Immigration - How much money are you allowed to take with you?

[Blizknight 8]

Hi,

I would like to know if anybody knows how much money you can take with you when immigrating to the US as a LPR, I am under the F4 category and we are 5 family members, would like to know how much money we could take with us when immigrating the first time. Can anybody tell me about this?

Thanks

[aaron2020 11,651]

You can take as much as you want.

If you are bringing in more than $10,000, you must declare it. Fail to disclose it and it will be forfeited. You must also be able to show the money came from legitimate sources.

[Blizknight 8]

10000$ is for each family member?

[aaron2020 11,651]

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

[dhlunar 25]

10000$ is for each family member?

No, $10,000 for the entire group. So if you are carrying $7,000 and someone else is carrying $4,000 (total $11,000) you need to mark yes on the Custom Declaration form.

You only need to fill out ONE CBP Custom Declaration form for the entire family.

It ask: I am (We are) carrying monetary instruments $10,000 US or foreign equivalent?

It is always better to say yes then not report it and have them find it later.

There may be some extra paperwork that you will have to do at the POE or CBP might simply be satisfied with the declaration and just let you go without any other forms or questions. However, as someone else mentioned make sure you have a way to show it comes from a legit source (such as bank statements or a receipt of the withdraws).

[Gosia & Tito 199]

No, $10,000 for the entire group. So if you are carrying $7,000 and someone else is carrying $4,000 (total $11,000) you need to mark yes on the Custom Declaration form.

You only need to fill out ONE CBP Custom Declaration form for the entire family.

It ask: I am (We are) carrying monetary instruments $10,000 US or foreign equivalent?

It is always better to say yes then not report it and have them find it later.

There may be some extra paperwork that you will have to do at the POE or CBP might simply be satisfied with the declaration and just let you go without any other forms or questions. However, as someone else mentioned make sure you have a way to show it comes from a legit source (such as bank statements or a receipt of the withdraws).

Notice that 'Monetary instruments' is anything that can be easily turn into cash and not just cash, for example checks, bonds on your name, etc.

[oliviaregis 0]

Hello may i ask if bank books and time deposit slips from my home country considered monetary instruments? Do we need to declare it?

[novedsac 355]

Hello may i ask if bank books and time deposit slips from my home country considered monetary instruments? Do we need to declare it?

A passbook showing transactions/balance?

No, this is not a monetary instrument.

Neither is a deposit slip.

No, you don't need to declare this.

[Blizknight 8]

if you have to declare it, how much is the tax you have to pay for it?

[aaron2020 11,651]

Zero

[oliviaregis 0]

A passbook showing transactions/balance?

No, this is not a monetary instrument.

Neither is a deposit slip.

No, you don't need to declare this.

Thank you very much!

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Moved from Bringing Fam. Members of USC to America to General Immigration-Related Discussion Forum~

~Inquiry is applicable to numerous visa processes~

[Blizknight 8]

Zero

even if it is 15k$? they wont charge a tax?

No, $10,000 for the entire group. So if you are carrying $7,000 and someone else is carrying $4,000 (total $11,000) you need to mark yes on the Custom Declaration form.

You only need to fill out ONE CBP Custom Declaration form for the entire family.

It ask: I am (We are) carrying monetary instruments $10,000 US or foreign equivalent?

It is always better to say yes then not report it and have them find it later.

There may be some extra paperwork that you will have to do at the POE or CBP might simply be satisfied with the declaration and just let you go without any other forms or questions. However, as someone else mentioned make sure you have a way to show it comes from a legit source (such as bank statements or a receipt of the withdraws).

If we fill 2 Custom declaration forms if I go only with my mom because I am already over 18? is this possible, because I already work and have my own money?

[aaron2020 11,651]

even if it is 15k$? they wont charge a tax?

If we fill 2 Custom declaration forms if I go only with my mom because I am already over 18? is this possible, because I already work and have my own money?

The U.S. does not tax money coming into the U.S. You can bring in an entire plane load of money and no taxes will be assessed. We like people bringing money into the U.S. and spend it here.

The U.S. wants people to declare money above $10,000 to prevent money laundering from illegal, criminal, or terrorist sources. We want to prevent these type of activities. There is no problem if there is proof that the money came from legal sources.

It is illegal for you to use 2 forms. Read the link I provided since it's very clear about this issue. You and your mother use 1 form since you are traveling together. Break the law by using 2 forms, then risk losing your money.

Edited February 19, 2015 by aaron2020

[asisflyer 47]

Didn't you get the MEMO?

Only bad people pay with cash in America.

Everywhere else it's OK !

Easier to open U.S. account remotely with international bank HSBC or CITIBANK and then wire it in.

There is no entry tax on the cash, just a reporting form FinCen 105 required. People file them all the time. CBP can count the cash if they want. They can ask where it came from. You must fill out the IRS form over 10k per person. Customs form asks 10K question for whole family together though, so you need to use multiple forms if say 9k you and 9k wife; BUT Then CBP will ask why separate forms for family. Then you will say 9+9 = 18. Then CBP man, he will send you to secondary to count the cash and fill out FinCen 105 anyway. Again, if this is your foreign post-tax savings from a foreign account in a prior year. Its fine but potentially a delay/hassle in secondary.

Remember your Green Card LPR status reflexes to January 1st as Resident Alien for Tax Purposes so if that is income, interest, dividends, etc. from the same year as your LPR status, it might become taxable but that is not administered at the point of entry.

http://www.fincen.gov/forms/files/fin105_cmir.pdf

Print and Fill Out the Form before you get on the plane. Heck, you can call the USCIS Port Director and tell them when you are arriving if you like. Then when you walk up to the counter, have a nice machine printed version sitting in the passport. Everyone appreciates the compliant type.

Edited February 19, 2015 by asisflyer