Flying with over 10K

[shake]

What is the best way to fly with over 10k in cash? Is it even something to worry about? In the past i've just placed 3-4k bundles in my carry-on, pockets, and wallet.

[Freightman]

What is the best way to fly with over 10k in cash? Is it even something to worry about? In the past i've just placed 3-4k bundles in my carry-on, pockets, and wallet.

Domestic or international travel?

[RS]

Grosjean went over this in one of his articles I believe. Essentially, put money deep in a carry-on bag. Have another carry on bag and have that in front, as well as shoes etc. That way you should be all the way through the metal detectors before (and if) a security guard decides to try to reach in there and steal the money....and you'll be able to keep an eye on your bag.

If flying to/from LV (or perhaps even AC), you should have a better defense for why you're traveling with money -- you're going to (or coming back from) casinos and won a lot.

[Freightman]

Let me clarify this a bit. Domestic travel within the USA requires no currency declaration. How much you're carrying is no ones business. If you know you're going through metal detectors, just wear cargo pants, with the money properly bundled and in the buttoned pockets. If you're going through the nudoscope, carry your money in your wallet, holding your wallet in your hand, and with an envelope, if necessary for Cessna funds. There have been several issues with TSA agents stealing funds in carry on bags etc, when valuable items have gone through the scanners. You can always request private screening.

If you're travelling internationally, for example, Canada to/from the United States, then currency declarations are, by law, are absolutely required. To travel internationally, not declaring, with funds exceeding $10000, and if caught, subjects you to various levels of seizure. What this means, is you must declare at the closest point of exit where a customs office is present. Leaving Mcarran, you declare the value of all currencies in your possession, where the sum value, in USD exceeds 10k. When entering Canada, you declare the value of all currencies in your possession where the sum value, in CAD, exceeds 10k.

The Canada US exchange rate has fluctuated wildly in recent years. Right now, For the sake of argument, leaving Vegas, I wouldn't declare USD 7k leaving, but would declare USD 7k entering Canada since it is do close to CAD 10k.

[Ryemo]

What is the best way to fly with over 10k in cash? Is it even something to worry about? In the past i've just placed 3-4k bundles in my carry-on, pockets, and wallet.

You should be fine domestically. Especially if you're traveling to a large gambling destination, such as Las Vegas. The personnel at McCarran airport are used to seeing large sums of money go in and out of there. If you're truly concerned, you could always take $10K cash and a cashiers check for $X amount. I've done that on my past gambling trips just so I didn't have to walk around with such a large amount of currency.

[Romes]

^^^^^ Cashiers checks is another good idea.

On the radio show Gambling With An Edge, Richard (or the guest, but I think it was RM) I believe promoted rubber banding the money in to a couple $5k wads and holding it in your hands over your head when you're in the body scanner. I did this the last time I went to Vegas and the security guy had to thumb through it to make sure there were no small drug packets or something but then handed it right back to me and I was on my way.

This is another good way to keep your eyes on your money at all times too. They didn't even ask me why I had it, etc, and I'm a younger looking guy that was holding $5k cash. This is the way it should be and I'll probably continue to carry money through my travels.

[Stealth]

I believe promoted rubber banding the money in to a couple $5k wads and holding it in your hands over your head when you're in the body scanner. I did this the last time I went to Vegas and the security guy had to thumb through it to make sure there were no small drug packets or something but then handed it right back to me and I was on my way.

Have done this many times with as much as 50K with no issue. I begin to be concerned above 25K. Having it hidden in carry on's might get you profiled as a drug dealer. Most of the TSA check points require you to empty your pockets so hiding it there does not work. Best to just show it to them while holding it in your hands.

However, you should carry some chips and/or session logs or other proof that you are gambling and not a drug dealer. The biggest exposure is that TSA profiles you and calls in DEA, then your cash will likely get confiscated and you will have an expensive an long drawn out event with lawyers to get it back. Some pros have gotten their lawyers to provide a letter they carry that identifies them as professional gamblers in these instances.

Some of the laws that allow this type on confiscation have been changed to not allow indiscriminate seizure.

There are similar problems while traveling with large sums of cash in car and getting stopped for traffic violation. Especially, various interstates known for drug trafficking.

Also there may be some protections if you place the cash in an envelope with postage and an address. Then it is US Mail and there are rules about opening mail. I know some players who did this and never had an issue. I never tried it.

Above all be very careful.

[ZenMaster_Flash]

I always travel with middle 5 figures and on occasion 6 figures.

I purposely create lots of CTR's at my bank and have never had

a problem after many hundreds of bank and casino CTR's.

The Dept. of Justice has no interest in me; or in you for that matter.

I withdraw CASH from my bank and keep the receipts with me.

TSA Agents and cops are aware that a ne'er-do-well miscreant drug dealer, etc.

would not be moving large chunks of cash in and out of a banking institution.

I have never had a problem with this. In general, I have not even be asked for

the purpose not carrying money. On a few occasions I have whipped out a few

casino chips and something mailed to me from a casino. On just one occasion,

shortly after 9-11, I was required by an overly zealous T.S.A. agent to let him

photograph my 5 figures in cash, [with a similar amount in chips, and my driver's

license on top]. Then I got a "brainstorm" about cash bank receipts. So, I asked the

T S A agent about it. She replied that she "cannot discuss procedural matters", but

with "a wink and a nod" se communicated that it'd be a good idea. She was right.

[LVBear584]

I always travel with middle 5 figures and on occasion 6 figures. ...

I withdraw CASH from my bank and keep the receipts with me.

What document do you get from a bank that shows you withdrew cash?

[Freightman]

What document do you get from a bank that shows you withdrew cash?

A receipt.
My bank hands me a receipt that itemizes cheques and cash, for both deposits and withdrawals. This us at the teller, not the ATM.

[Norm]

Citibank ATMs give you the option at the end to e-mail you a record of your transactions. I find this useful. ATMs are becoming more sophisticated.

[Bigdaddy]

Most of the TSA check points require you to empty your pockets so hiding it there does not work. Best to just show it to them while holding it in your hands.

If you register for TSA Pre-check, then you go through the special Pre-check line the old-fashioned way. No need to empty pockets or take off shoes, etc. Just need to get any metal off your person to pass through the metal detector.It' definitely worth the 85 bucks...

https://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck/apply

[ZenMaster_Flash]

"What document do you get from a bank that shows you withdrew cash?"

My Federal Credit Union lists checks and cash separately.

Next time I will take a photo of such a receipt and post it.