Traveling with Cash: Problem at Customs?
Aug 14th, 2016, 05:42 PM
#21
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I'm reminded of the proverb, ' A fool and his money are soon parted,' and it is foolish to carry that much cash. Good Luck.
BTW, if you are a professor at a top ten university in the U.S., why are you bringing money into the country? I don't for a moment believe that line.
Troll?
BTW, if you are a professor at a top ten university in the U.S., why are you bringing money into the country? I don't for a moment believe that line.
Troll?
Aug 14th, 2016, 06:01 PM
#22
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Well, it is apparent you are not going to get answers either here or on the U.S. forum. You keep asking if any of us travel with large amounts of cash, but I very much doubt you will get responses from any of us because none of us considers this a normal or sensible practice.
The last time I traveled with a large amount of cash was in 1973, when such activity did make a little sense. Today, it makes none at all.
If you insist on doing this you must be prepared to take whatever consequences; from theft by muggers to confiscation by customs.
The last time I traveled with a large amount of cash was in 1973, when such activity did make a little sense. Today, it makes none at all.
If you insist on doing this you must be prepared to take whatever consequences; from theft by muggers to confiscation by customs.
Aug 14th, 2016, 06:01 PM
#23
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I find it funny people are talking about exchange bureaus and "10%" commission or whatever. We must travel on different planets.
Here's the story on ATM's vs cash. If you travel, as I suspect many of you do, for a week or two in France or Germany, then indeed it is more convenient to use an ATM. If you travel for longer, for periods of months like I do, and often in countries that are not as developed, then locals welcome dollars. You pay in dollars for apartments that you rent by the month, and there's no 10% or any commission for exchanging to a local currency. In fact you will often get commercial rate or better because locals want dollars, so they're willing to give you an excellent rate (they even take a loss to be able to receive dollars).
The downsides of using ATM's are too many to count, but I listed some of them already. First, your cards do get cloned, and this happend to me twice. It's then a pain to get your money back from the bank. Second, your bank, small or large, may at times block your account even if they know you're abroad. That's happened to me too many times to count. Third, you may get a good exchange rate, but there are often very high fees for each withdrawal: at least $5/withdrawal, and often higher. Given that foreign ATM's often have withdrawal limits that are very strict, you may end up losing quite a bit of money because you have to make multiple withdrawals. There are some banks like Charles Schwab that offer no foreign fees, but the local ATM's often do, and it also happens that the bank itself doesn't honor the no-fee policy. Then you have to fight them. There are many other problems as well--on top of not having the convenience of using cash for the reasons I stated above.
This is my advice for those who do want to travel and have been taken in by the "use ATM" nonsense. In many parts of the world, like Hong Kong, people rely on cash, even for very large transactions. In the USA and West Europe, governments that are broke and also increasingly controlling, want to spread suspicion about cash. (An attitude unfortunately that has been internalized by some posters on this thread. These are the same people who are OK with govt. monitoring your every move as long as "you have nothing to hide." Sorry, but I'm not a sheep.)
It's also possible the posters here are short-term travelers or business travelers and don't understand or care about the advantages I'm talking about, which apply to longer-term travelers. I'd like advice from people who do know and can give practical pointers and tell me what to expect.
I'm also interested in advice from people who are aware of, and don't deny, the abusive nature of US customs. It's not believable that anyone who's returned to the US from abroad hasn't experienced this abuse, no matter how well-off or respectable you look. What I'm doing is perfectly legal, this is my money, legally earned and already taxed. What I don't want is an unprofessional customs agent abusing the law and his authority. There are many examples of their doing this, and I want to know what the risks are.
Here's the story on ATM's vs cash. If you travel, as I suspect many of you do, for a week or two in France or Germany, then indeed it is more convenient to use an ATM. If you travel for longer, for periods of months like I do, and often in countries that are not as developed, then locals welcome dollars. You pay in dollars for apartments that you rent by the month, and there's no 10% or any commission for exchanging to a local currency. In fact you will often get commercial rate or better because locals want dollars, so they're willing to give you an excellent rate (they even take a loss to be able to receive dollars).
The downsides of using ATM's are too many to count, but I listed some of them already. First, your cards do get cloned, and this happend to me twice. It's then a pain to get your money back from the bank. Second, your bank, small or large, may at times block your account even if they know you're abroad. That's happened to me too many times to count. Third, you may get a good exchange rate, but there are often very high fees for each withdrawal: at least $5/withdrawal, and often higher. Given that foreign ATM's often have withdrawal limits that are very strict, you may end up losing quite a bit of money because you have to make multiple withdrawals. There are some banks like Charles Schwab that offer no foreign fees, but the local ATM's often do, and it also happens that the bank itself doesn't honor the no-fee policy. Then you have to fight them. There are many other problems as well--on top of not having the convenience of using cash for the reasons I stated above.
This is my advice for those who do want to travel and have been taken in by the "use ATM" nonsense. In many parts of the world, like Hong Kong, people rely on cash, even for very large transactions. In the USA and West Europe, governments that are broke and also increasingly controlling, want to spread suspicion about cash. (An attitude unfortunately that has been internalized by some posters on this thread. These are the same people who are OK with govt. monitoring your every move as long as "you have nothing to hide." Sorry, but I'm not a sheep.)
It's also possible the posters here are short-term travelers or business travelers and don't understand or care about the advantages I'm talking about, which apply to longer-term travelers. I'd like advice from people who do know and can give practical pointers and tell me what to expect.
I'm also interested in advice from people who are aware of, and don't deny, the abusive nature of US customs. It's not believable that anyone who's returned to the US from abroad hasn't experienced this abuse, no matter how well-off or respectable you look. What I'm doing is perfectly legal, this is my money, legally earned and already taxed. What I don't want is an unprofessional customs agent abusing the law and his authority. There are many examples of their doing this, and I want to know what the risks are.
Aug 14th, 2016, 06:07 PM
#24
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Jean--no I'm not happy because there is often a discrepancy between the law as it is on paper, and the law as interpreted by an official. I am concerned about abuse of the law by customs officials. You must not be aware of the many examples in the news where they abused their authority.
historytraveler--I left the country with cash and am returning with cash. It's my money that I'm "bringing into the country"; because I left with it.
nukesafe--Your post, again, is just another lecture trying to justify what is essentially legalized theft by customs authorities. Are you unaware of the abuse of "civil forfeiture" laws in America, both by customs and other law enforcement? There are stories of Canadian tourists who are essentially robbed of money under this pretext. It's appalling that you think "confiscation" is justified because someone prefers to use cash. Maybe you would be comfortable living in North Korea, but I consider myself a free citizen.
It really is very simple, guys. If you don't like to travel with cash, fine. But why are you here arguing and yelling at me that I must do the same as you do, and that the government loves me? This is a bit creepy.
Either give practical advice, or consider posting in another thread.
historytraveler--I left the country with cash and am returning with cash. It's my money that I'm "bringing into the country"; because I left with it.
nukesafe--Your post, again, is just another lecture trying to justify what is essentially legalized theft by customs authorities. Are you unaware of the abuse of "civil forfeiture" laws in America, both by customs and other law enforcement? There are stories of Canadian tourists who are essentially robbed of money under this pretext. It's appalling that you think "confiscation" is justified because someone prefers to use cash. Maybe you would be comfortable living in North Korea, but I consider myself a free citizen.
It really is very simple, guys. If you don't like to travel with cash, fine. But why are you here arguing and yelling at me that I must do the same as you do, and that the government loves me? This is a bit creepy.
Either give practical advice, or consider posting in another thread.
Aug 14th, 2016, 08:10 PM
#28
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Please note,
http://ij.org/over-100-editorials-ca...eiture-reform/
This is a serious problem in the US. Over 150 publications have come out against it. Sen. Paul introduced a law against it. Any one of us can be targeted, and not just by customs.
http://ij.org/over-100-editorials-ca...eiture-reform/
This is a serious problem in the US. Over 150 publications have come out against it. Sen. Paul introduced a law against it. Any one of us can be targeted, and not just by customs.
Aug 14th, 2016, 10:57 PM
#31
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In fairness to OP if he travels a lot to third world countries then he probably does need to have cash rather than using an ATM. Dollars are welcome in most third world countries after all, and ATMs are thin on the ground.
He posted on the wrong forum. Doesn't make him a troll.
As a European who has visited the US several times I have never been asked about the amount of money I have on me, nor about my ability to pay for my stay in the US.
He posted on the wrong forum. Doesn't make him a troll.
As a European who has visited the US several times I have never been asked about the amount of money I have on me, nor about my ability to pay for my stay in the US.
Aug 14th, 2016, 11:00 PM
#32
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i>It is in fact more convenient to travel with cash, given the restrictions that banks place on me. In terms of withdrawals, conversion rates and fees <b>(I can get better rates at changing bureaus)</b> and the fact that they've often left me stranded abroad blocking my card even though I told them I was traveling. </i>
LOL
LOL
Aug 14th, 2016, 11:20 PM
#33
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In these days of heightened security you should be questioned. If you flew into or out of Australia with that much cash you would likely be pulled out of the customs line and question for a prolonged length of time. So count yourself lucky that you have only been questioned aggressively. I would have suspicion about somebody allegedly as educated as you say you are doing something so crazy. It has been good for a laugh though.
Aug 15th, 2016, 05:08 AM
#36
This sounds very trolly to me. He travels for months on end having taken 10k out of the US, then returns with a similar amount if money. Where does the cost of accommodation and food, every day costs of living get taken from? And therefore where does the extra cash in US dollars come from?
No wonder he gets grilled at customs.
No wonder he gets grilled at customs.
Aug 15th, 2016, 05:20 AM
#37
I would think the OP is on a "list" and so will be stopped every time.
Why he wants to travel with so much cash, is up to him, but I have friends who were robbed on a plane so he needs to take great care.
Why he wants to travel with so much cash, is up to him, but I have friends who were robbed on a plane so he needs to take great care.
Aug 15th, 2016, 05:20 AM
#38
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Please note,
http://ij.org/over-100-editorials-ca...eiture-reform/
This is a serious problem in the US. Over 150 publications have come out against it. Sen. Paul introduced a law against it. Any one of us can be targeted, and not just by customs
Watch for the black helicopters.
I ask because I've heard horror stories about US customs seizing cash on the flimsiest pretext
What conspiracy theorists have told you this or is it just "voices".
http://ij.org/over-100-editorials-ca...eiture-reform/
This is a serious problem in the US. Over 150 publications have come out against it. Sen. Paul introduced a law against it. Any one of us can be targeted, and not just by customs
Watch for the black helicopters.
I ask because I've heard horror stories about US customs seizing cash on the flimsiest pretext
What conspiracy theorists have told you this or is it just "voices".
