from criminals who would rob them of said property.
– Peter M
yesterday
10
@PeterM I completely agree with you in regards to civil forfeiture. Honestly, I think it's a clear violation of the 4th Amendment and should be struck down as such. That said, I also tend to agree with R that carrying large amounts of cash for no good reason is kind of stupid (not just in the USA, but anywhere.) There are pickpockets/thieves in every country (and, in quite a few countries, those people also happen to frequently be corrupt police.)
– reirab
yesterday
14
14
+1 for civil forfeiture. Carrying large amounts of cash is just idiotic.
– R..
yesterday
+1 for civil forfeiture. Carrying large amounts of cash is just idiotic.
– R..
yesterday
32
32
@R.. Civil Forfeiture laws are evil. They are "guilty before proven innocent" laws that also financially benefit the people confiscating the cash.
– Peter M
yesterday
@R.. Civil Forfeiture laws are evil. They are "guilty before proven innocent" laws that also financially benefit the people confiscating the cash.
– Peter M
yesterday
16
16
@R.. Not being aware of some American traditions isn't the same as being stupid.
– Franck Dernoncourt
yesterday
@R.. Not being aware of some American traditions isn't the same as being stupid.
– Franck Dernoncourt
yesterday
23
23
@R.. It is unreasonable for a normal person in the US to consider that their legally obtained private property will be confiscated by the very people who are charged with protecting them from criminals who would rob them of said property.
– Peter M
yesterday
@R.. It is unreasonable for a normal person in the US to consider that their legally obtained private property will be confiscated by the very people who are charged with protecting them from criminals who would rob them of said property.
– Peter M
yesterday
10
10
@PeterM I completely agree with you in regards to civil forfeiture. Honestly, I think it's a clear violation of the 4th Amendment and should be struck down as such. That said, I also tend to agree with R that carrying large amounts of cash for no good reason is kind of stupid (not just in the USA, but anywhere.) There are pickpockets/thieves in every country (and, in quite a few countries, those people also happen to frequently be corrupt police.)
– reirab
yesterday
@PeterM I completely agree with you in regards to civil forfeiture. Honestly, I think it's a clear violation of the 4th Amendment and should be struck down as such. That said, I also tend to agree with R that carrying large amounts of cash for no good reason is kind of stupid (not just in the USA, but anywhere.) There are pickpockets/thieves in every country (and, in quite a few countries, those people also happen to frequently be corrupt police.)
– reirab
yesterday
|
show 11 more comments
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24
One friend did and it was just a matter of filling out a form but since then has been stopped for question every single time he enters into the US. It's a one-point statistic, so think of it as you wish, but I would not be surprised if this happens often.
– Itai
yesterday
1
@R.. The requirements on reporting specify "monetary instruments", not just cash. I once did a round the world trip in 1991 with over $USD10k in travelers cheques on me and as such would have had to declare it if I came thorough the US at the time.
– Peter M
yesterday
1
This doesn't really directly answer the question, but is more of a frame challenge: Has the hypothetical person asking this question looked into whether their country has bank accounts available that refund ATM fees? This would be far safer than carrying $10,000+ USD by hand into the U.S. (or any other country, for that matter.) For USA residents, Charles Schwab offers free checking accounts that refund ATM fees worldwide, which is incredibly useful while traveling, but I'm not sure how common such accounts are outside of the US. Also, lots of US cards don't charge foreign transaction fees.
– reirab
yesterday
1
I haven't looked into it in a while, but some years ago you could purchase American Express traveler's checks, then record serial numbers and shred them. Upon arrival into your destination country, declare them as accidentally destroyed/lost/whatever. Amex (at the time) would simply issue replacement checks for whole amount (unless of course you used any of them).
– Aleks G
21 hours ago
1
@PaŭloEbermann Yes, that's true. But then most tourists don't need to take out $10,000 cash in a day (or the entire trip for that matter) when visiting the US. Honestly, using a credit/charge card with no foreign transaction fees is the best plan for the vast majority of purposes in the U.S. But, when you do need cash, just getting the amount you need from an ATM is a much better plan than carrying $10,000+ cash around with you.
– reirab
15 hours ago