Is it truly illegal to carry $10,000? Why?

Answer 1

I believe you are talking about transporting over $10,000 into or out of the country.

If so......


YES! It can be illegal if you bring more then $10,000 in cash or certain merchandise into the U.S. without declaring it to Customs on a form that is provided as you enter the country. The U.S. Customs dept is so strict about this and other declaration procedures that even soldiers returning from war overseas on chartered planes(and even military planes) must fill out this declaration form.

I included a wikipedia article below about this procedure for a more in depth look.

Answer 2

The asker didnt ask anything about traveling or going in or out of a country. They asked if it is illegal to CARRY $10,000. The answer is.....In the USA it is NOT illegal to carry any amount of cash. You can carry it around in your pocket, in a walmart bag, in a briefcase....across state lines etc etc.It's not illegal. However, for reasons I think are extremely f'd up, if you are stopped by the police for whatever reason and the subject of you carrying money comes up, you have to choose whether to tell the truth or lie. If you lie and say nope, no large sum of money here, and they somehow determine you are carrying the large sum, they will immediately go into investigation mode and assume you are up to illegal things. If you admit that you are carrying a large sum, they will ask you to provide proof of the source of the funds. If you can't provide proof, they can and most likely will impound your money and it will be EXTREMELY difficult to get it back. IMO that's akin to highway robbery by law enforcement.

Answer 3

I believe carrying $10,000 is not illegal. Carrying over that amount in unclaimed currency especially near the Mexican border is illegal without supporting documentation. You have to declare amounts over 10k with customs. That is if you're going out of the country. If you're making a purchase you will have to fill out U.S. Form 8300 due to Anti-Money Laundering and Patriot Act policies.

Answer 4

I'm pretty sure it isn't illegal but why would you want to? If you are stopped by the cops for some random reason it will look like you are doing illegal stuff like drug, illegal goods trade, and they will bring you to the big house ( is that what you are doing cause why else would you carry that all on you at once) Plus you'll be a nice target for muggers.

Answer 5

It is highly suspicious for someone to be transporting that much cash. Normal business transactions that large just aren't carried out in cash anymore.

It is only illegal to take that much out of the Country (without the proper paperwork). But be prepared for some delays and questions if you are found in possession of that much cash.

The law regarding carrying the cash out of the Country is: Section 5316 of Title 31, United States Code.

This statute makes it an offense to transport more than $10,000 in currency or monetary instruments into, or out of, the U.S. without filing a form with the U.S. Customs Service.

Answer 6

No it is not illegal. However the bank has more paperwork to fill out. They send this paperwork to the government for monitoring. About the drug issue. Keep the paperwork from the bank with you and you will have no problem. If you can not prove that the money was legal you may have a problem. If there is question ask for a K9 dog to do a money sniff, They will place your money in an unknown location to the dog an handler and try to find it. US Currency in circulation or uncirculated currency will not draw a hit. However, currency that has been in close proximity to dope will.

Answer 7

If you get pulled over by a cop looking for drugs, you will immediately be held in suspision of illegal activities. If you are found with a trace of any illegal drug, the police will confiscate your car and your money and throw you in jail.

Assuming you can raise bail, then you might get your money back, after you prove it did not come from illegal activities (and you will have to prove your innocence).

If you deposit $10,000+ anything, then the bank will report the transaction to the Feds (who will start watching you to see if you are a terrorist, money launderer, or drug dealer).

So, if you are going to carry around $10G's, then you need to make sure your poop doesn't stink and you keep squeaky clean lest you have the county sherrif banging on your door at 3 in the morning and pointing big guns at your face.

Answer 8

It's not illegal to carry any amount of money. You must declare any financial instrument valuing $10,000 and over when leaving/entering the US.

Answer 9

Strictly speaking, no. A lot of things in America however are illegal in practice even though they are not on the books to avoid international embarrassment for a country claiming to be the highest form of democracy and individual freedom. Try going for a walk after midnight in an upper class suburban neighborhood... the police will stop you... if you don't have any ID on you, you will probably end up in jail for absolutely no reason!

Answer 10

It isn't, never heard of this, I know this isn't illegal, due to the fact that you are exempt from having car insurance if you always have 10,000 dollars in your car.