www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Had a first this time down to CR on USAir from Charlotte. Prior to boarding, 2 agents from US Customs and Border Patrol was there at the end of the jetway checking everyone's passport and asking 2 questions;
1. " are you carrying more than $10,000 in currency or convertible securities?"
2. " how much money are you carrying with you?"
I have never had this happen prior to leaving the country and was wondering if it's happened to anyone else. Is this an Obama crackdown and intimidation technique on countries considered a "Tax haven"? If I did answer yes wouldn't I be self incriminating, violating the 5th amendment, or should I have refused to answer and face IRS audits.

It's no big deal. I had the same thing happen to me a few weeks ago.

"Do you have $10,000 or more on you" ?? No sir.
"How much money are you carrying on your person" ? I opened my wallet and had about $400. and showed it to him.

IMO, just answer their questions and you'll be on your way. If you want to invoke your 5th amendment rights, have at it. But be prepared, because you might not make your flight. These guys are just doing their job. My dos colones...

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

This is getting ridiculous. Almost every time something unusual occurs the poster blames the President or his administration. He is the President, like him or hate him, until 12 noon January 20, 2013. Live with it and keep your political opinions off this board.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Nothing out of the ordinary. I've been asked the same question many times.

I've gone through that gauntlet, yes, once during my 5/09 trip to CR. I read online that they are trying to crack down on people who carry cash and don't declare it so they can do whatever with it abroad - mainly, stash it in bank where the US can't find it and tax it.

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Man I'm living life like a great white shark swimming with minnows! It's all about panocha, great scotch, fine cigars, loud-ass rock music and speed, speed, speed - plus spending as much time as possible in paradise on earth, Costa Rica!

Bravo. Get over it. It happend to me during the previous administration. My gosh.

Very tough to do in Costa Rica. Any foreigner trying to open a bank account in Costa Rica has to present a "letter of reference" from his/her US bank.

That happened to me a couple of times last year in Houston.

Last trip down, I had something weird happen. THe first 10 people or so through the door (I was upgraded to first class) were all pulled aside and put into a line, and we were told to put our carryons on the floor across the hallway from us. the drug dogs sniffed and we were asked a few questions and passports checked (I don't think they said anything about money) then let go.. they didn't seem to stop anyone else. It was weird.

I think they just mix stuff up every now and then.

Now that's just flat weird--people being asked/ searched (if only by dog nose) if they were smuggling drugs out of the country.? Am I getting that right?
Brother ID I think you may be just over the top on this.Yes, Mr. Obama's name was mentioned but the Feds are, shall we say, cash-strapped so the IRS and other Federal LEOs are looking for all the low-hanging fruit they can find. Also what's that phrase about CR? Oh yes--"A sunny place for shady people". No matter the Administration, over-zealousness at the lower bureaucratic levels is gonna happen. I'd guess the same thing is happening to to Panama-bound travelers as well as those headed to the historic Caribbean tax-havens--anybody that's gone to the Caymans looking especially prosperous want to chime in? My zwei pfennigs.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

It happened to me two years or more ago in Charrolette also. I do not mind helping them, but will not give up my rights. When asked how much money I kept saying 25K to be honest when you take into consideration my credit. Finally I said do you mean cash. Yes ok. 2500. Then what do you intend to do in CR. party was my answer. Again and again it went and party was the answer. Finally I said I am not going to break any laws in CR. He calmed down and said if I won over 10K I would need to declare on return. I smilled and said I had been to the track before. Nice young clean cut guy. But I have a right to come and go. If I am braking the law then they got me. If they want my help as a citizen they can ask. And I will try to the best of my ability. I earned my freedom and I ain't given it up with out a fair fight. And I say fair.

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Take a walk on the wild side.

If you travel allot you would notice that the U.S.A is the only country that you do no go true a custom and immigration check and fill out any forms before you leave the country. ICE do these random checks some times, just to let the flying public know that they are watching.. Just answer there question. I have travel with large sums of money over 10K and fill the form out; and have had no problem. They know that there a business people who carry large sums of money to do business. Your problem will come when you lie to them or not answering their questions . say you are caring $1500.00 which is legal and they ask you and you say I am carrying $500.00 and they search you. you have just forfeited $1000.00 and possible jail time and a $250,000.00 fine. for lying to a government official. I would just answer their question and do it honestly; they are just doing their job..

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"THE TRUTH IS' EVERYBODY IS GOING TO HURT YOU. YOU JUST GOTTA FIND THE ONE WORTH SUFFERING FOR"
Robert Nesta Marley

Guess I have been lucky as I have never had this leaving. Routinely get questioned on return after I traveled to Canada last year with a girl who had a turkish stamp in her passport. Not sure why where she traveled a few years prior has anything to do with me.

Just after 9/11 I traveled from FL to NYC with a a large sum of money (over 10,000) was looking at a deal on a used camera lens. It wasn't in the condition advertised so I passed and when flying home TSA wanted to to do a secondary search on me at JFK and I advised the agent I would like it done in a privacy area as I am carrying a large sum of money, they had no problem. There eyes got big when they saw the roll. They of course asked why I was carrying so much but had not problem with what I told them.

Bill

I do not believe there is any restriction on the amount of cash/negotiable securities you may carry domestically. The $10,000 limit applies to international flights.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Sorry Jazz I disagree. There was no need to mention the President by name. It added nothing to detailing his experience.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine