View Full Version : How much cash can you carry? Is there a law?
brokenscout
08-22-2013, 08:12
Don't like keeping it in the bank. Is there a law as to how much you can have on you? Thanks. I'm asking because I was taking a trip and had acouple thousand cash(several firearms AKs:)) and I hit a DHS check point in KS looking for drugs and currency.
SuperiorDG
08-22-2013, 08:16
No more then 10 grand.
tmleadr03
08-22-2013, 08:17
No more then 10 grand.
Not true.
You can carry as much as you want but if you USE more 10K or more at a time you have to fill out IRS paperwork. Cash deals are clearly drug deals...
Rooskibar03
08-22-2013, 08:18
I don't keep more than 6 or 7 bucks on me a time.
But that has nothing to do with any laws, its all I've got.
brokenscout
08-22-2013, 08:19
Lol, until I got divorced I know what you mean
I don't keep more than 6 or 7 bucks on me a time.
But that has nothing to do with any laws, its all I've got.
Kinda risky carrying that much cash on you all the time. I wouldn't feel comfortable with more than $500 at a time unless I'm heading straight to buy something!
I don't keep more than 6 or 7 bucks on me a time.
But that has nothing to do with any laws, its all I've got.[/QUOTE]
LOL, I'm right there with ya brother.
Great-Kazoo
08-22-2013, 08:22
What ever you feel comfortable with.
You can have on you as much as you feel safe carrying. Certain transactions over 10k are required to be recorded and tracked by the IRS. These are usually for people who show up to a broker and say "I want 5000 shares of Google stock, and I'm paying in cash." You also can not cross an international border from the US with more than 10k in cash, traveler's checks, bearer bonds or other easily convertible US currency without notifying the gov.
also if you cannot prove where it came from the police can just take it from you
I have heard various rumors about being stopped from boarding a plane due to too much cash on hand. True?
brokenscout
08-22-2013, 08:31
Don't they have to prove something to take it?
also if you cannot prove where it came from the police can just take it from you
JohnTRourke
08-22-2013, 08:32
so, among all these lovely posts here, who exactly still thinks we don't live in a police state?????
spqrzilla
08-22-2013, 08:34
There is no law regarding how much cash you are allowed to carry. The $10,000 number is how much the bank must report if you make a deposit or withdrawal in cash. (And multiple $9,999 transactions to avoid the report is a crime too).
The problem is that if police find a large amount of cash, they confiscate it - claim that its the proceeds of crime - and make you prove its not.
Don't they have to prove something to take it?
no the burden of proof is on you to prove you got it legally (sold a car, won it in a casino etc)
blacklabel
08-22-2013, 08:40
Not that I've ever had that amount of cash on me but if I did and had to travel with it, it would go in a decent safe that was bolted/welded/whatever to the floor of my truck. It'll stop the immediate confiscation and the chance of a smash and grab.
It is legal to carry any amount of cash, but quite imprudent to do so. The money would be suspected illegal and seized and then you have to hire a lawyer to fight for its return. Banks are required to report all cash transactions of more than $10,000.
Carrying Cash During Air Travel:
There is no limit to the amount of cash that may be carried on any flight, either domestic or international or any other means of crossing the border. The people who are saying that there is a limit on international flights or international travel of any means are not correct -- for international travel arriving in or departing from the US, you may carry as much cash as you'd like; however, any amounts in excess of $10,000 must be declared to US Customs either upon departure or upon arrival.
speedysst
08-22-2013, 08:43
Interesting, the first thing I thought was why the hell is there a DHS checkpoint in Kansas?
10mm-man
08-22-2013, 08:46
Interesting, the first thing I thought was why the hell is there a DHS checkpoint in Kansas?
My thoughts exactly! What kind was it- VIPER team?
hghclsswhitetrsh
08-22-2013, 08:47
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/22/3ega9u3y.jpg
Eh that's why I make my lab carry my cash. That way if shit does go down, he goes to the clink not me.
trlcavscout
08-22-2013, 08:52
Ya the popo in some areas will take $100 bill if that's all you have and claim you were looking for drugs. Seen that stuff in Vegas and Phoenix. Greeley PD would chop you up and spread you in a cornfield over $50, Evans PD would just shoot you, take your money and plant a gun.
And Jim what's up with the bald short guy in Windsor that keeps eye balling me? I don't know if he is feeling froggy or if he wants a date?
I normally carry small amounts in my wallet and the rest of my travel money in a hidden safe.
trlcavscout
08-22-2013, 08:57
Interesting, the first thing I thought was why the hell is there a DHS checkpoint in Kansas?
Apparently Colorado is the new mexico, tons get grown here and distributed through out the US, I70 both ways is a big distribution route. Makes me proud to be a Colorado resident when I go to WY and people ask me if I am hauling marijowanna. I find houses all the time in Greeley with full basement hydroponic systems, way more then there 2 plants or whatever is legal now.
StagLefty
08-22-2013, 09:04
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/08/22/3ega9u3y.jpg
Eh that's why I make my lab carry my cash. That way if shit does go down, he goes to the clink not me.
Does that dog have an MJ card ? He looks suspicious. [ROFL2]
kawiracer14
08-22-2013, 09:08
I usually don't have more than $40 on me ever... thats what credit cards are for. If my credit card gets stolen my bank calls me and lets me know before I would know many times.
I have been asked at borders before how much cash I'm carrying.
I would only carry that much money in bales or marijuana or kilos of coke.
For large amounts, carry gold, not cash.
hghclsswhitetrsh
08-22-2013, 09:44
Does that dog have an MJ card ? He looks suspicious. [ROFL2]
Yes he's old and has glaucoma, stiff joints and a hurt back.
Well, a million dollars in $100 bills weighs about 22 lbs. I can probably carry about 110 pounds for a considerable distance, so it would seem that the Law of Gravity would restrict me to carrying about 5 million dollars on any regular basis. I would be happy to verify this empirically, if any of you happen to have that quantity of cash laying around. Of course, I'll need to keep the cash afterward, as part of the experiment.
It's sad that you have to question how much cash is LEGAL to carry. Just like the 15 round nonsense. So nothing bad can happen as long as you only have 14 bullets but 16, WHOA, watch out! It's illegal to buy $50 worth of drugs or $50k worth of drugs. So is it safe to assume that someone with a full tank of gas is getting ready to take the police on a high speed chase for 4 hours? Maybe we should only allow 5 gallons of gas at one time.
Lets meet up at a construction site downtown at night to discuss!
Post Toastie
08-22-2013, 10:20
I usually don't have more than $40 on me ever... thats what credit cards are for. If my credit card gets stolen my bank calls me and lets me know before I would know many times.
There are many circumstances where I would rather not use my card. Purchases are too easily tracked...
You must be a drug dealer... It's for the children :)
ChunkyMonkey
08-22-2013, 10:44
Don't they have to prove something to take it?
No they dont.. My partner's $50k in cash were seized by DHS because he didn't have paper trail. He had to prove that its all taxed money to get it back. $3000 in lawyer fee and 3 months later, he got it back. It was ridiculous. Gold/silver/diamond investors deal with cash only sometimes.
DingleBerns
08-22-2013, 11:01
I don't carry any cash on me, only plastic. All my cash is in the bank and i use the card to build up miles.
Edit: I lied, I carry $1.08 on me everyday for a breakfast burrito on the way home from work (only because there is a $4 minimum to use plastic).
KestrelBike
08-22-2013, 11:10
I sold my bike a few years ago for $7,000, and that cash was burning an incredible hole in my pocket as my sister demanded we go pumpkin shopping immediately afterward. Couldn't get to my credit union fast enough heh.
There is no law regarding how much cash you are allowed to carry. The $10,000 number is how much the bank must report if you make a deposit or withdrawal in cash. (And multiple $9,999 transactions to avoid the report is a crime too).
The problem is that if police find a large amount of cash, they confiscate it - claim that its the proceeds of crime - and make you prove its not.
Someone tell me exactly how in the h**l this is not a violation of the 4th and possibly 5th amendments. [Mad] [Bang]
BTW, I've been very aware of this law for the past 25 or so years and it still p**sses me off!
I don't regularly carry cash. I rarely have more than $20 in my pocket, which is already uncommon.
Why don't you like keeping money in the bank, where it's actually insured if it's lost or stolen?
You can carry around as much in cash and gold as your helicopter will allow if you're Rich Wyatt.
Post Toastie
08-22-2013, 11:33
You can carry around as much in cash and gold as your helicopter will allow if you're Rich Wyatt.
Word!
it is my understanding tat the 10k limit on transactions was changed to 5k several years ago for banks etc. That is what the credit union told me when I deposited my fathers inheritance check for him.
jhood001
08-22-2013, 11:36
I don't regularly carry cash. I rarely have more than $20 in my pocket, which is already uncommon.
Why don't you like keeping money in the bank, where it's actually insured if it's lost or stolen?
For me personally, I don't mind keeping money in the bank. I just take issue with a percentage of every transaction made with a piece of plastic being taken by a bank. We often complain about inflation, but we seldom talk about the increase in the costs of goods as the result of including a middle man when we buy everything from electronics to a can of soda at a gas station with a credit or debit card.
Out of principal, I use cash whenever I can. As was also mentioned in the thread - I also don't care for anyone to know what I purchase and when. It is between me and the seller.
Also, the 10k limit on a deposit is the trigger to fill out tax related forms, but the deposit amount to get you 'flagged' (a report filed) at the bank is much lower. Somewhere around 3-6k.
... Why don't you like keeping money in the bank, where it's actually insured if it's lost or stolen?
http://www.silverdoctors.com/us-bank-run-imminent-as-fdic-expanded-deposit-insurance-ends-dec-31st/
http://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/barnhardt-on-money-banking-and-men/
The percentage being taken is taken from the person receiving the transaction. If they are charging you for it, then that is in violation of their credit card service agreement, and they can be prevented from using those services in the future.
http://www.silverdoctors.com/us-bank-run-imminent-as-fdic-expanded-deposit-insurance-ends-dec-31st/
http://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/barnhardt-on-money-banking-and-men/
The first link is extremely biased, as they are trying to move you away from paper currency to their product. How many places actually take gold/silver as payment? Can you buy groceries with silver?
The other is an opinion piece from someone with no background in the financial or economic sectors.
jhood001
08-22-2013, 11:41
The percentage being taken is taken from the person receiving the transaction. If they are charging you for it, then that is in violation of their credit card service agreement, and they can be prevented from using those services in the future.
Correct, Ridge. But do you not think that expense is considered when they price their goods?
ZERO THEORY
08-22-2013, 11:42
It's not that it's illegal, but they'll certainly be curious about you carrying more than $10K at a time. Namely when you're traveling somewhere. They won't give you too much guff if you're on your way to buy a car cash (and can provide proof of income if necessary), but if you're taking an international flight and have $125K in a briefcase, they're going to have some questions for you.
brokenscout
08-22-2013, 11:43
The bank told me that also
it is my understanding tat the 10k limit on transactions was changed to 5k several years ago for banks etc. That is what the credit union told me when I deposited my fathers inheritance check for him.
brokenscout
08-22-2013, 11:46
Don't like banks, just got divorced. Just like having the cash
I don't regularly carry cash. I rarely have more than $20 in my pocket, which is already uncommon.
Why don't you like keeping money in the bank, where it's actually insured if it's lost or stolen?
brokenscout
08-22-2013, 11:47
Well it sounds like the biggest worry is having the Police steal it
ChunkyMonkey
08-22-2013, 11:55
Well it sounds like the biggest worry is having the Police steal it
LOL..sadly, the truth.. not necessarily the police.. just the big .gov in general where ever your money in what ever form.
http://www.silverdoctors.com/us-bank-run-imminent-as-fdic-expanded-deposit-insurance-ends-dec-31st/
http://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/barnhardt-on-money-banking-and-men/
The first link is extremely biased, as they are trying to move you away from paper currency to their product. How many places actually take gold/silver as payment? Can you buy groceries with silver?
The other is an opinion piece from someone with no background in the financial or economic sectors.
Just attempting to answer your question as to why I personally exited the banking system as much as possible.
There are several more articles pertaining to the possibility of an economic collapse. Just do your own search and perhaps find an opinion you deem worthy. BTW, stating that Ann Barnhardt has "no background in the financial or economic sectors," is completely false. Many disagree with her Catholicism posts, but often appreciate her knowledge of finance.
Here are a couple of financial sites I find worth following:
http://market-ticker.org/
http://www.zerohedge.com/ (http://www.zerohedge.com/)
Good luck.
Well it sounds like the biggest worry is having the Police steal it
or your house burning down, etc...
Rooskibar03
08-22-2013, 12:07
There was a dude here at work who carried around a strap of $2 bills. Was rather comical to watch him whip it out and peel those off to pay for a burrito.
Caithford
08-22-2013, 12:10
There was a dude here at work who carried around a strap of $2 bills. Was rather comical to watch him whip it out and peel those off to pay for a burrito.
Did he ever get questioned as to trying to pass off fake $$? There was another thread about that sort of thing :P
Just attempting to answer your question as to why I personally exited the banking system as much as possible.
There are several more articles pertaining to the possibility of an economic collapse. Just do your own search and perhaps find an opinion you deem worthy. BTW, stating that Ann Barnhardt has "no background in the financial or economic sectors," is completely false. Many disagree with her Catholicism posts, but often appreciate her knowledge of finance.
Here are a couple of financial sites I find worth following:
http://market-ticker.org/
http://www.zerohedge.com/ (http://www.zerohedge.com/)
Good luck.
I went to her website. She has a degree in animal husbandry, and she teaches farmers how to sell livestock. That in no way translates to understanding and commenting on what is going on in DC and on Wall Street.
Could you hire a limo for travel? I've heard something about not being able to open the back with a paying passenger or something, but that sounds weak.
Another incident of cops just confiscating money on a hunch and not probable cause.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2375676/Judge-orders-strippers-1-million-cash-life-savings-returned--year-state-trooper-confiscated-drugs-money.html
I've got 15k on me right now... It's normal.
Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.
Already posted but for those that can't READ or Comprehend here it is again:
Carrying Cash During Air Travel:
There is no limit to the amount of cash that may be carried on any flight, either domestic or international or any other means of crossing the border. The people who are saying that there is a limit on international flights or international travel of any means are not correct -- for international travel arriving in or departing from the US, you may carry as much cash as you'd like; however, any amounts in excess of $10,000 must be declared to US Customs either upon departure or upon arrival.
Rooskibar03
08-22-2013, 13:21
I've got 15k on me right now... It's normal.
Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.
Care to share where you will be eating lunch? Oh and can you sit with your back to the door? Thanks. [ROFL3]
The percentage being taken is taken from the person receiving the transaction. If they are charging you for it, then that is in violation of their credit card service agreement, and they can be prevented from using those services in the future.
You're talking a credit transaction. USB and many others still charge for DEBIT postings on checking account cards.
FWIW, I use my AMEX or if I have to, a VISA credit. My checking debit/Visa card is for ATM use only.
IRS: Section 5. Money Laundering and Currency Crimes (http://www.irs.gov/irm/part9/irm_09-005-005.html)
Post Toastie
08-22-2013, 15:20
IRS: Section 5. Money Laundering and Currency Crimes (http://www.irs.gov/irm/part9/irm_09-005-005.html)
That's some mighty fine reading there...
Some reading on bulk cash smuggling:
http://www.ice.gov/bulk-cash-smuggling-center/faq/
and here is a recent article on the misuse of asset forfeiture laws by some jurisdictions:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/08/12/130812fa_fact_stillman?mobify=0
Like all kinds of other things in life...carry what you need. Nothing more and certainly nothing less. Laws of survival are more important than the laws of men.
Be safe.
That's some mighty fine reading there...
Somebody asked the question....
If you have insomnia, just start reading from the top.
centrarchidae
08-22-2013, 20:20
Having sat through LE training on exactly this subject...
No limit on what you can carry, in the US. US law doesn't limit what you can carry in international travel either.
If a financial institution (which includes car dealers and a few other businesses that you may not traditionally think of as a bank) engages in a transaction in which $10K in cash changes hands, they're required to file a "Cash Transaction Report" with the US Dep't of the Treasury. The majority of CTRs get filed somewhere in El Paso, never to be seen again.
If you enter or leave the US with greater than $10K, you're required to declare it to US Customs. Again, that form gets filed somewhere. In the absence of other suspicious triggers, it'll probably never be seen by other human eyes again.
If a financial institution engages in a smaller transaction (with no floor on the amount) which appears to them to be suspicious, they then file what's called a "Suspicious Activity Report" with Treasury. Those may or may not get additional follow-up investigation, depending upon which investigator sees them and whether the bank also copies local LE on them. The existence of an SAR is not, by itself, legal justification to seize the money or shoot your dog, and Treasury actually makes it pretty difficult for local LE to use SARs as the basis for further action.
It was an SAR on money that former NY Guv (and all-around Democrat jackwad) Elliot Spitzer was withdrawing to pay off that prostitute that stung him: FBI got the SARs and thought he was hiding bribe money.
There have been rumblings about raising the amount to trigger the CTR requirement from $10K to $20K or more, but those happen every few years and rarely seem to go anywhere.
As for the forfeiture thing...in CO, it's pretty difficult for LE to seize and forfeit money under state law since our laws got rewritten in 2001-2002, and a lot of agencies don't bother anymore. However, Federal law on forfeitures carried out by Federal agencies hasn't changed and requires us to trust officer discretion and prosecutor discretion far more than I like.
Somebody asked the question....
If you have insomnia, just start reading from the top.
LMAO. Just wait until you get to 9.5.5.2.3 (08-27-2007). That really threw me for a loop.
Be careful, there are plenty of stories of people getting stopped for something, cops find large wad of cash and then cops seize large wad of cash because they assume it is related to drugs or some other nefarious thing. These people often do not get their money back even if they are not charged with a crime or found guilty of a crime.
Look up "civil asset forfeiture"..
http://rt.com/usa/civil-forfeiture-new-yorker-244/
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/08/12/130812fa_fact_stillman
From above:
The basic principle behind asset forfeiture is appealing. It enables authorities to confiscate cash or property obtained through illicit means, and, in many states, funnel the proceeds directly into the fight against crime. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, cops drive a Cadillac Escalade stencilled with the words “this used to be a drug dealer’s car, now it’s ours!” In Monroe, North Carolina, police recently proposed using forty-four thousand dollars in confiscated drug money to buy a surveillance drone, which might be deployed to catch fleeing suspects, conduct rescue missions, and, perhaps, seize more drug money. Hundreds of state and federal laws authorize forfeiture for cockfighting, drag racing, basement gambling, endangered-fish poaching, securities fraud, and countless other misdeeds.
In general, you needn’t be found guilty to have your assets claimed by law enforcement; in some states, suspicion on a par with “probable cause” is sufficient. Nor must you be charged with a crime, or even be accused of one. Unlike criminal forfeiture, which requires that a person be convicted of an offense before his or her property is confiscated, civil forfeiture amounts to a lawsuit filed directly against a possession, regardless of its owner’s guilt or innocence.
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