Ways around the FinCin 105 form? - GoFuckYourself.com

minusonebit · 07-08-2006, 05:35 PM

What is the preffered method of getting around the FinCin 105 form for all you international travelers? I figure just mail some traveler's cheques to a friend at the destination prior to leaving... its none of the government's business how much money I take with me when I leave the country...

scottybuzz · 07-08-2006, 05:48 PM

bump for you

Webby · 07-08-2006, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minusonebit

What is the preffered method of getting around the FinCin 105 form for all you international travelers? I figure just mail some traveler's cheques to a friend at the destination prior to leaving... its none of the government's business how much money I take with me when I leave the country...

Not familiar minusonebit - is there now some requirement to state the value of traveller's checks? Presume you are referring to the US when mentioning FinCen?

Webby · 07-08-2006, 06:03 PM

Ah.. shit.. just looked it up

So there is now a requirement to even state "paper values" - ie traveller's checks when you try to travel abroad. Shit.. awesome.

Can't really say about mailing to a friend - wonder if they covered that in the law as well?

They already know about your data if you live in the US man - it's prob not a biggie, other than to you - and understandable.

minusonebit · 07-08-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webby

Not familiar minusonebit - is there now some requirement to state the value of traveller's checks? Presume you are referring to the US when mentioning FinCen?

Yes and yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/money.xml

You may bring into or take out of the country, including by mail, as much money as you wish. However, if it is more than $10,000, you will need to report it to CBP. Ask the CBP officer for the Currency Reporting Form (FinCen 105). The penalties for non-compliance can be severe.

?Money? means monetary instruments and includes U.S. or foreign coins currently in circulation, currency, traveler?s checks in any form, money orders, and negotiable instruments or investment securities in bearer form.

Yes, mailing is included in the law but I am not really worried about that as the chances of them catching me are slim to none unless I did something to trigger an incredibly through investigation into my finances. It would really have to be something on the level of blowing a building up (which was not on the list of vacation activities, BTW). If you download the FinCEN 105 form, you see that they even register the serial numbers of the traveler's checks, making them traceable and trackable to me, something I dont want. And its none of thier business anyway, really.

Webby · 07-08-2006, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minusonebit

Yes and yes.

Yes, mailing is included in the law but I am not really worried about that as the chances of them catching me are slim to none unless I did something to trigger an incredibly through investigation into my finances. It would really have to be something on the level of blowing a building up (which was not on the list of vacation activities, BTW). If you download the FinCEN 105 form, you see that they even register the serial numbers of the traveler's checks, making them traceable and trackable to me, something I dont want. And its none of thier business anyway, really.

Shit minusonebit

Suggestion... depends on your foreign friends.. why not just send a wire transfer and simply collect the money from your friends when you get to your destination? Means there is only one transaction and clean cut (assuming it's less than $10K - if more - send two wire transfers).

minusonebit · 07-08-2006, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Webby

Shit minusonebit

Suggestion... depends on your foreign friends.. why not just send a wire transfer and simply collect the money from your friends when you get to your destination? Means there is only one transaction and clean cut (assuming it's less than $10K - if more - send two wire transfers).

If I send a wire, wouldnt it get converted into the local currency and then back to USD when I get it out? The USD converts 1 USD = 3 AGP.

After Shock Media · 07-08-2006, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minusonebit

If I send a wire, wouldnt it get converted into the local currency and then back to USD when I get it out? The USD converts 1 USD = 3 AGP.

You could WU it to yourself, eat the cost and make sure they pay out in USD so you do not get hit again with conversions.

Though my only real question would be why so much cash?
I just bring a high limit card as well as a bank connected visa debit card. No need to declare its value and I can withdraw anywhere if cash is really needed.

minusonebit · 07-08-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by After Shock Media

You could WU it to yourself, eat the cost and make sure they pay out in USD so you do not get hit again with conversions.

Though my only real question would be why so much cash?
I just bring a high limit card as well as a bank connected visa debit card. No need to declare its value and I can withdraw anywhere if cash is really needed.

I never leave on a trip with a credit card as my only source of money. Thats just asking for trouble. Never trust banks. Credit cards are an extension of banks.

What if a clerk fucks up and authorizes the card to the limit? What if security sees activity on the account and freezes it (for my protection only, of course)? What if I dont want a paper trail? What if I dont want to pay intrest on it?

Way too many chances for someone else's incomptence to fuck me over in a big way.

Also, I plan to be over there for the whole month of May, 2007. An extended vacation. Its not like this is a weekend getaway. Needs much more planing than that.

After Shock Media · 07-08-2006, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minusonebit

I never leave on a trip with a credit card as my only source of money. Thats just asking for trouble. Never trust banks. Credit cards are an extension of banks.

What if a clerk fucks up and authorizes the card to the limit? What if security sees activity on the account and freezes it (for my protection only, of course)? What if I dont want a paper trail? What if I dont want to pay intrest on it?

Way too many chances for someone else's incomptence to fuck me over in a big way.

I bring cash as well, just never had any reason to go past 10k for a trip.
Paper trail, well thats a toughy. Even most stupid travelers checks leave a paper trail.
Interest to me never gets paid unless it has to. I am a end of the month zero balance type of person who likes using debit over credit.

I figure though you could always smuggle it in. Doubt they will search you everywhere and cash is ultra thin.

minusonebit · 07-08-2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by After Shock Media

I bring cash as well, just never had any reason to go past 10k for a trip.
Paper trail, well thats a toughy. Even most stupid travelers checks leave a paper trail.
Interest to me never gets paid unless it has to. I am a end of the month zero balance type of person who likes using debit over credit.

I figure though you could always smuggle it in. Doubt they will search you everywhere and cash is ultra thin.

The traveler's check leaves a trail as to where I cashed it. If I pay for a meal of $50 on a $500 check, there is no trail as to where I spent the other $450.

But what if they do search me everwhere? How would I explain how an extra $5K crawled up my ass in a plastic bag? LOL

After Shock Media · 07-08-2006, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minusonebit

But what if they do search me everwhere? How would I explain how an extra $5K crawled up my ass in a plastic bag? LOL

Look at them with a very straight face, and say "my gay lover must of left me with a tip again".

slapass · 07-08-2006, 08:13 PM

Do the ten k and do 2 debit cards. One credit card that you tell them ahead of time you are out of the country and Amex that is always good. Have a friend in the states hold some cash. They WU you if you need it.

This is my standard when I travel. I only do one debit but you seem worried about it.

minusonebit · 07-08-2006, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapass

Do the ten k and do 2 debit cards. One credit card that you tell them ahead of time you are out of the country and Amex that is always good. Have a friend in the states hold some cash. They WU you if you need it.

This is my standard when I travel. I only do one debit but you seem worried about it.

Well, the idea of having a friend hold cash is good. Then its not even a violation, since its not ME sending the money out. Good idea, that seems to be the best plan.

slapass · 07-08-2006, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minusonebit

Well, the idea of having a friend hold cash is good. Then its not even a violation, since its not ME sending the money out. Good idea, that seems to be the best plan.

Not sure where you are going but 10k cash should cover you if you CC rooms and big bar bills.

Webby · 07-08-2006, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minusonebit

If I send a wire, wouldnt it get converted into the local currency and then back to USD when I get it out? The USD converts 1 USD = 3 AGP.

Sure... tho reading lower (or above

) that you are only abroad for say a month - unless something drastic happens to currencies (unlikely) - the difference on amounts like cost of living for a month is prob not going to be much in conversions.

Sounds like a couple of highish-limit cards, a lump of cash stuffed in your back pocket and, if still needed, a fairly moderate wire transfer as backup?

PS... There is nothing wrong with carrying eg $5K in cash (that is not exactly a lot of money - eg. only around 2700 GBP or under 4000 Euros). If anyone asks, it's basically none of their business - it's perfectly legal

Webby · 07-08-2006, 08:29 PM

PS.. BTW.. Dunno your destination minusonebit, but it's very rare you will be given a hard time because you have some cash as long as it is not over the legal limit.

If ya do... two words unusally suffice

There is not the same "respect" for enforcement in most other countries - and they are used to it

07-08-2006, 05:35 PM	#1
minusonebit So Fucking Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: [email protected] Posts: 7,391	Ways around the FinCin 105 form? What is the preffered method of getting around the FinCin 105 form for all you international travelers? I figure just mail some traveler's cheques to a friend at the destination prior to leaving... its none of the government's business how much money I take with me when I leave the country...

07-08-2006, 05:48 PM	#2
scottybuzz Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: May 2006 Location: NY Posts: 14,799	bump for you __________________ $$$$$ MAKE HUGE MONEY IN CAMS - CLICK HERE $$$$$

07-08-2006, 06:03 PM	#4
Webby Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Far far away - as possible Posts: 14,956	Ah.. shit.. just looked it up So there is now a requirement to even state "paper values" - ie traveller's checks when you try to travel abroad. Shit.. awesome. Can't really say about mailing to a friend - wonder if they covered that in the law as well? They already know about your data if you live in the US man - it's prob not a biggie, other than to you - and understandable. __________________ XXX TLD's - Another mosquito to swat.

07-08-2006, 08:29 PM	#17
Webby Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Far far away - as possible Posts: 14,956	PS.. BTW.. Dunno your destination minusonebit, but it's very rare you will be given a hard time because you have some cash as long as it is not over the legal limit. If ya do... two words unusally suffice There is not the same "respect" for enforcement in most other countries - and they are used to it __________________ XXX TLD's - Another mosquito to swat.

07-08-2006, 08:13 PM	#13
slapass Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 14,625	Do the ten k and do 2 debit cards. One credit card that you tell them ahead of time you are out of the country and Amex that is always good. Have a friend in the states hold some cash. They WU you if you need it. This is my standard when I travel. I only do one debit but you seem worried about it.