Going to SA in a couple weeks. What is the limit on the amount of cash you can take over. I recall that its 10k before declaring it on the forms? Any advice?

If you are taking more than 10,000 in cash or traveler's checks then you will need to declare it.

30K to 40K in cash will probably get seized right away. And you will need a lawyer to get it all back. 100K to 200K and they will probably also do a cavity search on your body and probe your IRS records going back couple of years.

People sneak cash in access of 10,000 out of USA all the time....not a good idea. Just declare it and travel worry free.

Here is the link
http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler...rrency_reporting.pdf

If the Safari costs are very very high (say you going on a Rhino hunt) you can work with Safari Escrow companies...wire the money to them, then they will release it to the outfitter upon completion of hunt.

There is also a limit in some African countries about how much money can be taken out of the country. Some here should remember which countries and how much?

Can this be done at the airport or do you need prior approval? Im flying Pittsburgh to Dulles to Joberg.

It can and should be done at the airport prior to departure.

This is the form.

FinCEN Form 105

There is a US Customs Office in Pittsburgh...give them a call, I am sure you can take care of the paperwork ahead of time.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/too...ts/ports/pa/1104.xml

True Story:
Couple of years ago (pre 9/11) I was on a flight from JFK on to Europe. We boarded the plane, the doors were closed. Then the doors opened 4 or 5 agents barrelled in and took this guy away very very quickly (seemed like only couple of seconds). Then we sat in the plane for about 45 minutes until they took his luggage out and then the plane took off. The guy was traveling with 175K in cash, screeners saw it in his carry on luggage, alerted the authorities and they let him board the plane and later picked him up. Now this was pre 9/11....so you can imagine how strict they are now. So as the customs people say "know before you go"...do it by the book and everything should be perfectly ok.

quote:

Originally posted by collector:
There is a US Customs Office in Pittsburgh...give them a call, I am sure you can take care of the paperwork ahead of time.

Again, it must be done at the airport prior to departure.

From the instructions:

"C. Travelers — Travelers carrying currency or other monetary instruments with them shall
file FinCEN Form 105 at the time of entry into the United States or at the time of departure
from the United States with the Customs officer in charge at any Customs port of entry or
departure."

Wiring it ahead saves all of that,or send it through the booking agent to disburse after the hunt is completed.

Les

Rob,

As Les suggested wire your money ahead or have your agent hold it in escrow. There is no need in most cases to carry much more than tip and pocket money when traveling to Africa.

Mark

30-40k they wont seiz it...........

However 125k will make the people at the airport in houston have their eyes bugggg out, its hilarious......

Thanks everyone for the advice. Getting really exited about the trip, 7 days and counting!