Taking Cash With You To Foreign Country

[+ Lucky]

With ATMs the big thing now, I know that travelers checks are mostly a thing of the past, but it there a reason why you shouldn't take US cash? Just in case the ATM card fails or is stolen or locked...

[MikeBiDude]

2 hours ago, Lucky said:

With ATMs the big thing now, I know that travelers checks are mostly a thing of the past, but it there a reason why you shouldn't take US cash? Just in case the ATM card fails or is stolen or locked...

I always have some US dollars as well as some local currency if that's practical. 

[CuriousByNature]

Just make sure that your bank card PIN is the correct number of digits.  Many countries apparently require a 4-digit PIN.  I always carry cash in the currency of the country I am visiting, as well as my credit cards.  In case my wallet is stolen or lost, I keep a photocopy of my various cards (front and back) in a hidden part of my luggage.  And I normally divide my cash between my wallet, a jacket pocket, and the hotel room safe, preferably replenishing the cash on me from the safe each day.  If I run out while I am sightseeing I just start using my credit cards.

Edited August 8, 2023 by CuriousByNature

[BuffaloKyle]

I would suggest buying a prepaid credit card as well. You can withdraw cash as well with it from ATMs.

[+ nycman]

I always carry US cash, my ATM card, and one credit card of each variety (i.e. Visa, MC, Amex). 

I use my ATM card to get local currency as needed. Just be carful. If you’re carrying a great deal of US currency, you take out a sizable amount of local currency, and your final "big splurge" escort on the trip is a "no show", it’s easy to end up with more currency than your allowed to carry back into the US. In that scenario, I would simply report it on entry and just explain your situation. You don’t need to include the "escort" part. Just say you were planning on buying a fancy piece of furniture with cash and the deal fell through. It’s not illegal to bring more than $10,000 into the US. It’s illegal not to declare it. And if you think customs doesn’t have access to your ATM records….you’re a moron. Trust me. 

[BuffaloKyle]

12 hours ago, nycman said:

I always carry US cash, my ATM card, and one credit card of each variety (i.e. Visa, MC, Amex). 

I use my ATM card to get local currency as needed. Just be carful. If you’re carrying a great deal of US currency, you take out a sizable amount of local currency, and your final "big splurge" escort on the trip is a "no show", it’s easy to end up with more currency than your allowed to carry back into the US. In that scenario, I would simply report it on entry and just explain your situation. You don’t need to include the "escort" part. Just say you were planning on buying a fancy piece of furniture with cash and the deal fell through. It’s not illegal to bring more than $10,000 into the US. It’s illegal not to declare it. And if you think customs doesn’t have access to your ATM records….you’re a moron. Trust me. 

Can't you just go back to the ATM and deposit the cash back?

[mike carey]

9 minutes ago, BuffaloKyle said:

Can't you just go back to the ATM and deposit the cash back?

For the US currency, probably yes, for any foreign currency it's unlikely. But that doesn't address the issue of having to report to customs that you have a total of  more than $10,000 in currency notes. As @nycman explained, you're allowed to bring it in but having to stop and report it is an annoyance, and anything to avoid having to start a conversation with customs a good idea.

[+ nycman]

1 hour ago, BuffaloKyle said:

Can't you just go back to the ATM and deposit the cash back?

As an American, I doubt you’re allowed to deposit cash into a foreign ATM/Bank. 
Honestly though I’ve never tried. I just assumed you could only make deposits into ATMs owned by your bank.

Does anyone know the answer? There have to be some world-traveling-banker-dorks in this group…..grin.  

[+ Lucky]

The odds that I would return with more than 10k in cash are beyond ludicrous! I am thinking 1k to 1.5k...

[mike carey]

2 minutes ago, Lucky said:

The odds that I would return with more than 10k in cash are beyond ludicrous! I am thinking 1k to 1.5k...

Same for me, and I have an Australian limit of $AU10k to think about as well, but I am still aware that the limits are there and consider, however briefly, how much cash (and formerly travellers cheques, which are also included) I am carrying. Even back in ancient times, when electronic money wasn't a thing I didn't travel with wads of cash, and more than once I cashed an Australian personal cheque at an Amex office abroad. (And converted some of the funds into TCs.)

[+ azdr0710]

On 8/9/2023 at 4:58 AM, nycman said:

I use my ATM card to get local currency as needed. Just be carful. If you’re carrying a great deal of US currency, you take out a sizable amount of local currency, and your final "big splurge" escort on the trip is a "no show", it’s easy to end up with more currency than your allowed to carry back into the US. In that scenario, I would simply report it on entry and just explain your situation. You don’t need to include the "escort" part. Just say you were planning on buying a fancy piece of furniture with cash and the deal fell through. It’s not illegal to bring more than $10,000 into the US. It’s illegal not to declare it. And if you think customs doesn’t have access to your ATM records….you’re a moron. Trust me. 

$10K on that big splurge escort........color me impressed!........😈