Declaring Cash At Customs In Brazil--Is It Ok?

[polostar88]

Or in Argentina for that matter. Are there any dangers or problems you could foresee or that you've heard of? I know Brazil has a limit of R10K, which is not that much. Anything above that you have to declare. But I'm wondering if it's safe to do so. Ever hear of them giving people problems? Or (gasp) being targeted after you enter the country by "robbers"?

And yes I have a similar question for Argentina. The question isn't whether to declare it or not--I wouldn't feel safe not declaring cash, as then they can just seize it--but if it's safe to bring ca$h into the country and declare it or if it becomes a bureaucratic/other nightmare.

 

[Ceviche]

9999 usd is acceptable in Arg / more than that - better declare.

 

[polostar88]

Yes of course the question is---how SAFE is it to declare? Is it just straightforward and no problems or do they make a big deal out of it? What problems could they introduce with declaration?

 

[ben]

There is a general consensus that letting anybody know that you have that much money - in cash, on your person - is not a safe thing, absent armed guards or the like.

Not sure what bureaucratic hassles you'd deal with, but in my mind those take a back seat to the foregoing.

 

[Ceviche]

In my personal opinion to carry only 9999 usd and not declare and be in legal limits and be safe.

 

[ben]

Here's an example - an old one, but outdated by any means? - regarding what you're up against.

 

[polostar88]

Thanks Ben but like many Argentines I'd rather take my chances with robbers than with govt officials who rob you anyway. And I should add that there are very practical reasons for not wanting to use an ATM in Brazil (or Argentina) such as your card getting cloned and money stolen, that's happened to me.

Regardless I'd like to know, if anyone does know, of dangers associated with actually declaring money at customs if it's over the limit (the limit in Brazil btw is R10K not $10K)--especially in Brazil, but also in Argentina if anyone has experience. You can DM me. I'm concerned that customs might make life difficult for me, force me through bureaucratic procedures, or simply seize the money even if you declare it (this is something that US customs will do if you're stupid enough to carry any valuables into the US; complete thievery).

Anyway would be grateful to know if someone had pointers about this. Google search doesn't show up many examples of customs in Brazil or Argentina acting up, maybe they do want people bringing money into the country, but I want to know a little more.

 

[cwo4uscgret]

Polostar I take offense to your comment regarding complete thievery of your money/valuables by US Customs. Although some customs officer steal from luggage they generally get caught, ar fired, and charged with theft.

If you are alluding to asset forfeiture I have posted this before; you can cross into or out of the USA with large sums of cash or other negotiable financial documents (bearer bonds, checks made out to cash, endorsed checks payable to you, signed blank checks) in excess of $10,000 without penalty. The only thing you must do is declare it at the point of entry or departure. You can (and I've had to process travelers with $250,000 in cash that they declared as they entered the country. My job was to take them and their money to a private, out of view of the public, count their money to confirm the dollar amount, fill out a form that is required by the Treasury Department, escort them back to their car, and send them oh their way. I have also seized negotiable documents in excess of $250,000 because th traveller did not declare the money, was given several opportunities during the interview process to amend their written declaration, but failed to do so. It came out in the wash that they were involved in an international auto theft ring.

I recommend that if you don't want the government to seize your money that wherever you travel that you comply with that countries currency laws.

 

[polostar88]

Polostar I take offense to your comment regarding complete thievery of your money/valuables by US Customs. Although some customs officer steal from luggage they generally get caught, ar fired, and charged with theft.

If you are alluding to asset forfeiture I have posted this before; you can cross into or out of the USA with large sums of cash or other negotiable financial documents (bearer bonds, checks made out to cash, endorsed checks payable to you, signed blank checks) in excess of $10,000 without penalty. The only thing you must do is declare it at the point of entry or departure. You can (and I've had to process travelers with $250,000 in cash that they declared as they entered the country. My job was to take them and their money to a private, out of view of the public, count their money to confirm the dollar amount, fill out a form that is required by the Treasury Department, escort them back to their car, and send them oh their way. I have also seized negotiable documents in excess of $250,000 because th traveller did not declare the money, was given several opportunities during the interview process to amend their written declaration, but failed to do so. It came out in the wash that they were involved in an international auto theft ring.

I recommend that if you don't want the government to seize your money that wherever you travel that you comply with that countries currency laws.

Here we go. You're misrepresenting the massive corruption of US customs. Both US customs and US police regularly seize cash of tourists even if it's under 10K because they know there are no penalties for doing so and the court procedures are too costly for most people. It's gotten so bad that Canadian tourists are afraid to visit with cash any longer--and this is any amount. Now at customs in the US they've started to ask people if they carry 1K (well under the 10K limit) and they seize it even if you can provide documentation of where the money is from (not that it's their business). You're a fed employee though so of course you would hide the massive corruption and abuse going on.

Thanks for your "advice" at the end but you miss the point. The point of my question isn't about whether you declare if you're over the limit when coming to Argentina or Brazil, but about the risks when you do declare. I would never take any cash in the USA even if it's under the 10K because of the massive systematic corruption in US customs and US law enforcement. I'd like to know if I run similar risks in Brazil (or Argentina) or what the procedure might be. No I don't want to go into a back room with a local spook who will "count" my money and grill me. In the case of a country like Brazil I'd also be worried about robbery, i.e., the official instructing an associate outside the airport to target me. In the US they don't need to do this as the government just allows them to seize it "legally."

So please, no more lecturing, I'd actually like practical advice from someone who knows about traveling in Brazil (and into Argentina), I'm sure there are many who've had experiences with this. You can dm me if that's easier, I don't ask for any particulars, just for general advice. Please no moral lecturing.

 

[UK Man]

If you insist....and it seems a bad idea to me, on taking a large amount of cash across the Brasil/Argentine border as long as it's within the allowed allowances of each country I'd keep quiet about it. I've not been asked.