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...

bump for you

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?

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.

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).

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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 :)

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