garimpo Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 For anybody that's planning on bringing gold back to the USA from another country here's some rules learned the hard way...Don't put it in your checked baggage...put it in your carry on!!!Declare it on the customs form...if you don't declare it and customs searches your luggage you could lose your gold...Most custom agents don't have a clue about the rules for gold bullion...but if you've declared it there's less of a problem...If asked for the value state a value is unknown since the purity isn't known...and it has to be refined to determine the purity...At the present time there's no tax or duty on gold bullion...For anybody planning on doing this I have the Gov. regulations that will make the customs people happy that you have them...I can forward if your interested.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xt18000 Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 Also keep in mind ,you can bring in any UNCUT gems or minerals duty free, as they are concidered ROCKS and/or specimen at that point, I belive Gold nuggets are exempt also. This is unless they have changed the law in the last few years that I have no knowledge of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoser John Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 AMEN--no quicker way to go to jail in a country where you are GUILTY till proven Innocent-a mirror image(ugly one too as much harder) and Jose Rivera is still in jail--or dead--in TJ Mexico from trying to get that artifact(gold hatchet head) through the mexico border walkthrough--over 25 years now-no word in over 5 years-bummer-John :shrug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DolanDave Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Can you still place them in a souvenir, and ship them UPS or Fedex? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 Since gold nuggets aka gold bullion is tax and duty free why take the risk of shipping it UPS or any other carrier...justcarry it and declare it and there's no problems...remember ICE has been doing this a long time and they know all the smugglers tricks and they have the equipment to get the job done...There's not much that will make you sweat more than having a ICE agent going through your luggage and finding (they will find it)ten oz. of gold nuggets that you didn't declare on Form 6059B and then taking ALL of the gold away for 10 or more minutes to see their supervisor....when asked why you have it's hidden in your camera case it's simple...theives don't thinkabout gold in a camera case and you can keep it in your hand because it's small and easy to carry....then the supervisor saysyou can go with your gold...Opposed to declaring it and having the ICE agent look at the gold and the copy of their regulations you hand them...then he goes to the siteaddy on your copy to make sure it factual and then your good to go...The same preparation goes for checked baggage with the airline your flying on...go to their baggage site and make a copy of theirregulations...for what ever reason the baggage allowance to and from Brazil is far greater than all other countries...Brazil allowance is two checked bags weighing not over 70 lbs...(I haven't checked it yet this year)and I had one ticket agent try tocharge me for the "extra"bag and over weight...around $150.00 more...I was not getting any where by trying to explain their rules for baggage so I asked to speak to her supervisor...she informed me she was the supervisor...now I'm getting hotunder the T-shirt and I said to her unless she was the owner of AA she had a supervisor...then I turned around(long line behindme) and said in a loud voice to a police officer standing about 50 feet away would he please come here...when I turned backaround the ticket agent had disappeared...I didn't move and I could tell by the agents next door they were very uncomfortable...in about three or four minutes my agent returned and started reading me the riot act and asking how I was going to pay for thecharges...while she was gone I pulled out my copy of their baggage regulations and this is what I handed her...talk about a pi$$ed off woman...without another word she made out my luggage decals but I always check them to make sure...glad I did becauseshe had my luggage going to Rio de Janeiro instead of San Paulo...so I corrected her on that "mistake" and she was actuallyshaking...So always be prepared with copies of regulations!!!!On another note...leaving a foreign country with gold is a whole different story...be sure to visit their Federal Police longbefore you travel and get their input and a copy of their regs...don't wait until your at the airport of departure and then ask..You may have to remember the small camera and film canisters in a large camera bag!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Soloman Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Here is some pointers a fellow posted a few year's back on gold nuggets coming home from Australia.. - Terry>>Rule#1....on leaving and entering a country if you don't declare it and they(customs) find it yourgoing to loose it...they declare it "contraband"...bye bye gold....Rule#2....customs has no way of determining the true value of raw gold nuggets(ie: % gold content) so if you have in your estimate $10,000.00 worth of nuggets at spot price then to be fair to all declare $5,000.00 which is still tax freeRule#3....customs are always worried about bringing in a disease...so if you say you've been on a farm in the last 30 days your going to get sprayed down with a powder to kill crawly things....Rule#4....don't put on the declaration form "gold"...instead put down these words:"sanitized orespeciman"...that's the magic words they are looking for...if they ask how you sanitized your ore specimen just say you soaked it in Nitric acid for 24 hrs.....then neutralized the acid with baking soda and water....<< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Dorado Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 Both times when I returned from Brazil I zero problems bringing nuggets into the US. I declared all the gold I had, and used the maximum allowable value with no duty. They never even looked at the gold or even seemed to care. I did declare I had been on cattle farms(which I certainly was) and they were more interested in fumigating my boots then any gold I had. And no Terry they did not spray me, just put my boots in a plastic bag with fumigant and sealed them up. They asked that the boots stay sealed for 24 hours. WhenThe only problem I can see is if a person were to bring in actual bullion coin/bars especially if the value were to exceed $10,000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacGump Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Both times when I returned from Brazil I zero problems bringing nuggets into the US. I declared all the gold I had, and used the maximum allowable value with no duty. They never even looked at the gold or even seemed to care. I did declare I had been on cattle farms(which I certainly was) and they were more interested in fumigating my boots then any gold I had. And no Terry they did not spray me, just put my boots in a plastic bag with fumigant and sealed them up. They asked that the boots stay sealed for 24 hours. WhenThe only problem I can see is if a person were to bring in actual bullion coin/bars especially if the value were to exceed $10,000 Trick is getting out of country with goodies. In 2007 I purchased a few tourist trap "gem bags" to get thru Sao Paulo. Now I come and go thru Brasilla---direct flight to Atlanta is a life saver ( well---shorter flight and no transfer) Have yet to try and take anything out but sure have brought some things thru without problem. Brazil allows 70lb bags because they pretty much want people to bring stuff in---electronics are outragous here. Every trip I bring a laptop to sell for three times US price--couple of watches for four or five times price---and pick up a case of JD or JW booze to help offset the ticket fare. Little trick for you if you should every come down again. And if you do---I'll pay good money for a jug of Jagermeister ;.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedrock Bob Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 I have had a lot more trouble in Mexico with the local Alcalde than with customs. But I always put my gold in my front pocket, keep a smile on my face and say "nada" when they ask what I have to declare. If they ask your business I always say "fishing". Even if you have no gear, even if you are coming through the Chihuahuan desert where the fish have rattles on their tails. Sometimes the US agents search the vehicle but I have never had them search my person at all. And in Mexico they might let a dog sniff you for drugs but on this side they cant search you with a dog. I dont think a dog would alert on gold but they WILL on money. Having money has never been a problem for me coming back across!If you told a soul in Antelope Wells, Columbus or Juarez that you were declaring gold you would not get it through. Period. If you keep your mouth closed and a big smile on your face there will be no problems at all. Even if you have so many nuggets your pants are sagging. I woud NOT suggest honesty as a strategy coming back from a hunt in Mexico. As a matter of fact only liars and thieves can survive there so I would not suggest honesty as a stategy for anything in Mexico. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlakMagnet Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Bedrock Bob,You crack me upyour delivery is right on...I also agree with you.Flak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highbanker58 Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 Thanks all of you for sharing. I would much rather learn from YOUR experience , than my own. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted March 26, 2011 Author Share Posted March 26, 2011 Terry that sounds like one of my post a few years back...BB your right on...Steve those boots of yours need more than fumigation...cremation would have been more fitting :hahaha:....MacGump your absolutely right about getting out of country...there probably is a legal way but I'm sure it would be very expensive and time comsuming...Different countries have different rules for taking minerals out of country...like Papua New Guinea...they can't take out nuggets unless their a piece of jewelry...one old lady there buys large nuggets from the local natives and has them solderedonto a piece of cheap fake gold chains and wears them out to sell them in Austrailia...El Dorado when you come down I need a lesson on soldering without destroying the value of the nugget!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Dorado Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 Maybe you need to come by here on your next US visit and I can teach you in the man cave!Those boots were finally laid to rest last fall! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Soloman Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 Terry that sounds like one of my post a few years back...More than likely! Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacGump Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 Terry that sounds like one of my post a few years back...BB your right on...Steve those boots of yours need more than fumigation...cremation would have been more fitting :hahaha:....MacGump your absolutely right about getting out of country...there probably is a legal way but I'm sure it would be very expensive and time comsuming...Different countries have different rules for taking minerals out of country...like Papua New Guinea...they can't take out nuggets unless their a piece of jewelry...one old lady there buys large nuggets from the local natives and has them solderedonto a piece of cheap fake gold chains and wears them out to sell them in Austrailia...El Dorado when you come down I need a lesson on soldering without destroying the value of the nugget!!!! With the big cowboy culture here in Goias--the ol' large belt buckle may be a way to go. Solder those bad boys on a gaudy piece of fazenda pride and away you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted March 27, 2011 Author Share Posted March 27, 2011 Ain't trying to one up ya MacGump but here in Uruacu we're the cow patty capitol of Goias...I'm trying to get enough nuggets for a BELT AND BUCKLE!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlivings Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Greetings from Ecuador. Does anyone have experience flying gold out of south America by way of a private chartered plane? I am a gold miner here, and though I won't be taking my gold to the U.S., I will be taking it somewhere for safe storage. The quantities I am talking about are large enough to want to avoid ground transport within Ecuador, and customs if possible. We are planning on having a chartered jet land on a private runway nearby, and fly us out. We will probably fly from here to Brazil or Argentina, then eventually to Europe. Any advice you might share would be appreciated. Gotta get it right the first time. I sure enjoy reading the posts on this forum. If anyone is curious about relatively small scale commercial gold mining in Ecuador, ask away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 jliving....I've been flying gold out of Brazil for 15 years but never by private jet...I don't think your problem will be with the mode of transportation but instead with the Federal Policemake sure the flight crews know the rules for International flight and how to file their flightplans...since it will be a private aircraft they might require a baggage declaration/check...on a scheduled flight that procedure is done at the airport security check point...You should have somebody that knows what they are doing and have them check the Ecuadorian ruleson the transport of gold bullion....here in Brazil it is illegal to even mail it from one state to another unless you have a special license to do so...which means the Feds want theirtaxes....Like you say you have to get it right the first time or the aircraft could be confiscate...thegold you'll never see again(bet on that one)...and everybody in the AC doing some heavy jailtime or a hugh payout to stay out....Also do a through check of your destination airport and the customs procedures there....Just so you know there's no duty on gold bullion entering the USA.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoser John Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Sage advice G--err on the side a caution as smuggling is smuggling--John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedrock Bob Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Sage advice G--err on the side a caution as smuggling is smuggling--John I agree. Smuggling is smuggling. I think it is a poor idea to discuss smuggling drugs, guns or anything else on a public forum. No skin off my fanny either way but it has bound to be against some kind of law to conspire. Just sayin'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garimpo Posted August 4, 2011 Author Share Posted August 4, 2011 BB your right about smuggling...all my gold is declared and legal...I don't think I would likejail and losing my gold...I see a lot of problems with jlivings thinking...first of all a private jet that is capable of International flight is not going to use a private home made strip...just the flight portion alone is a hugh problem and then there's the Federal Police....customs at every landing andtakeoff...The Federal Police in every country is well aware of smuggling tricks and I advise strongly against trying it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bedrock Bob Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 BB your right about smuggling...all my gold is declared and legal...I don't think I would likejail and losing my gold...I see a lot of problems with jlivings thinking...first of all a private jet that is capable of International flight is not going to use a private home made strip...just the flight portion alone is a hugh problem and then there's the Federal Police....customs at every landing andtakeoff...The Federal Police in every country is well aware of smuggling tricks and I advise strongly against trying it...Yeah, and the discussion we were having was a hypothetical discussion about crossing gold. This fellow is saying he is going to do it and wants advice on a specific plan. I'd be cautious. Not to insult jlivings but you never can be to careful you understand...And I would NEVER cross in Mexico like in the post above in this thread I was discussing a hypothetical situation that came to me in a dream after a blow to the head. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JuggaloGoldDigger Posted October 6, 2011 Share Posted October 6, 2011 Way back in 2001 the Carrefour; a large shopping mall in Doha Qatar (on the Persian Gulf) that rivals the Mall of America, installed some ATM machines that dispensed 1 gram gold bars and I purchased 6 of them as an investment. When I returned to the US I had no problem getting them in; simply declared them as gold bullion bars and never listed the weight or value. Customs never even took a peek at them. I resold 5 of them about 5 years ago and gave one to my daughter as a birthday gift on her 10th which she still has today!Not sure how easy it would be to bring in 24 karat bullion today in bar form; though I have bought some black sands from western Canada and never had any issue getting it shipped to my home.Just my personal experiences! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nocureforthefever Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 The Gold Nugget in Vegas got one of these :-)http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/dispatches/post/2011/01/las-vegas-atm-dispenses-gold/138002/1Sure easier than panning I guess Tee Hee!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Benjamin Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 On 8/3/2011 at 4:32 PM, jlivings said: Greetings from Ecuador. Does anyone have experience flying gold out of south America A jet airplane is very limited as to where it can land. Most runways won't accommodate jet planes. Can you be more specific as to the location of the Gold? Also is it mining ⛏️ digging or River Gold or what? Call me at 619-907-9029 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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