- Thread starter Conchman
- Start date
Warning - when bringing US cash through US Customs/Immigration
I think there is a concerted effort on to make life harder for criminals, tax evaders, money launderers, and the underground economy.
Everybody should pay their fair share and this is good news for the vast majority of people who are essentially quite honest and unfairly overly burdened.
Scammers should be made to pay what they owe, the costs incurred to catch them, plus punitive fines.
1) you have the same rules in Europe as in the US concerning carrying cash through EU borders: 10.000 euros. Just have to file, no limit. nobody would watch you for declaring 50.000 euros, not a problem. If you know you have to declare and you don't declare, the money is not clear or you are stupid, period. Not a matter of "personal freedom".
splitting money between relatives, friends, whatever, can be considered as basic "structuring". Trying to fool customs officers is silly, unless this is really your business.
2) in France you cannot pay more than 3000 in cash. Officially...
Government waste and corruption does not justify tax evasion and other criminal activity.
You are free to leave but you are not free to break the law and burden society.
A friend of mine not too long ago was coming into Miami with about $30,000 US in cash. He declared it like the law says and spent 4 hours in a backroom like he was a terrorist. The guy owns several hotels and is totally legit. They let him keep the money, but now he is on their list and has to go through hours of interrogation every time he enters the US.
Anybody that approves of this belongs in the back room also. And don't tell me he should not be carrying so much cash. It is his money to do whatever he wants to do with it.
Anybody that approves of this belongs in the back room also. And don't tell me he should not be carrying so much cash. It is his money to do whatever he wants to do with it.
I personally don't trust them (I assume you mean the government), but it is what it is and neither you nor I are going to change that, so while I agree that it's my money and should be able to do what with it as I wish IMO it's just not very smart to carry all the money with you for a host of other reasons as well, specially when there are so many other options to get that money to where you want it.
Last edited:
I`m not even sure who the hell you are talking about and what trust assumptions you are making.
Assuming that you are talking about Big Brother, which government, or are they all the same?
If you know of their ulterior motives, why don`t you enlighten us instead of asking vague inane questions?
YES I AM. Anyone that checks the box where it says over $10,000 US goes straight to the back room. If you care to wager on this I will be glad to prove it to you.
It's pretty straight forward. The government wants you to move your money electronically, so they can keep better tabs of you and how you spend your money. It is an infringement of your rights.
I find it comical that that $10,000 limit hasn't changed in what? decades? Ever heard of inflation? Surely the number should be upwards of $15K now? And where did the 10K limit come from? oh that's right, some bureaucrat's backside!
Here's what I don't understand about this 'case'.
Say I win 30 Grand in Bahamas in a poker tournament.
I know that I can enter the country with 10 without declaring. The other 20, if I declare, I'd have to pay tax on it. The tax would make the 20 equal to 12 when I'm done with it. And all the headache. So I decide, screw it. My buddies have been good friends all along. I'll just give them 10k each to keep because I'm generous.
How is there proof that a 'crime' has been committed until they actually give the money back to me?
What's stopping me from giving my friends a present in exchange for avoiding all the hassle at the border?
Done and done.
Where's the case?
Maybe the moral of the story is, declare your income, OR keep your mouth shut? or have a backup story?
Say I win 30 Grand in Bahamas in a poker tournament.
I know that I can enter the country with 10 without declaring. The other 20, if I declare, I'd have to pay tax on it. The tax would make the 20 equal to 12 when I'm done with it. And all the headache. So I decide, screw it. My buddies have been good friends all along. I'll just give them 10k each to keep because I'm generous.
How is there proof that a 'crime' has been committed until they actually give the money back to me?
What's stopping me from giving my friends a present in exchange for avoiding all the hassle at the border?
Done and done.
Where's the case?
Maybe the moral of the story is, declare your income, OR keep your mouth shut? or have a backup story?
Just be careful of the (USA) "gift tax" that may be triggered by this sort of activity ....
How does this infringement of your rights negatively affect you?
Tax evasion is a serious crime and a burden on honest citizens.
The proceeds of crime is an important factor in law enforcement.
There are people here in Canada who work under the table to avoid paying income taxes.
Yet they send their kids to the same public schools and go to the same public hospitals, drive on the same public roads, etc..........
If the government has to take a look at my financial records in the process of catching them, good.
Anybody who has $10k cash should be able to have a checking account with a bank that has international associations for easy money transfers.
The poker scenario is one reason for the rule.
The gambler has a legitimate win of $30,000.
He either leaves it there and does/doesn't declare his taxable win or he tries to squeeze it through the border.
Life's complicated when "get rich quick", nice problem to have.
The gambler has a legitimate win of $30,000.
He either leaves it there and does/doesn't declare his taxable win or he tries to squeeze it through the border.
Life's complicated when "get rich quick", nice problem to have.
If the government considers the $30k taxable, they don`t care if you allegedly give it to your friend or burn it in a fire.
They will still want their cut.
Next time you go to the US just ask the Customs agent the same question about what happens if you check the box. You will be in the back room so quick your head will spin. You don't even have to check it, just mention it.