Leaving Aus With >$10k

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NoName

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I know there is the requirement to declare if you are carrying more than $10k when leaving Australia but what is the actual process when doing this? Is it simply a matter of telling immigration how much you have and the reason and then you are on your way? Or is it likely to involve more than that?

We will be carrying approx $20k to return to a relative. Money was legitimately withdrawn from our bank account a few days ago so can easily be proven to be ours. I'm assuming splitting the $20k between two people won't be a good idea and would be easily picked up so that's not really an option.
 
Will they want to see "evidence" of the "debt contract" (for want of a better description)?
 
Can't imagine why you couldn't split the money between 2 if you both owe the other person. The limit declared is per person. Out going card is an individual declaration that asks about the cash being carried. Spliting the jointly owed cash to reduce risk seems pretty reasonable. (But just to me)

But read more here: Reporting physical currency FAQs | Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC)



Splitting it is structuring and would be quite obvious in the event that the cash was discovered. No point potentially causing issues when the carrying of the money itself is not a problem.


Thanks for the reply all. Just going to go with seeing what happens. Reading that it is a simple form so shouldn't delay more than a couple of minutes.
 
Don't take cash. Just transfer it. Bell FX or Oz Forex are both reasonable.
 
Don't forget to declare it on the way in to wherever you're going as well, if required.
 
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Each to their own of course but I wouldn't be spruiking 20 large over the net whatever the circumstances.
 
Yes I rarely have cash in my pocket .....just credit/debit cards. No need to get robbed.
 
Splitting it is structuring and would be quite obvious in the event that the cash was discovered. No point potentially causing issues when the carrying of the money itself is not a problem.


Thanks for the reply all. Just going to go with seeing what happens. Reading that it is a simple form so shouldn't delay more than a couple of minutes.

I don't 100% agree that it is structuring, but that is a possible view.

If 2 people jointly have a debt to pay, then it is not structuring if they each take $10k of their own money out of the country. If my partner and me both take $10k from our joint savings and leave the country then we both, as individuals, legitimately have $10k that belongs to each of us separately. The example in the link I provided talked about giving $10k to a child. If the child has no means to legitimately get that money, it comes from my bank account, then that would be structuring.

Anyway, I think it depends on your circumstance, I don't believe splitting the money can the ruled out automatically.
 
I know there is the requirement to declare if you are carrying more than $10k when leaving Australia but what is the actual process when doing this?
You declare it on the customs departure declaration, by writing $20000 in the little box. (I am not being a smartalec, just saying it is as simple as that)

Is it simply a matter of telling immigration how much you have and the reason and then you are on your way? Or is it likely to involve more than that?
Yes it is as simple as that, and if they ask you any questions you are legally required to answer them.

We will be carrying approx $20k to return to a relative. Money was legitimately withdrawn from our bank account a few days ago so can easily be proven to be ours.

Nothing wrong with that, it is perfectly legal to carry an unlimited amount of cash with you when you travel overseas. Just in case have the internet banking on your phone ready to show the withdrawal.

I'm assuming splitting the $20k between two people won't be a good idea and would be easily picked up so that's not really an option.
Unless the declaration form implies that you are declaring as the 'group' as you do when arriving (i dont know) then splitting would be a perfectly permissable. Each person answers honestly. (but do you declare $10000 or over $10000) If you happen to be searched, and they find your money, you are legally required to answer any questions they have. There is however no reason for you to hide the fact that you are carrying $20k. In fact somewhere, in a little computer database, there is a record that you withdrew $20k of cash, and no record of where you spent it. The declaration at the airport reconciles that, nobody is going to care. If there wasnt a withdrawal, then maybe they would care a lot - sometime later.

The reason for these declarations and reporting is to catch the crooks laundering money. If you had kept this cash in a hole in the ground for 20 years, then yes it would be advisable to avoid declarations and questions, but as thats not the case you have nothing to worry about at all.

Dont take anyones word for any of this, including mine. You can find out all this information yourself on Customs or Austrac website, or you could give them a call.
 
I am curious to know how this is handled these days … as last few times I have departed Sydney I have used smart gate and the paper form was just put in a box with no one checking …

I would be more concerned with the arrival country as most I have travelled to have a similar question

20K in cash in 2017 is regarded as very suspicious, considering modern safe cheap money transfer processes
 
In Perth no-one even checks the departure declarations now - they're just dropped in a perspex box.

If you insist on taking cash just tick the required box on the form IMO.
 
Keep it close on the flight, do not leave it on in your overhead.
 
I am curious to know how this is handled these days … as last few times I have departed Sydney I have used smart gate and the paper form was just put in a box with no one checking …
The purpose of the declaration is not there to stop you from moving the money overseas or bringing it back. Its to report it so the cash money trail is tracked in the Austrac database. This data builds up over time and then exceptions are reported for AFP to follow up. So there is nothing unusual about dropping the declaration in the box, some data operator will key it later.

You are right though arriving into a country with large amounts of cash can be suspicious, but it depends on your story and the purpose. The amount on its own is not suspicious. Lots of examples on those on the customs TV shows where explanations dont appear to stack up.
 
There are no capital controls, but why would your relative want physical cash?

No idea but it is what it is.

You don't have to tell us of course, but I hope there is a better answer if asked by authorities here or at destination. I don't know how blocks of cash show up on X ray machines, but consider questions and explanations if asked by security. Again, you will be legit, but vague replies will invite delays.

Have you thought of transferring it to yourself overseas, then picking up cash there and paying rellie?
 
You don't have to tell us of course, but I hope there is a better answer if asked by authorities here or at destination. I don't know how blocks of cash show up on X ray machines, but consider questions and explanations if asked by security. Again, you will be legit, but vague replies will invite delays.

Have you thought of transferring it to yourself overseas, then picking up cash there and paying rellie?



I know what you mean but that is essentially the reason. Owed money and for whatever reason wants it in cash. I believe the intention is not to exchange it immediately for whatever reason.


Anyway will see how it goes in in a few hours and report back.
 
20K in cash in 2017 is regarded as very suspicious, considering modern safe cheap money transfer processes
Define cheap? With Western Union and Moneygram it works out around 4-5% plus fee. CBA was ~$33 + poor exchange + ~$20 fee at other end.

I don't need to send money that often but if there was a cheap way I'd consider it.
 
My +1 and I have carried 9.5K each without any issue.
 
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