Carrying large amount of cash in airport

[ChoiMika]

Hi,

I'm travelling to a non-EU country and purchasing a property there for the sum of £23,000. I have saved this money up and recently sold my beloved Volvo XC90 . I have the money on my account at present but have noticed that for every £200 in their currency that I withdraw - I'm charged £20. Which is a huge amount when it's £23,000.

So I was thinking of carrying around £15,000 to £18,000 in cash. I know this needs to be declared in the airport but does anyone know how this exactly works?

I fill in two forms and take these with me with the cash. Will they check the cash and count it once I declare it in the airport? Also, how long will this hold me back time wise as I finish work at 6PM and have 4 hours to get ready and be at the airport (I live 45 minutes from the airport). Anyone been through the exact process?

Thanks :)

I wouldn't carry that kind of cash around, it's such a risk. Which country are you going to?
.
Why can't you do Bacs transfer so you can have a paper trail of where the money went ?

You’ll be suspected of being up to something dodgy. Use a foreign currency transfer firm. You’ll get good rates and it’ll be protected and secure. Eg www.foremostcurrencygroup.co.uk

If you are buying property, use a bank transfer and make the money traceable. Know the laws there. Use experienced advisers/professionals. Good luck with your new sale.

Put it in your back and withdraw it when you are there

Send it electronically! They'll certainly be suspicious, and what if you're mugged on the way to the airport!

Unless the non-EU country is Iceland or Canada, even then actually, how are you staying safe in the car park, cab, hotel? On the way to the airport?

Use a money transfer co. They do charge a small fee, but it's also generally a good exchange rate. It worked out cheaper than transferring cash at a bureau de change.

You can sign up for an account online, then you choose how much to transfer (you need a bank with electronic banking at either end) and then you have to transfer the money from your UK account to their account within 2 or 3 days, and it then appears at the other end in the currency you want.

We did it when we moved to the US - SO much easier than any other method (neither UK nor US bank would transfer enough for a house to another country & do the exchange part).

When we moved to the USA we emptied our account over here. The cash was split between Me, DH and a little in each bag.

A guy I used to work with smuggled £50,000 out of the US Israel by stuffing it in his pants.

Alternatively go to a jewelry shop and use the money to buy gold, or a Diamond. That’s easier to conceal, then sell it on arrival.

The country you are going to might have a rule on how much foreign currency can be brought in.
Do you have a GBP bank account in that country yet? I used to work in Turkey and had 3 separate account with one bank (it was common) in sterling, euro and Turkish lira. I suggest you do the same if you're going to be a homeowner and pay bills.
I would check what the fee is for a BACS transfer. Expect charges both sides.

I used to carry 000s seen into the waist of my clothes.

Are you sure you need to pay cash? Will you be able to convert that much money in the destination country?
I'd look into transferring electronically directly to the seller, or using a transfer company.

There are sniffer dogs trained at airports

Don't use money wire transfer service unless through the bank. Otherwise you have no legal support if it is a scam. Customs in all countries have a maximum cash limit when travelling within their area. Be careful if travelling through a less reputable/more corrupt country.

It won't be a problem at this end.

If you can show where you got it from (a withdrawal from the bank) and what you are going to do with it, you will be fine. You are not doing anything wrong.

You don't even need to declare under 10,000 euro. They will be used to dealing with people carrying more than that everyday. It isn't enough money to interest authorities who investigate money laundering.

Some countries have rules over the amount of money that can be taken in as cash. Also from a money laundering perspective this could be a red flag at your bank, the airport and whoever you give the cash to.

I would send the money by international electronic transfer from your bank account