Non US citizens warning

Beware of coming in to the U.S. with more cigarettes etc or money than you should have. Arriving last week I had $13k on me and my friend had $6k. We had never ever been asked before how much money we had and just ticked the customs form as we had less than the 10k each you should declare. When asked we told the truth and because I was carrying more than the 10k on my person our cards were marked with a 'C'. We were told it was fine and he had put us down as being together. However we got to the exit where you have to hand your card in and were told to go to the other room. The queue was huge, about 70 people and only two staff members to start with. A few Mexicans in front of us from the previous flight and then all BA customers.

Most BA customers had duty free bags and had over 200 cigarettes per person. One guy had a carry on bag and seemed very nervous. They were checking all duty free and stopping everyone that had more than the allowance. I've never seen them be so thorough before, especially never been asked how much money we have.

There seemed to be way more people being stopped this time. I can't imagine that somehow they can find out how much duty free you buy at Departure airports when you have to show your boarding pass but it sure has made me wonder if they have access to that information.

It took us just under an hour and a half in that queue and had a form to fill in. The guy was extremely nice and only doing his job but thought I'd give everyone a heads up.

Even if you travel as husband and wife ensure one person doesn't carry more than 10k USD. It sure isn't worth the possible hassle. The fact you can take it in isn't the problem, it's the queuing to fill the form out and delaying the holiday.

Very impressed with BA though, they had a member of staff there in that room until the last passenger had been seen in case they needed to help anyone. Impressive.

 

Thanks for the warning Corinne, I do know about the $10K limit that you have to declare if over it but when I went last year the customs guy was very deadpan and not too impressed that I didn't know EXACTLY how much money I had on me(it was between $3K and $3.2K) and I felt decidedly uncomfortable till he stamped my passport lol.

I know they are only doing their jobs but I've never seen so many sour faced gits at any airport I've been in.

 

I cross the border between Canada and US often (can see US from front window!) and I am frequently asked how much currency I have. This means cash, cheques, money orders or any other negotiable instruments. My answer is always "less than $xxxxx. You are able to carry as much as you like, however must declare anything over $10,000 and be prepared to show where it came from! If I win more than $10,000 at an American casino, I will get proof that of its origin before I try to come back home. This is a money laundering law that is similar in both countries.

 

All you have to do is tell the truth, "I have 15K, or 20K on me", if you are going or coming from vegas it should be no big deal.

 

Indeed. Doesn't require any warnings whatsoever, If you have over $10,000, just say so and be done with it.

EDIT: This is a standard procedure throughout the world when crossing borders.

 

The casino cage will that for you, because theyll give you a copy of the CTR (Cash Transaction Report)
that they are required to send the IRS on cash transaction of 10K or more

 

You're right. It's no big deal. The warning and the big deal for me was that I could have just given my friend the amount over the 10k and truthfully said I had less than that and not spent nearly an hour and a half in another queue to fill out the paperwork. Also that they are checking the duty free carrier bags. Just a heads up to anyone who goes as a couple and one person has all the money. If you admit to it then it's hassle big time when all you want to do is get to the hotel.

 

As someone who is familiar with the system, giving your money to someone else does not get around you having to report bringing in over 10k. In fact they can bring both of you into secondary inspection to verify your funds. It's easier to just be honest and report it. There is a good chance that you have been flagged in the system and may be the opportunity to go to secondary inspection every time you enter the U.S.

 

And it isn't just for non-citizens...any of you fellow Americans traveling back into the US need to declare everything or else you get to go to the room.

I got off a red eye one time returning back into the US and forgot to mark down that I brought snacks back with me. They took me into the Customs room and tore into all my stuff. I was half asleep and then the agent decided to be a ****** so we ended up having some words. I mean it was my fault for not telling Uncle Sam I was bringing candy back into the States but I didn't appreciate the attitude from the agent either. So I am glad you got a nice one otherwise they could have made a fuss about not declaring the cash.

The US Govt isn't shy about taking peoples money either....so good post to give everyone a heads up!

 

For me, I clear US customs at the airport in Canada. I have to declare if I have any food with me, even if I plan to eat it before I board the plane. Once you pass through US customs at my Canadian airport, it is considered US soil

 

I wouldn't have told them it was my money that she had. It would then have been me having short of 10k and her having 9k. No problems and no inspection or form filling and queuing.

 

I got pulled into US secondary at Pearson on my way to Phoenix for a golf trip and all the guy wanted to know was whether or not I was bringing in Cuban Cigars! He asked me multiple times and in multiple ways. My only thought was what a waste of tax dollars.

 

Interesting...I wish they did they with all foreign airports but I understand why they don't.

Coming off intl flights at IAH is always a bit intimidating because even though I use zero drugs and have no desire to smuggle anything...I am always worried one of the dogs will have a false alert on my stuff and I'll get pulled into some backroom and searched!

Even more nerve wracking when flying out of South American airports because they look at everyone as coke smugglers...and I have watched too many episodes of Locked Up Abroad lol

 

I can't recommend strongly enough that you never ever do that
if you both have just under the limit, it's looks suspiciously like money laundering, Structuring, drug money mule

much better to declare it

 

If you are a family travelling together, you must have less than $10000 amongst the whole group.

 

10K period?, or just w/o declaring it?

 

Sorry.....I should clarify. Less than $10,000 without declaring. When travelling cross border, I complete 1 U.S. customs declaration form. It is 1 form per family.

 

Every trip that I carry over $10K I take it to our airport to the Canadian Border Services Office a few hours pre trip and have them count and document the funds. They give me a sheet with the recorded money to take with me. I declare my funds at US border and hand them the CBS sheet that was previously filled out. Have never had a problem. I find it easier to have it pre counted and documented.

As for food. A CBS officer told me, if you can eat it then is must be declared. So I now declare my plane snacks as food (nuts, chips etc). I keep all the snacks in a zip lock bag in my carry on and show them the food I'm declaring at the border entry, again never had a problem that way.

 

I got pulled into secondary inspection in Vancouver on my way to Vegas just cause. I was worried because I had cuban cigars on me. The customs declaration form didn't ask about cigars nor did the customs agent. He did tell me that bringing me to secondary inspection was random.

 

Correct.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/195/~/currency-%2F-monetary-instruments---amount-that-can-be-brought-into-or-leave-the