U.S. Customs

cacheman

Has anyone here flown into the U.S. with a large amount of coins and had to deal with customs? I have a friend from Sweden that wants to hand deliver a mess of high quality coins to me as opposed to sending them through the mail and risking their loss. We both now wonder what happens at customs if he has these coins. Will he be charged a duty or anything in that direction? We're probably talking $20-30K in value... What would you do? Thanks, Scott

mrdq

Call them and ask them! I go in and out of Canada many times a month and I am asked fairly frequently if I'm carrying $10,000 or more on me in any negotiable instrument. Maybe they only ask Americans this, i'm not sure but 10k is the magic number. I have bought and sold across the border many different items my whole life and I've found that If you contact them first, write down who you taked to, record any numbers they tell you regarding the category of the item(s) in question and present them when you're actually at the border (Show you've done your homework basically) they're REAL easy to deal with.

They're not out to hassle law abiding citizens but there are rules regarding crossing the borders. I can call them for you if you want, it's a local call for me. Off the top of my head the major concerns are going to be

1. Nationality of the money
2. Metals involved
3. Total current market value
4. Total face value (believe it or not) in U.S. $$

I've never taken huge amounts of coins across but i've imported and exported cars, pool tables, liquor, restaurant supplies and many many other items.

cacheman

Thanks Tom...my friend would be flying into Sea-Tac Int. Airport in Seattle if this occurs. I guess if there aren't any numismatic customs agents it would be easy enough to say the value was below $10K. He's just bringing them over so I can slab them for him before they go up for bid. S

MrEureka

Coins aren't dutiable, but Customs could impound the coins for a few days while they figure it all out. Best to have a customs broker meet him at the airport to handle it, or just ship the coins.

sinin1

They are really concerned about $10,000 cash or more - at one time with gold bullion - and of course other illegal items that are not supposed to be in the US.

This person would rather fly than trust the mail I take it - and visit you of course. - What country is he coming from? It might be easier to fly into Vancouver BC and cross the border at Blaine - just a thought.

hookooekoo

$10,000 or more on me in any negotiable instrument

Collectables do not apply here. The definition of negotiable instrument is ...



<< <i>document that promises to pay the bearer a sum of money >>



... therefore, this issue would only apply if the face-value of the coin(s) were >= 10K.


I'm not saying not to worry or check into this situation, but if you have coins valued at $30K on the collector's market in your pocket, but their face value is $10, then you can honestly answer no to the question

Are you carrying $10,000 or more on me in any negotiable instrument (at least as it applies to the coins).

jbsteven

I carried $20,000 worth of coins on my vacation to New Zealand in a PCGS blue box in my carry on. No problems whatsoever other than they always wanted to see what they were because they are "dense metal" and they kinda have to make sure of what all the little round things are.