POE with over $10,000

[Piefre 15]

My POE is early morning on Monday. I just remembered today that if you're carrying over $10,000 into the US you need to declare it. There's no one at the bank tomorrow to do a wire transfer for me, but I do have a cashier's check to myself for over $10,000. What form do I have to fill out when I get to customs? Is it the F4790? And has anyone carried over 10k with them at POE and what kind of troubles have you experienced? Stupid me, I forgot all about this. Grr...

[Hank_ 9,173]

That is carrying $10,000 or more in CASH! checks don't matter.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

That is carrying $10,000 or more in CASH! checks don't matter.

Nope. It's cash OR "monetary instruments", which "includes coins, currency, travelers checks and bearer instruments such as personal or cashiers checks, and stocks and bonds". Direct quote from the CBP Form 6059B.

To the OP: The F4790 is the old declaration form. It's now the FinCen 105.

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/clearing/traveler_entry_form/cbp_traveler_brochure.ctt/cbp_traveler_brochure.pdf

[Piefre 15]

Nope. It's cash OR "monetary instruments", which "includes coins, currency, travelers checks and bearer instruments such as personal or cashiers checks, and stocks and bonds". Direct quote from the CBP Form 6059B.

To the OP: The F4790 is the old declaration form. It's now the FinCen 105.

http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/clearing/traveler_entry_form/cbp_traveler_brochure.ctt/cbp_traveler_brochure.pdf

Thanks! Has anyone carried over 10k during POE and did the customs agents give them a hard time about their money? I shouldn't think they'd have a problem. After all, we're moving and just taking the money we earned with us. I just don't want to waste any more time. I'm still kicking myself for not just doing a wire transfer.

[kokylolo 7]

Thanks! Has anyone carried over 10k during POE and did the customs agents give them a hard time about their money? I shouldn't think they'd have a problem. After all, we're moving and just taking the money we earned with us. I just don't want to waste any more time. I'm still kicking myself for not just doing a wire transfer.

I was stopped before I boarded my plane and harassed by a customs agent. He insisted that I must be carrying more than 10k on me. I told him he was wrong. He said let me state for you the law...blah blah blah...I looked at him and I said I'm glad you know the law and also you should know that I am not breaking it. He said, "You must declare it!" I looked at him intensely and irritated, "I would if I indeed did have it. I don't. Is it the law that I tell you exactly how many dollars I have in my wallet?" He drew a blank...I walked away. I'm not sure but it was strange to be pulled aside while we were actually boarding the plane. If I did have it, I wouldn't have known what form to fill out, but I'm sure the nice agent would have helped me with that.

Have a great trip!

[Hank_ 9,173]

My opps!

[CDAgirlMI 51]

Thanks! Has anyone carried over 10k during POE and did the customs agents give them a hard time about their money? I shouldn't think they'd have a problem. After all, we're moving and just taking the money we earned with us. I just don't want to waste any more time. I'm still kicking myself for not just doing a wire transfer.

Just tell them you have it, they may want to see it.

Just don't endorse it.

You'll be good to go.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

We did the same thing as you, we had a cashier's check made out to me, drawn off my husband's account in Canada.

We filled out the form, they asked to see the check, asked us what it was for (to buy a new car and to pay my fall tuition) CBP said Ok, and let us go through. It was no big deal. You are doing your visa activation and I'm sure there will be absolutely no issues for you.

[SuperDuper! 230]

For us, "monetary instruments" includes declaring over $10K in TimBits when crossing next week (we're stocking up for the winter, and inviting Charles over). Forget investing in gold bars!

[pushbrk 12,212]

My POE is early morning on Monday. I just remembered today that if you're carrying over $10,000 into the US you need to declare it. There's no one at the bank tomorrow to do a wire transfer for me, but I do have a cashier's check to myself for over $10,000. What form do I have to fill out when I get to customs? Is it the F4790? And has anyone carried over 10k with them at POE and what kind of troubles have you experienced? Stupid me, I forgot all about this. Grr...

Declare it. You are not committing a crime. If the reason is that you are immigrating to the USA and bringing your money with you, that's just fine. No issue if you declare and answer any questions honestly. Your K1 visa will be all the evidence you need that you are immigrating.

For example, my wife and I have a niece and nephew from China in college in the USA. Their parents transfer money to our account quarterly, so we can manage it for the children. The one time a year we enter the USA from China, we carry the cash with us. This Spring will be the first time the amount will be over $10,000. We'll just declare it and indicate what it is for. We'll have a copy of the childrens' F1 visas on hand if needed.

[V&J 0]

Well, looking at the answers, I am wondering a couple of things.

I will be moving from Korea and I was thinking to have my parents transfer my money to my bank account once I open it in the U.S, or my fiance's bank account. That amount will definitely be more than $10,000. Does any kind of declaration necassary for the bank transfer too?

Or is it better to just carry with me when I go to the U.S and declare it?

Does it really matter? I just didn't feel like carry that much money with me when I will have 20+hrs flight.

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

Well, looking at the answers, I am wondering a couple of things.

I will be moving from Korea and I was thinking to have my parents transfer my money to my bank account once I open it in the U.S, or my fiance's bank account. That amount will definitely be more than $10,000. Does any kind of declaration necassary for the bank transfer too?

Or is it better to just carry with me when I go to the U.S and declare it?

Does it really matter? I just didn't feel like carry that much money with me when I will have 20+hrs flight.

I don't think there's any bank declaration required. Banks in the US will report any transaction of over $10K to the IRS.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Thanks! Has anyone carried over 10k during POE and did the customs agents give them a hard time about their money? I shouldn't think they'd have a problem. After all, we're moving and just taking the money we earned with us. I just don't want to waste any more time. I'm still kicking myself for not just doing a wire transfer.

I carried over $100K in cash in a small metal box in my carry-on luggage and did not have to open it. Friends of mine who entered with a B1/B2 carried $600K in cash to buy a house and they had to show it. Guess it depends on the CBP officer.