Actually this is for a friend traveling to Jordan from LAX through Chicago. He want to know how much cash he can carry without a problem with authorities. He want to take $10,000. He is Iraqi american.

Shouldn't he be checking with Jordan, which is another board? He's not allowed to take more than $10K out of US, I think, by US rules.

I thought you couldn't bring more than $10K INTO the US...or at least that is where I've had friends run into problems. Even a check that is endorsed is considered cash by border control.

I agree that you should be checking with the Jordanian authorities as you don't go thru customs or immigration when leaving the US.

there is no limit on how much money you can take out of the US - but you need to declare amounts of $10K or more. Assuming the money is from legal sources, he should be able to take as much as he wants. No idea how much he can take INTO Jordan.

You can bring as much money as you want, but if it's over $10K - either in or out - you need to declare it to US Customs and fill out form FinCen 105.

Information at www.cbp.gov.

And yes, travelers' checks and money order are included.

>He want to take $10,000. He is Iraqi american.<

You are kidding, right?

In case you are not, I suggest that your friend bring a bank draft or Traveler's Checks instead of cash.

He is going to set off alarms.

Also, note that any amount over $10,000 must be reported.

It is a crime to avoid this reporting requirement by two people traveling together taking $5000 each, or by buying two $5000 bank drafts, etc, etc.

Is it really, Ira? I had no idea. And, here I thought splitting up the cash between two non-related persons traveling together was okay. Oops.

I guess it is that he can take more than $10K out, but would have to file special forms, etc. Which I assumed he did not want to do and did not want to have records on himself with the US State Dept, etc. I sure wouldn't.

I think most countries have limits both on taking stuff out and bringing it in. That much be how he came up with the $10K.

I think there's a reason most countries don;t want you traveling around with amounts of money more than $10,000.

It has to do with the IRS - you know - income taxes (that's why US banks have to report cash deposits of $10,000 or more).

Also money laundering for drug dealers.

And perhaps others who are even worse.

Now - it's none of my business what he's dong - but it seems to me the simplest way to find out would just be to ask customs. If he doesn;t want them to know about it - perhaps we shouldn't be encouraging him.

Hi Statia,

>I thought splitting up the cash between two non-related persons traveling together was okay.<

You are conspiring to avoid the reporting requirements.

It's OK to take as much money as you wish, but you have to report it.

Why is this on the Europe board ?

Why not?

Easier just to bring traveler checks or a visa card with you. If not you could have your bank wire money to you (very costly).

Don't they cover this in Al-qaida 101 ??!! Why don't you give us his name & I'll be happy to forward it on to my friends at the FBI ?

Ira, I see your point, but on the same note if I am traveling with a friend who is a non-relative, and we aren't even entering the US "together" because she is a non-citizen, and I happen to have $4,000 of my own money on me, and she has $6,000 of her own money on her, that is a no-no just because we are technically traveling together?

Exactly what I was thinking SAn Paris!
What does this guy intend to buy with all this cash??

Ira - why not ? Because this doesn't seem to involve travelling to Europe.

Hi S,

Your example is different in that you have two people who just happen to be traveling alongside each other.

For the OP to arrange for a friend to take some money in order for him to be below the $10,000 reporting limit would be a violation of the rules.

Whatever happened to the OP?

I was presuming StephenG was not aiding and abetting a terrorist. Just an assumption.

There are wars going on in that region, and it is certainly possible a person could be traveling there with money to help out relatives, or something like that. This is not that incredible to me, as I know some Iraqi-Americans and people who travel to that general area for work or other reasons.

"Don't they cover this in Al-qaida 101 ??!! Why don't you give us his name & I'll be happy to forward it on to my friends at the FBI ?..."

I think the sitter isn't doing her job now that she's allowed you access to the keyboard...AGAIN!!!!