I had a PH tell me today, that when his clients came over last month, the Customs agents in Atlanta were checking all the hunters to see if they had more than $10,000 in cash or travelers checks with them.

This has been the case for many years. If you are taking more than $10,000 out of the US for any reason you have to fill out a form stating the amount. It is not illegal to do so, but just requires that the form be filled out.

Jim

The amount of USD you are leaving with is a required notice, if it is over 10000. If you do not declare it, it is subject to confiscation, the entire amount.

(close family member retired from customs)

This is to twart the drug trade Just like 100$ bills did that, when they made the 500 and 1000 illegal

US Customs form 4790



Currency Reporting



It is legal to transport any amount of currency or other monetary instruments into or out of the United States. However, if you transport, attempt to transport, or cause to be transported (including by mail or other means) currency or other monetary instruments in an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000 (or its foreign equivalent) at one time from the United States to any foreign place, or into the United States from any foreign place, you must file a report with U.S. Customs. This report is called the Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments, Customs Form 4790 (http://www.customs.gov/travel/forms.htm). Furthermore, if you receive in the United States, currency or other monetary instruments in an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000 (or its foreign equivalent) at one time which has been transported, mailed, or shipped to you from any foreign place, you must file a CF-4790. These forms can be obtained at all U.S. ports of entry and departure.



Monetary instruments include: 1) U.S. or foreign coins and currency; 2) traveler checks in any form; 3) negotiable instruments (including checks, promissory notes, and money orders) that are either in bearer form, endorsed without restriction, made out to a fictitious payee, or otherwise in such form that title thereto passes upon delivery; 4) incomplete instruments (including checks, promissory notes, and money orders) signed, but with they payee�s name omitted; and 5) securities or stock in bearer form or otherwise in such form that title thereto passes upon delivery. However, the term "monetary instruments" does not include: 1) checks or money orders made payable to the order of a named person which have not been endorsed or which bear restrictive endorsements; 2) warehouse receipts; or 3) bills of lading.

Reporting is required under the Currency and Foreign Transaction Reporting Act (PL 97-258, 31 U.S.C. 5311, et seq.), as amended. Failure to comply can result in civil and criminal penalties and may lead to forfeiture of your monetary instrument(s).





download form



http://www.cbp.gov/ImageCache/cgov/content/forms/4790_2epdf/v1/4790.pdf



This has always been, I guess I will be adding this form to my clients tickets packet



If you need this form let me know.



Kathi



kathi@wldtravel

I figured I would do this when I got to the Atlanta airport one time. What a headache. I had to fight my way through the exit hall to get to the customs office, which most people at the airport didn't know the location of. What a pain!

Maybe best if you do this when you go get the 4457 (or whatever the customs reg. form is). Finding one at the airport is unpredictable, except getting nailed probably.

Last year, leaving Atlanta for a Namibia safari, there were 2 customs agents at the gate.



They called me aside to let me know about the form requirement, although they never really asked how much mpney I had with me.



When I heard the $10k limit, I said that sure wouldn't apply to me.



(If I had $10k in cash, I wouldn't be sitting in the sardine section)



I told them to look out for a guy with his shirt sleeves cut off, named Bill who was headed out on an elephant hunt.



Rick.



P.S.

Unfortunately?, I did happen to connect with that leopard, forcing me to call my wife to wire more money.

Jim,
How was your trip?? When did you get back to Georgia?

I have many clients that put up a large sum of money with me to hold for trophy fees etc. then upon return I send them whats left or a bill...That way they don't have to carry large sums of cash in a foriegn country and Travelors checks are not accepted in Tanzania as the country is full of bad counterfiet travelors checks floating around it appears...

Ray:

That procedure you have is an excellent one and saves having to carry either numerous travelers checks or an exorbitant sum of money far beyond travel expenses. In my case I booked with an outfitter based in Zimbabwe (and with no US office although he did have an agent who never mentioned that - and I assure you I was calling around about it. I ended up travelling with so much money that I waited almost hourly to hear " Stick 'em up!"

Ray,

I think it depends on the company as to what type of payment they will accept in Tanzania. We paid the balance of our safari at hunts end with traveler's checks. On the other hand we were advised that credit cards were not accepted in Tanzania. In reality hotels and higher end curios shops welcomed Visa.

Regards,

Mark