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Transfer to Ecuador.
Dec
17
2011
I am a Canadian who intends to settle in Ecuador.
My wife & I will be visiting Ecuador this coming April.
We have an amount of gold & silver bullion as well as some coins.
Does anyone know how to either transfer it to Ecuador &/or bring it with us.
Frankly, I am not as concerned about getting it into Ecuador, but feel the Americans could confiscate it if we bring it with us on the flight..we are flying out of Seattle.
Any suggestions would be most welcome.
many thanks.
Mullan.
Answer #2
I agree with Tracy, thats something you should leave securely protected at home in Canada.
good luck, Dom
Answer #3
There are many new laws governing the transportation of bullion into and out of the USA so I would be very careful. Confiscation is legal under the law and you would probably play heck with getting it back under any circumstances,, not to mention the possible fines on top and possibly loosing your passport or at the very lease it could be flagged and you will play the search game everytime you go through the US. You are allowed to carry an amount of currency based on your home country’s laws but I would double check through your consulate as to what any issues might be taking it through the US, just to be safe. One question though….why do you have to fly into the USA to go to Ecuador? There must be other ways and direct flights from Canada to other areas close if they do not fly into Ecuador…that might avoid the USA issue all together unless I am missing something…just a thought. Good luck.
larryp
Answer #4
Mullen and Tracy: Why don’t you ask US Customs your question? Who do you personally know that had their coins confiscated or stolen? I am a very frequent flyer and have never had anything stolen from my suitcases. Also, never heard of or seen a safety patrol. If I were in your frame of mind I would take a flight from Vancouver to Central America and then fly to Ecuador. Avoid the US entirely! Snake antivenom
Answer #5
Snake I was referring to the TSA, and you don’t have to search much to find their growing infractions/harassments , and yes I did see a youtube of a man held and questioned for having silver coins. Another was held for hours because he had 4,000 dollars in cash.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyUzwTtfVPA
Answer #6
Several folks have posted about the problems with the US, however another concern is Ecuador. I looked into this recently and was told that Ecuador would tax the gold and silver based on current spot prices at the rate of 38%.
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Answer #1
Mullan, ha I’d given some thought to the same issue and I think if they didnt confiscate/steal they would hold you long enough to miss all your flights, since we know the USA airport “safety patrol” steals anything of value packed in suitcases.
This may sound a little crazy but I’d thought about lining my pet box with 1oz golds, with some litter on top (maybe a small turd also) Cant see anyone poking too closely with that! The silver would be too heavy I think, not a ton mind you, but some until I could get a better feel for how to get things in and out of the country.
Lining the bottom, maybe with duct tape “holding down” a feeder dish. As for coins, my thoughts on that were to somehow attach them to a highend purse-in plain site, visible, like ornaments, who’d keep 10k in gold coins hanging off a purse? If they’re sealed spraypaint them metalic gold. I’m open to other creative ideas! Otherwise I’d think about Canada to anywhere but here, then to Ecuador to avoid a shakedown, Tracy