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Returning to the U.S. Customs question

cachemancacheman Posts: 3,118 ✭✭✭
in World & Ancient Coins Forum
Hi all, I am returning to Oregon tomorrow from Sweden. I fly from Copenhagen to Frankfurt to Portland. This is my first time returning as a collector with coins and medals and I was wondering if anyone had advice for me regarding customs. It has been my understanding that if you had $10K or less in value you don't have to declare anything...is this true? I am actually returning with about $15K worth of stuff but I don't have receipts stating the coins and medals are that much in value. I am bringing about 40 Canadian coins to slab for my friend at ICCS and then I have my Goetz medals and patterns.

Do I have anything to worry about? Should I just act innocent and declare nothing? Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Scott
karlgoetz.com
karlgoetzmedals.com
secessionistmedals.com

Comments

  • wybritwybrit Posts: 6,967 ✭✭✭
    "Know before you go" US Customs publication
    Former owner, Cambridge Gate collection.
  • sumnomsumnom Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭
    I think you have to declare goods you received overseas amounting to anything over $400.00, yes?
  • 1jester1jester Posts: 8,637 ✭✭✭
    Nice link, Wybrit.

    It appears that if you left the US with something, it's best to have registered it with Customs before leaving the US, so it won't be dutiable upon return.

    Legal tender currency only need be declared if it's over $10K. This isn't the same thing as the "value" of something. For example, if you were smuggling Morgan dollars, that would be still considered currency, and wouldn't have to be declared unless you had over 10 thousand of them.

    Of course, it helps to appear innocent. But will Cacheman qualify??imageimage And it's mighty hard to disguise metal dinner plates and saucers as pocket change.

    imageimageimage
    .....GOD
    image

    "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -Luke 11:9

    "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." -Deut. 6:4-5

    "For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." -Isaiah 33:22
  • MacCrimmonMacCrimmon Posts: 7,058 ✭✭✭


    << <i>Legal tender currency only need be declared if it's over $10K. This isn't the same thing as the "value" of something. For example, if you were smuggling Morgan dollars, that would be still considered currency, and wouldn't have to be declared unless you had over 10 thousand of them. >>



    Exactly true, young jester...of course, the airlines might charge a bit extra for the weight on the 'out-go' image

  • Steve27Steve27 Posts: 13,274 ✭✭✭
    You're suppose to declare everything. You just don't get charged until the value is over a certain amount (which I thought was $100). Good luck! (Just claim they're cheap dessert plates.)
    "It's far easier to fight for principles, than to live up to them." Adlai Stevenson
  • asnookerasnooker Posts: 246
    I can't wait to see how this turns out........image
    I'll be watching the board to see if you make it back.....image
    If you give up your rights, in order to maintain your freedom. You will most likely end up losing both!
  • laurentyvanlaurentyvan Posts: 4,243 ✭✭✭
    With an icon like Scott's, I assumed getting things into the country clandestinely would not be a problem.image
    One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics
    is that you end up being governed by inferiors. – Plato
  • cachemancacheman Posts: 3,118 ✭✭✭
    Hi All...I made it back and didn't have a problem with Customs...being the first there with the rest of the passengers bearing down on the guy he only had a chance to pull the medals out and ask me about receipts before he thought better of it...I told him I won them in auction and you don't get receipts...he saw the others coming and let me through. Safe this time but I need a plan for the next trip. Sure nice to be home!!! S
    karlgoetz.com
    karlgoetzmedals.com
    secessionistmedals.com
  • oldshepoldshep Posts: 3,240 ✭
    Welcome back Scott - no sleep until all the photos are takenimage
    Shep
    image
  • trozautrozau Posts: 3,455 ✭✭✭
    good to be home, eh? image
    trozau (troy ounce gold)
  • sumnomsumnom Posts: 5,963 ✭✭✭
    Well done.
  • LloydLloyd Posts: 887 ✭


    << <i> Safe this time but I need a plan for the next trip. >>



    Put the medals in a condom and swallow them....

    L
    Ebay Auctions
  • TegTeg Posts: 135
    Good thinking Lloyd - and another persuasive argument in favour of farthing collecting.
  • theboz11theboz11 Posts: 6,576 ✭✭✭
    image Lloyd,,,,,, Welcome back, can't wait for the picturesimage
    My Medals collection

    FOR SALE Items
  • cosmicdebriscosmicdebris Posts: 12,332 ✭✭✭
    image LLoyd

    Welcome home S
    Bill

    image

    09/07/2006
  • wybritwybrit Posts: 6,967 ✭✭✭
    Welcome back cache.

    Teg is right - better collect farthings (and threepences)!
    Former owner, Cambridge Gate collection.
  • Steve27Steve27 Posts: 13,274 ✭✭✭
    Whew, that sounds like a close one!

    Let's see some pics.
    "It's far easier to fight for principles, than to live up to them." Adlai Stevenson
  • AskariAskari Posts: 3,713 ✭


    << <i>Hi All...I made it back and didn't have a problem with Customs...being the first there with the rest of the passengers bearing down on the guy he only had a chance to pull the medals out and ask me about receipts before he thought better of it...I told him I won them in auction and you don't get receipts...he saw the others coming and let me through. Safe this time but I need a plan for the next trip. Sure nice to be home!!! S >>

    image



    << <i><< Safe this time but I need a plan for the next trip. >>


    Put the medals in a condom and swallow them....

    L >>

    image
    Askari



    Come on over ... to The Dark Side! image
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