Traveling with Cash: Problem at Customs?
 

Sorry for double post but I know this topic must interest some people.

I know that if you want to enter (or exit) the US with cash it has to be declared if it's over $10,000. But my question is what about if you enter the country with a large amount of cash (8000-9000) that is under $10K. Is it at all advisable?

I ask because I've heard horror stories about US customs seizing cash on the flimsiest pretext. Thus even though this is my money, legally earned, and I like to keep it cash because it's more convenient for me to travel this way, I fear that US customs will invent some reason to seize it from me. I've heard they do this to people under civil forfeiture laws, and then it's very hard to get back.

I've also noticed that they're very aggressive every time you come into the country, asking all kinds of questions, and in particular asking about cash that you carry even under the declaration limit. Needless to say I am wary of this. I'm afraid from the things I've heard that they won't respect the law and will do whatever they have to in order to seize cash or valuables.

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with this or advice to give, and if it is indeed a bad idea to carry cash even under the 10K limit.

Sometimes I re-enter the US with some cash on me (sometimes close to 10k)

I would travel with large notes to make the size / bulk smaller. If you can have an invoice or a withdrawal slip proving how you got the money - thats always helpful.

If you are travelling here then consider a Pre-Pay visa instead.

Travel is always a balancing act, between how we're used to doing things at home and how we modify our behavior to accommodate another culture. So given your seeming belief that your cash is in danger of being seized for no reason, the solution is either don't much carry cash or don't visit the US.

Correction, don't carry much cash.

"Don't visit the US" ...I'm a US citizen and I live in the US. It's just that they always grill you when you reenter. And unfortunately I don't have a choice but to travel with cash. It's my money, legally earned, and I want to be able to do with it whatever I want to. I just want to know if anyone has particular experience with this and if indeed customs officials abuse their power as I've heard they do.

East coast, got you. Would pics of paychecks be enough? Unfortunately I can't get larger notes because ATM's only give $20's

I would be more concerned about carrying that much cash outside the US.

Since you access your cash thru an ATM ("Unfortunately I can't get larger notes because ATM's only give $20's"" you can almost always use that <b>same ATM card </b> in many places worldwide with little to no fees. Safer by far do that then carrying $$$$$ with you on your travels. I have used my ATM cards all over Europe and in southern Africa with no trouble at all.

I doubt any customs/border control agents are going to be bothered to look at photos of paychecks, which can of course be easily altered.


I guess you have your reasons...best of luck.

No because actually fees outside the US can often be very high, there are limits on withdrawals, and more than once I've been left stranded without money when the bank blocked my card (even after I notified them I was traveling). There are many reasons I prefer to travel with cash. Ultimately yes, it's my preference and I don't want to be bullied by banks or governments into giving up cash.

I've also had my debit card cloned on two occasions and they took all the money out of my account. it was a pain to get it back. There are other reasons to be traveling with cash also especially in certain countries where, for example, you can get a better deal on an apartment with cash up front.

Ever traveled to Argentina?

I'd like to know from someone who has experience coming into the USA with cash (whether above the 10K limit or somewhat below) and whether it is true that customs may give you trouble over this. And what I can do to assure them it's OK, etc.

Why would photos of paychecks prove where that particular pile came from? Don't have a choice? No one needs to carry wads of cash these days and why the practice is suspect. And why I find it suspect. And not cost effective if you have to change cash for local currency. Or maybe no will issue you a debit card. That would explain it, I suppose.

Well, you say you have a debit card. The suggestion to get big bills is a useful one and answered by you that the ATM only gives $20s. Can you not go into the bank and get big bills? Fees to change cash will be higher than ATM fees. I still fail to see the point. We can't all be wrong and a couple of cash-carriers have the answers.

MmePerdu I'm a college professor at a university ranked in the top ten on US News, and don't appreciate being accused of being "suspicious" by someone who is obviously a naive and very submissive person...simply for wanting to spend my money the way I want to, and not have to beg banks to use it. Since you don't know the answer to my question, why are you posting here? Is there something you want to prove, or display about yourself?

You must not have experience living abroad or traveling in certain places if you don't understand why people need to carry cash. It's actually very cost effective, depending on where you travel. You also avoid the inconvenience of having to deal with very unprofessional and nasty banks in the US, and several other problems of dealing with cards. Some people, you know, do like to travel for longer periods, and outside of tour groups.

Actually very rich people in the US also deal with cash more often than cards, and sometimes exclusively so, but that's another story. My question here is about procedure at US customs. My question is for people who have experience with this.

"...a naive and very submissive person..."
"Is there something you want to prove, or display about yourself?"
"You must not have experience living abroad or traveling.."

None of the above.

"My question is for people who have experience with this."

Good. I'll be watching, too, for more self-important, paranoid "professors" to make an appearance.

IMHO carrying that amount of cash is close to madness. What do you do - stuff it into a mattress? If you go to a bank with than amount of cash - esp in 20s - you will get a lot of questions.

Of course, why you are doing this is only your business, but it seems foolish to me to do something that is inherently suspicious and then get all exorcised when you are asked about it. If you are always asked about this it will continue to happen since they have obviously tagged you as a suspicious person regularly traveling with large amounts of cash and your name will pop up for extra questioning every time you enter the country.

I have entered the US at least 100 times by air into NYC and have NEVER had anyone ask me anything about cash I carried and have only once had my luggage opened when a beagle sniffed it - who knows why - perhaps another dog had peed against it or something.

You are really creating your own problem here and I would have rock solid proof that the money is legal, but assume that you will continue to be questioned and probably more rather than less in the future.

I keep the cash in my luggage or in drawers or a safe in my house/apt wherever I travel. Given that my debit card was cloned twice and all money taken out of my account, while money was never robbed from my apartment when living abroad, I find cash to be safer than a bank.

I don't go to a bank with that amount of cash, I use it. Unfortunately ATM's deal out 20's so that's what I have. I do have a record of the withdrawals, I wonder if that would satisfy an overzealous customs official.

So far I keep getting lectures and not so much practical advice. For those who give lectures, consider
http://nomadcapitalist.com/2015/02/1...-restrictions/
In some countries like Hong Kong cash is preferred. And being able to pay in dollars will get you far if you travel to many other countries. Your attitude about cash being "suspicious" is one reason governments in USA and Western Europe are becoming so abusive and controling. It used to be that ability to use cash is a sign of freedom. At the moment in some European countries governments demand to know every electronic transaction you make. I like to be free.

I am surprised no one has been asked about how much money they're carrying when coming through customs in America. Everyone I know has, including old ladies traveling from Europe. And a customs official on another forum openly said that this is their procedure now. I am surprised everyone here pretends they don't know that customs officials are abusive to returning US citizens and often ask all manner of inappropriate questions. Maybe you are all used to abuse and think it's normal. Those kinds of questions aren't asked in other countries, and people would be outraged if they were.

I would actually like some practical advice from people who do travel with cash and understand why this is normal.

I do understand why you are choosing to carry so much cash with you. I had my card cloned and was left with very little cash on vacation. It's not a good situation to be in. While I don't have experience traveling with this much cash, I don't see why it really would be a problem. You are not lying on the custom form if the amount is under 10k. No one has ever questioned me or my form but maybe it's because of the port of entry? I ask because once years at Philly, I had to pick up my bag and have it X rayed again but so did everyone and I wasn't connecting. I wonder how the agents knew to question the people you know who had a problem. Maybe that's the key to doing it without being stopped, questioned, etc.

Well, it is apparent you are not going to get answers either here or on the Europe 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.

Thank you sassy27 for understanding. Does anyone know what it's like to be stuck in a third world country and have to argue with your bank about allowing you to access YOUR money? It's happened to me more than once. This was because of a mistake on their part. And there I am in a weird country and unable to access my account and really having to beg my bank and jump through all kinds of hoops. This is aside from the times they screw up and just lock your account and then "apologize" after seeing that you already put a travel note.

nukesafe, there are many advantages to traveling with cash, especially depending on where you travel and for how long. I explained elsewhere why. If you're trying to justify legalized theft by broke Western govts., that's another matter. No: it's not OK to be robbed by officials because you choose to travel with cash.

I find it funny to think that your cash is safe in a bank. Ask Cypriots about that. Or people--like me or sassy--who had their debit cards cloned.

Sassy I'll have to take my chances and hope that the customs official is not an authoritarian and won't abuse his power. I can show the origin of the money if it comes to that, but really, I shouldn't have to think about this.

I would never keep all my cash in 1 bank account when I travel. I have 2 that I use strictly for travel and they have no fees for withdrawals. My husband likewise has 2. That prevent us from having our funds frozen.

No one would like to have their account compromised. But there are ways to reduce that risk, as I have just shown. And yes, it did happen to me when I was in Lugano last year. It wasn't a disaster because our funds were spread out in 3 other accounts. A bit much to handle, maybe, but it keeps us from carrying wads of cash.

As far as how much can be withdrawn at a time, same applies, we can spread it out over the multiple cards and get $2000 at a time with little effort.

Converting US dollars to local currency can be as much a hassle as dealing with ATM and the cost can out do fees, which you can avoid by shopping for the best debit cards - Federal credit unions are a great place to get fee free ATM cards.

Keeping cash in luggage or drawers, really? At least you don't carry it in a money belt...

And lots of people here travel a lot, and to some very out of the way places and for several months at a time. You aren't unique; perhaps a troll would be more fitting a description. Or just arrogant.

DebitNM
That's some good practical advice for the first part of your post. Unfortunately it doesn't apply to my situation as I'm already traveling with cash. I will consider multiple accounts later. There are downsides to that as well though, and there are great advantages to using cash: again the reference to "exchange bureaus" makes me think you don't know of these advantages. In many countries people accept dollars.
It's also not believable that people who travel for months to out of the way places use ATM's and prefer this to cash.
I'm not a "troll." I'm someone looking for practical advice dealing with potentially ABUSIVE customs officials. I've heard many stories on the news, and I've noticed in person that their attitude is very aggressive. I'd like practical advice, and I wouldn't be arguing with people if they didn't instead come on here to lecture me.

If you don't like cash, fine. Why try to get others to do the same as you do?

I don't normally travel with a lot of cash. But I have had times when I have needed to travel with enough US dollars to pay for my whole trip. Before Burma became part of the international banking community in 2011-12, one needed US dollars to pay for everything. So I carried several thousand dollars to pay for our whole trip: flights within Burma, drivers, water transport, hotels, meals, etc.

I did have to fill out a currency declaration form when entering Burma. There were no problems. And I did not have a lot of US cash left over to bring back into the US with me.

I can't remember ever being asked about cash upon re-entry to the US.

I'm just curious. I actually do know folks who travel with cash (well, did, most of them are dead). I understand taking the money out of the country- but why would you be entering with that much? Wouldn't you be spending it in whatever country you are traveling to?

I can only speak from the perspective of going into Canada, but the only question I've had asked has been "are you entering or leaving with more than 10000?" If you say yes, then you'd have to disclose it, but if you travel with 8k or 9k, then how would they know? I've never heard of customs seizing money at all, though, unless drugs are involved.

I have to say that my husband and I have NEVER been asked abusive questions by U. S. Customs agents. That makes me wonder what your actual experiences have been, or experiences of other people whom you know. Why do you expect trouble?

Here are my experiences. I've been asked why I was traveling abroad (not their business). For how long, and how I was paying for such long trips (really not their business). I was asked what I do for a living (again, not their business). I consider these questions abusive, and so would people in other countries. Crazy that you guys think this is normal. This is the kind of interrogation you do to a criminal.

I know nice middle aged people who were asked if they were carrying more than a thousand dollars. And others who were just flat out asked how much currency they were carrying (even under the limit). I actually don't remember if I was myself asked that question, but I think I was once.

I am more concerned about the news reports I hear of customs and other law enforcement officials seizing money from law-abiding people under the "civil forfeiture" law. It hasn't happened to people I know, but you hear about it and if you search you can see many articles showing instances where this power was abused. It's not like it's an uncommon thing, and given the rough manner of these people, I don't want to be targeted.

But all of those questions would be asked by the immigration officials of any country you visit, right? So why the worry about US immigration/customs??

I understand your bitterness though. I am still holding a grudge against those lovely California produce patrol who forced me to through out a perfectly good pound of cherries last summer...

Marvelous, no actually in other countries you're never asked questions like that. And here's the problem. A page with links to 150 articles talking about the problem
http://ij.org/over-100-editorials-ca...eiture-reform/
It's not uncommon and any one of us can be targeted.

Ah, perhaps the problem here is one's definition of "abusive." None of those questions sound abusive to me. They sound like typical - or at least not unusual - immigrations/customs questions. I have frequently answered such questions when entering other countries.

I understand that some questions can seem intrusive. But something that gave me perspective on this issue was when an attorney told me that one does not have the general protections of US law while occupying that "no man's land" after crossing out of the US or before crossing back into the US. They can ask you any questions they want, they can detain you for any reason. Remembering that means I am not just my usual polite to the officers, I am extra polite.

These people spend a lot of time learning psychological profiling so they can choose the people most likely to be problematic. I wonder what behaviors you exhibit that makes them suspect that something "isn't right"

I don't believe anything anyone says will impact the OP's situation, as I don't believe it has anything to do with money. A classic "yes, but..." and most of us failing to understand or know nothing. Excuses to carry out a mundane item of business in the worst possible way, a "problem" anyone who travels on or off the beaten path for any distance or time encounters sooner or later and doesn't feel compelled to carry large amounts of cash to (and home from?) their destination.

Considering the rants about banks, customs, etc., I suspect a bigger issue than advice from a travel forum was ever meant to address.

Since you have traveled a lot, you have already had the experiences which form your opinions and what to expect. You have issues with bank cards, etc. You may have an issue with so much cash. Pick the issue that is least worrisome to you.

I have not personally suffered abuse from customs or immigration people anywhere, but just off the top of my head, remember being asked in both St Kitts in the Caribbean and in Ireland, what my reason was for the trip/visit and where I would be going. I answered truthfully. In each case, they said welcome and hoped I enjoyed their country. I figured it is their country. I am a visitor. They can asked me whatever they choose. I did not consider it abusive.

Frankly, I see why it might raise suspicion over a period of time, so I could not care less about the cash issues you raise. However, since it is an issue of freedom to you, I do find some of the security checks imposing and unnecessary, and that is an issue of freedom I could get interested in.

Lol, mmeperdu. I think you are spot on, most likely.

OP: I have been asked those questions by both US and Canadian border patrol. Amazed you haven't.

I did google the forfeitures. Most of the cases, as it turns out, are not border crossings- they are seizures during pullovers for minor traffic infractions of people of color. Yes, I agree, immoral and wrong. But not applicable to your case, and ironically, your money is safe if you don't carry it in cash. So are you more afraid of your bank or of customs? I think you will have to make that choice.

Furthermore, most of the articles seem to link back to a single expose...and are shared commonly by some very paranoid folks on their blogs. I shan't be concerned about this until I actually meet folks who have had cash seized at the border. I think you've got more of a chance of your plane crashing, or being robbed, or contracting dengue/malaria/zika if you need something to worry about...

Guyanantigua:
The solution, by following your logic, to me seems simple.

1. It appears that you want to travel with lots of amounts of cash. Why? Who knows. It could be you are a survivalist anti government sort, or in spite of your protestations otherwise - derived illegally, or like you say, it could be purely for your ease, or thousands of other reasons. I've heard tell that in China it is not unusual for people to haul suitcases (plural) of cash to buy a new car. But the why is irrelevant. You want to do it and seem dead-set on doing it. Or you are a troll having a great laugh.

2. Travelling with a lot of cash is going to be pretty unwieldy. If it's in $100 bills, you'll need 90 of them for $9,000 ... it will be about the size of a large book. But $100 bills may (or may not) be easy or hard to exchange or use. If in $20 bills, you'll need 450 of them ... the size of 4 large books. In either case, how to travel with them is an issue:

(a) its too bulky to carry on your person.
(b) I wouldn't dare put in in checked luggage ... there are too many instances of things being stolen from locked luggage.
(c) you could put it in a briefcase or carry-on luggage. In that case, if flying, it will be scanned at a minimum or perhaps passed by other detection devices. But its probably the safest way ... as long as you don't lose it or it doesn't get stolen.

3. It caries lots of risk.

(a) The greatest risk is theft.
(b) The second greatest risk is not at customs - it is getting stopped by local police. Local or state governments can legally seize money they "suspect" - its doesn't have to be proven. A couple of articles: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...b0d0042da9e0f8
and http://oklahomawatch.org/2016/06/09/...prepaid-cards/ . Is it right? Should the legality be abolished? Many opinions on that. Each state is different. But it is a fact that it can legally happen.
(c) The third risk is at immigration/customs. Each officer has great discretion ... any one officer can make determinations that others would not make. So it will completely depend on the whims of an officer. He likely won't even ask unless you give subtle indications of nervousness or suspicious behavior. (However, I have been asked on about 10% of my border interactions). How will he react if you declare? Again, it completely depends (under the law) on the individual judgement of the individual officer. Most likely they'll just note it and not pursue questions. But they could ask many more questions ... and they could even seize it ... depending on the individual officer. If seized, there are various administrative and judicial remedies you could take to at some time later attempt to reclaim it.

So in the end, its going to depend on luck and circumstances. It could get stolen. It could be seized by local police like on a traffic stop. Or it could be seized by a customs officer. Is it likely? No.

If you want to risk it, its up to you to evaluate the risk.
Should it be a risk? That's a whole other conversation.

I also don't care why you are carrying so much cash - except that you will have to come up with a better explanation for customs. If your concern is being stuck in some "weird" (your words) country without funds, then it does not explain why you are returning to the US still carrying that much cash.

But I also have never been asked about how much cash I am carrying upon re-entry to US.

The only real world experience I know of had been a friend's friend traveling from Ireland to the UK with almost €20K in his luggage to buy a used car or van from someone in the UK. He did not declare it (you have to when more than 10K, even for travels within the EU) upon arrival in Manchester, got into a spot customs check, and eventually got fined (I don't remember the amount, though).

When reading OP's initial post, two Qs come to mind:

Why do you return with so much cash money (8/9K of 10K)?
Since you are an experienced traveler to 3rd world countries where cash rules, wouldn't you have a better knowledge of how much you actually need?

PP gave a plausible historic example (Burma/Myanmar) where cash was needed. What are your experiences?

You named Hong Kong as an example - but last time I was there (2015), I settled all payments (except tiny amounts for trams or ferries or entrance fees or street food) with my credit card. Aside from one beer at a ramshackle beach hut on an outer island, we paid with CC at any small eatery or restaurant (and no, not just McDonalds).

So, if you can find a few people who have experienced the situation you described, how will that help you ?

Customs officials in the US will plant drugs on you and steal your money. It's true. I saw it once in a movie.

One solution is hide the money in your anus.

@guyanantigua People who carry large amounts of cash, particularly just under the $10K limit for declaration are actively profiled by US Customs. You may want to read this recent article from USAToday: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2...ures/88474282/.

Given your screen name, I'm guessing you are returning from an extended stay in the Caribbean, which is a hotbed of narcotrafficking on so many different islands I can't even begin to say. Even though you are a college professor, I'd guess that you are going to be subjected to a high level of scrutiny and need to be prepared for that.

The best way to avoid the problem is to 1) make sure you have all relevant ATM withdrawal slips to show where cash came from; 2) taking only the amount of money you actually need out of the country so you don't have to return with so much cash; and 3) being open and honest when asked if you have anything to declare. If a Customs agent stops you and you have a large amount of cash, simply say "I have a large amount of cash."

Vincenzo has the facts and a movie to back him up. Finally, a credible source. Should make the OP happy.

Did you see your proposed solution in the movie too? Another poster calculated the OP's money took up a lot of space. Just say'n.

This is such an interesting thread, and highlights how much we have become that "cashless" society that was predicted so many years ago. It's kind of ironic that an allowable amount of our "legal tender" can make one suspect of illegal activities.

I don't think you will find many people on Fodors who can answer your question, but your post is certainly thought provoking.

Before credit cards, many still did not carry around huge sums of cash. Remember traveler's checks?

Sass: Some anuses have more capacity than others.

Vincenzo, I knew that would be the answer in some form. Careful. You may be getting close to being banned. LOL.