amount of cash
 

Sry if this is the wrong forum. I was wondering there is no limit on the amount of cash I can bring through the airport. I live in the US so I dont have to worry about regulations from the border people. I was wondering if they will say anything if I have 40-50 K in my carry on bag. Will they mess with me or say nothing.

Thank You

Re: amount of cash
 

bank wire. b&m forum.

Re: amount of cash
 

International travellers have to declare cash of over $10K.

I'm not sure of flights within the US, but I expect you'd be pulled aside and questioned about it. I'd call the airline or TSA and ask about it before heading to the airport.

Re: amount of cash
 

you can fly anywhere in the us w/ 50k or less and have no problem unless you look extremely shady. I wouldn't really take >100k if it can be avoided, but the worst case scenario is you get questioned extra (mediocre hassle at worst).

Re: amount of cash
 

[ QUOTE ]
the worst case scenario is your money gets confiscated and you never get it back.

[/ QUOTE ]

Unlikely, but possible.

Re: amount of cash
 

I dont understand why they would take it.

Re: amount of cash
 

b/c security immediately thinks it's cocaine money. that's what they've been trained for.

Re: amount of cash
 

[ QUOTE ]
b/c security immediately thinks it's cocaine money. that's what they've been trained for.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, and that's the only way to preserve our freedoms. Because we're a free country, see, and if the drug dealers can carry around cash without the fear of having it summarily confiscated, or at least knowing that having it confiscated would require a trial, well, then, we won't be as free.

Drug dealers hate us for our freedoms. But we're doing something about that.

Re: amount of cash
 

anything over $10K can get you into trouble. consider wiring money ahead of time

Re: amount of cash
 

It is not probable cause of a crime just because an individual has large sums of money. There was a case in CA where an officer confiscated and arrested a man based on 30k he had on him. The court struck it down and most states have done the same. If a police officer found large sums of money on you, he could detain you to see if a crime was committed but the money isn't evidence itself. Been TONS of cases where some known-drug-dealer had a lot of money on them, and the police searched their homes/cars for drugs.... and the entire case got thrown out because of illegal searches.



Now if you travel into the USA, there is the Bank security act of 1970 which states you must declare money over 10,000 USD. If you fail to do so, you have committed a crime. The Feds had try to just confiscate the money but this looks like it will be challenged in the Supreme Court. The reason is simple.... when you confiscate 100,000 USD .... well that is an excessive fine. Most agree the government doesn't have the right to just "take" anything used in a crime. They have done this with drug-houses (not owned by the drug-dealers) and the supreme court told the feds they were going pass their authority.


Must be nice to be a custom official, find 200,000 dollars and tell the person he can leave and his fine will be 200,000 dollars =)

Re: amount of cash
 

While there are several reasons that it might be unwise to carry tens of thousands of dollars in cash, I am reasonably sure you do not violate any law by doing so within the country, including on an airplane.

Re: amount of cash
 

you are only allowed 10k by US customs...they WILL stop you, and detain you...

Re: amount of cash
 

Read the OP. He's not going through Customs.

Re: amount of cash
 

[ QUOTE ]
you are only allowed 10k by US customs...they WILL stop you, and detain you...

[/ QUOTE ]

Additionally to being irrelevant to the OP, this isn't even true. You MAY bring over $10,000 through customs, you just have to declare it.

Re: amount of cash
 

this is very easy.
If carrying a large amount of cash ask for a hand search in privet. Explain why you have the cash and all is good.
Allow for extra time for checking in.

Re: amount of cash
 

[ QUOTE ]
Sry if this is the wrong forum. I was wondering there is no limit on the amount of cash I can bring through the airport. I live in the US so I dont have to worry about regulations from the border people. I was wondering if they will say anything if I have 40-50 K in my carry on bag. Will they mess with me or say nothing.

Thank You

[/ QUOTE ]

You ask 2 distinctly different questions here. The answer to your first question is that there is no law that limits the amount of cash you can carry within the US. The answer to your second question is that you will likely get some attention if a security guard notices that you are carrying $40-$50K. This money could possibly be seized and confiscated, although it is unlikely. As others have posted, having large amounts of cash alone is not grounds for confiscation, but probable cause can include such things as acting nervously, dogs finding drug residue on some of the $100 bills, telling the officer a story that doesn't completely check out, etc. Bottom line is that yes, you could be in for a major hassle even though there are no laws against carrying that amount of cash. My advice would be to just wire it.

Whatever you do, please do not put $40-$50K in a carry on bag. Carry it on your body.

Re: amount of cash
 

OK So is the general Rule if you are carrying a larg amount of Cash just be upfront about it with Security and you won't have a problem?

Re: amount of cash
 

Cardcounters have had cash seized from them for time immemorial. The Biloxi/New Orleans routes were famous for this. Unless the laws have changed in the last 6 or 7 years it's a real threat. The people found with cash use the same explanation every cop is used to hearing from drug dealers: "It's gambling money". You may have to sue to get it back, which you usually do, but it costs time and money. Around 7 years ago a friend of mine was on a blackjack team and their car had low 6 figures cash in the trunk. They were stopped speeding in a rural area by a local sheriff. They got smart with him when he asked to search their car and asked what his probable cause was. He brought in a drug dog who walked around the car 3 times without incident. The sheriff slapped their trunk, the dog barked, and he said, "There's our probable cause." They spent hours handcuffed at the local jail and went through hoops to get their money back, with about 4 thousand short for "expenses". It's a very real threat although with the recent explosion of poker around the country they may be more lax now. I have no current incidents.

Re: amount of cash
 

There was a pretty well publicized case about a year ago where 3 guys flew to Chicago from Mexico with approx $130K in cash. They rented a van and were driving to another state when a police officer stopped them. The cash was confiscated and kept even though the guys were never convicted of any crime.

The police had some probable cause. Namely that the 3 guys were not US citizens, they had traveled on one way tickets, were carrying a large amount of cash and drug dogs alerted to some of the cash. In addition, the guys were evasive about who had rented the van (this could have been partly due to the fact that they did not speak English). The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, and in the end, the state kept the cash even though they could not prove that any crime had been committed.

Re: amount of cash
 

I am just going to carry it on me. They dont pat you down when you walk through security. If they say something, I am going to say I am going to vegas, any comments

Re: amount of cash
 

If you bank at a national bank, chances are there is a branch in Vegas, just make a withdrawl when you get there.

Re: amount of cash
 

OK so i just talked to a TSA representitive. For Domestic Flights There is no limit on the Amount of money you can carry. They told me to ask for a privet screening and to be prepaired to answer a few more additional questions so to allow about 20-30 more minutes for going through security but unless they find something illeagal in your possesion they cannot confiscate your cash.
As far as the stories of people being pulled over and getting screwed bu the police, that is a different situation than declaring a large amount of cash at an airport security checkpoint. Police investigate possible crime, Airport security's purpose is to make sure that you are safe to fly.

Re: amount of cash
 

[ QUOTE ]
OK so i just talked to a TSA representitive. For Domestic Flights There is no limit on the Amount of money you can carry. They told me to ask for a privet screening and to be prepaired to answer a few more additional questions so to allow about 20-30 more minutes for going through security but unless they find something illeagal in your possesion they cannot confiscate your cash.
As far as the stories of people being pulled over and getting screwed bu the police, that is a different situation than declaring a large amount of cash at an airport security checkpoint. Police investigate possible crime, Airport security's purpose is to make sure that you are safe to fly.

[/ QUOTE ]
Do you ask for a private screening up front or ask for a private screening if they find the cash?

If you have the cash on you it is not going to set off anything.

Re: amount of cash
 

[ QUOTE ]
There was a pretty well publicized case about a year ago where 3 guys flew to Chicago from Mexico with approx $130K in cash. They rented a van and were driving to another state when a police officer stopped them. The cash was confiscated and kept even though the guys were never convicted of any crime.

The police had some probable cause. Namely that the 3 guys were not US citizens, they had traveled on one way tickets, were carrying a large amount of cash and drug dogs alerted to some of the cash. In addition, the guys were evasive about who had rented the van (this could have been partly due to the fact that they did not speak English). The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, and in the end, the state kept the cash even though they could not prove that any crime had been committed.

[/ QUOTE ]

I would have to pull the case again, but from memory, it was a case in Nebraska. The money was bundled in odd amounts, but it also allegedly had enough trace residue to alert the dogs...never mind that just about anyone with at least $100 on them will have enough trace residue to alert a dog.

They had gone to purchase a truck and wound up not making the purchase. The cash was bundled in the increments that each person had contributed to the potential purchase. However, one alert from the dog and it was gone.

As I recall, there was a dissenting opinion in the case, but it remains controlling for that Circuit and the cash remains gone to those poor schmucks from whom it was confiscated.

(yeah, criminal law is one of my daily involvements)

Re: amount of cash
 

[ QUOTE ]

I would have to pull the case again, but from memory, it was a case in Nebraska. The money was bundled in odd amounts, but it also allegedly had enough trace residue to alert the dogs...never mind that just about anyone with at least $100 on them will have enough trace residue to alert a dog.



[/ QUOTE ]

I Hate to be judgemental of our neighbors to the south but a 130K in cash from mexico I believe would a bit more "contaminated" than a big group of mostley new hundreds from banks and several of the massive casinos.

Re: amount of cash
 

[ QUOTE ]

As others have posted, having large amounts of cash alone is not grounds for confiscation, but probable cause can include such things as acting nervously, dogs finding drug residue on some of the $100 bills, telling the officer a story that doesn't completely check out, etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is totally incorrect. Large sums of cash and acting nervously do not constitute probable cause at all.

Re: amount of cash
 

[ QUOTE ]

I would have to pull the case again, but from memory, it was a case in Nebraska. The money was bundled in odd amounts, but it also allegedly had enough trace residue to alert the dogs...never mind that just about anyone with at least $100 on them will have enough trace residue to alert a dog.



[/ QUOTE ]


You are talking about the Eighth Circuit Appeals court. This court is controversial because of its strong republican stance (people have argue the court acts more as an arm for the republican.... but then again, you got other courts that are almost all democrats). But currently, the Eighth circuit court is the only court at the moment that believes large-sums-of-cash is probable cause.


This type of case is one the Supreme Court is considering. Historically, the Supreme Court has mandated that confiscation of property is in violation of people's right when the value of the property is greater than the punishment for the crime. Think of it this way.... police officer pulls you over for speeding, but decides to take your brand-new E-class benz instead of writing you a ticket.


One thing I do not understand. I read the judges decision (and there was some decent) but the government is still legally obligated to return seized property. In other words, if the government wants to keep the money... they must go to court. I can't find any evidence that he is challenging for the money back. I suppose they are appealing the decision first.... but bit odd I can't find more about the case.

Re: amount of cash
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

As others have posted, having large amounts of cash alone is not grounds for confiscation, but probable cause can include such things as acting nervously, dogs finding drug residue on some of the $100 bills, telling the officer a story that doesn't completely check out, etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is totally incorrect. Large sums of cash and acting nervously do not constitute probable cause at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was thinking of the case that you mention in your next post. The suspects behavior was part of the probable cause cited, I believe (although I could be mistaken). Large sums of cash was definately part of the probable cause in that case. I would actually be relieved to learn that this was just a rogue court and most courts do not consider a large amount of cash to be probable cause.

Re: amount of cash
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

As others have posted, having large amounts of cash alone is not grounds for confiscation, but probable cause can include such things as acting nervously, dogs finding drug residue on some of the $100 bills, telling the officer a story that doesn't completely check out, etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is totally incorrect. Large sums of cash and acting nervously do not constitute probable cause at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was thinking of the case that you mention in your next post. The suspects behavior was part of the probable cause cited, I believe (although I could be mistaken). Large sums of cash was definately part of the probable cause in that case. I would actually be relieved to learn that this was just a rogue court and most courts do not consider a large amount of cash to be probable cause.

[/ QUOTE ]

You can consider it a rouge court decision. Those courts often disagree on a whole group of issues... and this is just one of them (and why the Supreme court is likely to deal with it in the future).

What is interesting is the court said you need to look at the "whole picture". It seemed like the main point of their decision was the fact the guy couldn't explain where the money came from. To me, that seems to go against the individual's 5th amendment. In the seventh court of Appeals... there was a case where some police-officer found 30k and then used that as probable cause to find drugs. The court went strongly against the police saying they violated his rights. So yes... it all depends.




Some courts use common sense and make the law work to that.


Some courts ignore common sense all together and try to paint a black and white picture.


Supreme Court tends to look at the real big picture and understands there is a slippery slope. They are great of creating a verdict on points that seem unrelated to the case. They also seem to always agree to have the vote almost equal so people think there was some doubt in their minds (yep... they do that on purpose .... might as well be politicians)

Re: amount of cash
 

If you plead the fifth at a trial in federal district court the judge can instruct the jury that your refusal to testify can be held against you and the judge may prevent you from entering certain exhibits into evidence.

Re: amount of cash
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
OK so i just talked to a TSA representitive. For Domestic Flights There is no limit on the Amount of money you can carry. They told me to ask for a privet screening and to be prepaired to answer a few more additional questions so to allow about 20-30 more minutes for going through security but unless they find something illeagal in your possesion they cannot confiscate your cash.
As far as the stories of people being pulled over and getting screwed bu the police, that is a different situation than declaring a large amount of cash at an airport security checkpoint. Police investigate possible crime, Airport security's purpose is to make sure that you are safe to fly.

[/ QUOTE ]
Do you ask for a private screening up front or ask for a private screening if they find the cash?

If you have the cash on you it is not going to set off anything.

[/ QUOTE ]