So I have a friend who went to another country and actually won more than 20k. Lucky her. She was asking what should he do at customs. I told her to declare it. Any other ideas?
Yes, she should declare and be prepared to show some proof that she was at a casino. It's not illegal to carry that sort of cash, but it certainly raises suspicions about a lot of bad things you could potentially be engaged in.
Personally, I'd either have the money wired from the casino or at least reduced to a check so you don't have to declare it. Customs can be a pain in the ass.
too many bad stories of cash being confiscated for ridiculous reasons for me ever to risk it. depending on which country and whether you intend to go back there, opening a local bank account can be a good option. also gives you another offshore account, which is never a bad thing.
Direct quote from the U.S. Customs website as to items that need not be declared: "Monetary instruments that are made payable to a named person, but are not endorsed or which bear restrictive endorsements are not subject to reporting requirements, nor are credit cards with credit lines of over $10,000." So you don't have to declare a check unless you endorse it. Here's the website. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/332/~/currency-%2F-monetary-instruments---definition-of-negotiable-monetary Here's the link to the actual custom form that says the same thing. http://www.fincen.gov/forms/files/fin105_cmir.pdf
I had a $11000 win a few years ago. I had a check made payable to me for $9500. I was told by US Customs that since the check was made payable to me, it needed to be included along with the cash that I was carrying (In total, I had about $13000 between me and my spouse). It is $10k between those traveling with me. Note: That was in 2012
This makes sense to me, as it differentiates between order paper (un endorsed check...payable to the person on the "to:" line, theoretically has no value unless endorsed by to line person) vs. bearer paper (essentially worth face value to whoever is carrying it if it's already endorsed)... But i have no explanation to why they required declaration of the 9.5k check as it was un endorsed :/
As someone who once worked for Customs I agree with this. If the check isn't endorsed, it doesn't have to be declared. Unfortunately not all officers understand this. It is better to declare it or have it wired to your account.
I am sure there is a Nigerian prince who can help you out with this situation as well.....:evillaugh I tend to run on the side of being honest, and do wanna get caught up in worse trouble by hiding it if caught, I would declare it, or if wiring it home is a feasible option, maybe do that.
You can have them wire it to me... I'll hold onto it.... really I will. But, it shouldn't be a big deal if they just tell them about it, and where/how/why they have it. If they have a pic of winning it, that's even better. If they're really scared, see if the casino will type up a quick letter for them.
Hey packer, ive never had a problem myself going to or from with that much cash. Is there a possibility that she has a friend or 2 with her to split the money to hold?
I guess she is there with one other friend and her friend apparently has 3k or so she says. What did you do shove it in your backpack? Suitcase? Can't they see it on xray?
What country is it? I can tell you from living and working overseas that opening a local account may not be possible. Depending on the country, for non-residents your only option may be a private banking account and she can't do that with only 20k. Minimum is usually $1mm-$5mm. If she's in one of these Caribbean countries it might be easier. But any foreign account has gotten a bit tougher to open after Dodd-Frank. If she banks with a major global bank like Citi, Chase, HSBC, etc and there is a local branch there she can talk to them about wiring the funds. She can't deposit it there if she doesn't have an international account because banks operate under different charters in each country but they may be able to wire it for her. I've done that from Singapore. But even this can become very difficult for instance I tried to wire money from India through a branch of my US bank but they have an impossibly convoluted process for foreigners expatriating any funds out of the country. I had to lean on a business relationship to sort it out even though this was a personal issue. I guess this serves as good warning to people if they win big overseas to have the casino wire the money or write a check. Probably too late for her to do that. Like others said definitely definitely declare it. If she doesn't and they find it not only will they confiscate it but she can be arrested. If she can get some statement from the casino that she won the cash from them that would be good to have.
I travel frequently to Las Vegas (cross border). I'm asked almost 100% of the time if I am carrying more than $10k. I always answer(truthfully).....no. More than one Customs officer has asked a second time and followed up the question with " We have dogs that can sniff out cash". I tell them no problem, I don't have more than $10k. I have since done a bit a research and there are dogs that can sniff out cash. I have also seen Customs officer walking in the Custom halls with dogs.
Sheeesh. Mostly nightmare story's.. Apparently they will give her a check for the amount she won. The amount they show she won in there computer system. But, she must give them chips for that amount and ask for a check not cash.
