Can I take more than 20,000 US from Thailand in cash

[nickmondo]

the rules say that you are allowed to take foreign currency out of Thailand up to the equivalent of 20,000 US dollars.

For more than that, you have to declare it at customs checkpoint when leaving Thailand.

Does anyone know what happens regarding this?

What do they do at customs if you declare it?

Example, taking the equivalent of 30,000 US dollars (in my case, this would be in euros).

I will be able to show my BKK bank savings book showing the withdrawal.

I know i could send by Swift, but I want to take the cash.

If anyone has had any experience of this, or has factual information, I would love to hear from you.

thanks

[Preacher]

No personal experience, but you will need to fill out a form at customs. Mainly they will question you about the origins of the money and why you take it with you cash. You will indeed need your bankbook to show the withdrawal.

A major concern is if the money was acquired legally, so if you were working here bring proof of that as well or if it originated from abroad bring proof of that as well. They will be interested in the origin of the money.

 

Of course when arriving at your destination you will need to declare it as well and you could be questioned again for the same reasons and need to show proof again.

 

Money that you can't explain runs the risk of being seized till you can proof the origin.

[nickmondo]

3 hours ago, Preacher said:

No personal experience, but you will need to fill out a form at customs. Mainly they will question you about the origins of the money and why you take it with you cash. You will indeed need your bankbook to show the withdrawal.

A major concern is if the money was acquired legally, so if you were working here bring proof of that as well or if it originated from abroad bring proof of that as well. They will be interested in the origin of the money.

 

Of course when arriving at your destination you will need to declare it as well and you could be questioned again for the same reasons and need to show proof again.

 

Money that you can't explain runs the risk of being seized till you can proof the origin.

i can prove all of the above, just seems to be a real pain.

i have looked at sending money back via online banking with BKK Bank to Caixa bank, but im really struggling to find out about the fees paid in Thailand and also in Spain.

 

 

[Aussieroaming]

Restricted Items

The following items require a permit from the stated government agency in order to pass Customs formalities:

• Office of National Police - Firearms; Ammunition; Explosives objects
• Fine Arts Department - Buddha images; Artifacts and antiques
• Post & Telegraph Department - Radio transceivers and telecommunications equipment
• Department of Agriculture - Plants and planting materials
• Department of Live Stock Development - Live animals and animal products
• Office of Food and Drugs Administration - Medicines and chemical products
• There is no limit on the amount of Thai currency which can be brought into Thailand, but only Bt 50,000 may be taken out without obtaining a permit.
• When carrying Thai currency to neighboring countries, e.g., Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, up to 500,000 baht, may be taken out without obtaining a permit.
• Carrying out an amount of Thai currency which exceeds the above stated limit requires a permit from an authorized bank. The original permit (Thor-Tor. 5) must be shown to the Customs officer while passing through the outbound passenger channel.
• There is no restriction on both bringing in and carrying out foreign currency.

[Aussieroaming]

Just now, Aussieroaming said:

Restricted Items

The following items require a permit from the stated government agency in order to pass Customs formalities:

• Office of National Police - Firearms; Ammunition; Explosives objects
• Fine Arts Department - Buddha images; Artifacts and antiques
• Post & Telegraph Department - Radio transceivers and telecommunications equipment
• Department of Agriculture - Plants and planting materials
• Department of Live Stock Development - Live animals and animal products
• Office of Food and Drugs Administration - Medicines and chemical products
• There is no limit on the amount of Thai currency which can be brought into Thailand, but only Bt 50,000 may be taken out without obtaining a permit.
• When carrying Thai currency to neighboring countries, e.g., Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, up to 500,000 baht, may be taken out without obtaining a permit.
• Carrying out an amount of Thai currency which exceeds the above stated limit requires a permit from an authorized bank. The original permit (Thor-Tor. 5) must be shown to the Customs officer while passing through the outbound passenger channel.
• There is no restriction on both bringing in and carrying out foreign currency.

To clarify, the above is not my opinion, these are quoted regulations on restricted items for Thailand, so the veracity of the information should be cross-checked

[Preacher]

19 minutes ago, nickmondo said:

i can prove all of the above, just seems to be a real pain.

i have looked at sending money back via online banking with BKK Bank to Caixa bank, but im really struggling to find out about the fees paid in Thailand and also in Spain.

 

 

Yes, it is a hassle. But most countries have rules regarding taking out money en now also about reporting large transfers and they are especially suspicious regarding cash.

Illegal gains, such as drug trafficking, and financing of terrorist activities are now major concerns, which will cause scrutiny in both Thailand and Spain.

 

No problem finding bangkok bank rates: http://www.bangkokbank.com/BangkokBank/PersonalBanking/DailyBanking/CurrencyExchange/Pages/Fees.aspx#2

 

You can choose between sender pays tyhe fees or the recipient pays the fees. If the recipient pays the fees Bangkokbank charges 400 baht and the bank in Spain will take their part.

 

Your bank in Spain should have their fees on their website.

[attrayant]

I'd like to know where this form is. A few years ago I left with about $40,000 usd. I had heard the bit about declaring excessive amounts of cash and so I was alert for anyone asking me if I had anything to declare. Then before I knew it I was being scanned at security while the shoulder bag with the cash was on its way through the x-ray machine.

 

A moment later I was on the other side, putting my belt and shoes back on, and nervously grabbed my bag as it came out of the x-ray scanner. That was it.

 

Was I supposed to grab a random screening agent and say "hey, I just wanted to let you know I've got forty grand in cash on me"?

 

[Preacher]

At Suv-airport there should be an office at the departure hall, I presume in the check-in area. You are supposed to fill in a form there and answer some questions. Processing should take about 15 minutes according to the customs website.

Normally you indeed do not go past a customs inspector, although can can perform checks.

[jaf3]

It is very simple to make the declaration at BKK (I have no experience with DMK but imagine it is the same): go to the area on the far end of the departures hall (opposite end from THAI 1st class check-in) where they are making VAT refunds. Tell an officer you need to declare cash over $20,000USD in value. You go into a side office, fill out a form, and sometimes they ask to see the money (happened once out of over 10 times to me). It takes 5-10 minutes. Easy. 

[yimlitnoy]

It is not a good idea to carry cash while transiting countries going home.  What the law says and what the custom officials do are often two different things, corruption is rife at borders... A SWIFT is the way to go.

[RBOP]

I was at BKK Bank a few days ago. had to pay a bill overseas. Was only $800. Cant believe the little gal asked me how I got my money! Usually they don't bat an eye up to $10K. At least that was last year.

[HerbalEd]

2 hours ago, attrayant said:

I'd like to know where this form is. A few years ago I left with about $40,000 usd. I had heard the bit about declaring excessive amounts of cash and so I was alert for anyone asking me if I had anything to declare. Then before I knew it I was being scanned at security while the shoulder bag with the cash was on its way through the x-ray machine.

 

A moment later I was on the other side, putting my belt and shoes back on, and nervously grabbed my bag as it came out of the x-ray scanner. That was it.

 

Was I supposed to grab a random screening agent and say "hey, I just wanted to let you know I've got forty grand in cash on me"?

 

Looks like you just gave a written confession of a crime in Thailand. 

[firefox999uk]

If you are traveling with someone split the money between the 2 of you or whatever.

of course  you will have to trust them...this is what i did

 

 

Have a Nice Day

[attrayant]

1 hour ago, HerbalEd said:

Looks like you just gave a written confession of a crime in Thailand. 

 

Catch me if you can.

[sawadeeken]

6 hours ago, attrayant said:

I'd like to know where this form is. A few years ago I left with about $40,000 usd. I had heard the bit about declaring excessive amounts of cash and so I was alert for anyone asking me if I had anything to declare. Then before I knew it I was being scanned at security while the shoulder bag with the cash was on its way through the x-ray machine.

 

A moment later I was on the other side, putting my belt and shoes back on, and nervously grabbed my bag as it came out of the x-ray scanner. That was it.

 

Was I supposed to grab a random screening agent and say "hey, I just wanted to let you know I've got forty grand in cash on me"?

 

You are just one 'Lucky' man....................... The whole amount of any excessive money can be seized and confiscated when not declared..........

You were Lucky......... that time................

[AsiaCheese]

2 hours ago, attrayant said:

 

Catch me if you can.

 

Nahhh, it's called "cash me if you can" 

[tryasimight]

7 hours ago, Aussieroaming said:

To clarify, the above is not my opinion, these are quoted regulations on restricted items for Thailand, so the veracity of the information should be cross-checked

 

7 hours ago, Aussieroaming said:

Restricted Items

The following items require a permit from the stated government agency in order to pass Customs formalities:

• Office of National Police - Firearms; Ammunition; Explosives objects
• Fine Arts Department - Buddha images; Artifacts and antiques
• Post & Telegraph Department - Radio transceivers and telecommunications equipment
• Department of Agriculture - Plants and planting materials
• Department of Live Stock Development - Live animals and animal products
• Office of Food and Drugs Administration - Medicines and chemical products
• There is no limit on the amount of Thai currency which can be brought into Thailand, but only Bt 50,000 may be taken out without obtaining a permit.
• When carrying Thai currency to neighboring countries, e.g., Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, up to 500,000 baht, may be taken out without obtaining a permit.
• Carrying out an amount of Thai currency which exceeds the above stated limit requires a permit from an authorized bank. The original permit (Thor-Tor. 5) must be shown to the Customs officer while passing through the outbound passenger channel.
• There is no restriction on both bringing in and carrying out foreign currency.

Doesn't the last line of the quoted regulation apply also? No restrictions on foreign currency.?

The OP said he was taking Euros, not Baht.

[Gulfsailor]

No restrictions on foreign currency, but one still has to declare it to customs. 

[mstevens]

11 hours ago, Aussieroaming said:

Restricted Items

 

• There is no limit on the amount of Thai currency which can be brought into Thailand, but only Bt 50,000 may be taken out without obtaining a permit.

It should be noted this refers to Thai currency i.e. Thai baht.

[blackcab]

21 hours ago, Aussieroaming said:

There is no limit on the amount of Thai currency which can be brought into Thailand, but only Bt 50,000 may be taken out without obtaining a permit.

 

This is for Thai baht. There is no limit for foreign currency.

 

Just go to the VAT refund desk and complete the form. No hassle at all.

 

Take a photo for additional proof when you pay into your home bank account.

[Aussieroaming]

9 hours ago, mstevens said:

It should be noted this refers to Thai currency i.e. Thai baht.

I guess thats why they wrote Bt 50 000

[NRGF]

I thought when traveling internationally with cash in excess of $10,000 USA that it must declared.

[doggie1955]

Think Gold...buy here, sell there. It worked for me. But I did have one friend in Cambodia buy $56,000 in Bitcoin before he went back to the U.S. and three day later it went up $126.00...lucky SOB.

[OJAS]

On 10/9/2017 at 10:17 AM, Preacher said:

Of course when arriving at your destination you will need to declare it as well and you could be questioned again for the same reasons and need to show proof again.

Indeed he will since the amount involved is way in excess of 10,000 EUR:-

 

https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/individuals/cash-controls_en

 

[Seanbhoy]

Just separate your cash up, some in your hand luggage, some in ur wallet, some in ur main luggage, job done.

dont declare shit.

i always take more and have never been asked, just don’t think about it.

last time I took through a <deleted> unlabeled open tub of white powder, creatine,, it never got swabbed or anything, I even asked about it on arrival in Bangkok as had it in hand luggage and they just said what is it.

thryre not arsed unless u got 100000k to buy 30 girls for the sex trade and feeding them full of amphetamines with guns to their head. 

Declare it at your own will

[attrayant]

On 10/9/2017 at 10:17 AM, Preacher said:

Money that you can't explain runs the risk of being seized till you can proof the origin.

 

One of the things criminals like about cash is that it's untraceable.  Can you tell me how you can prove where that $20 bill in your pocket came from?