Question for Mark in TX or anyone w/recent trip to Ukraine

[michaels]

Mark,
When you entered Ukraine, did you have to show the custom or any other authorities how much money you were taking inside the country?
Another words did they actually verified the amount of money you took in and when out of the country?
Reason I am asking is we are trying to transfer some of my mother-in-law's money out of the country, by me taking a minimum amount with me during my trip but report higher amount at the airport. I understand you only can bring out about $1000.
Thanks,

[TimInKherson]

... in response to Question for Mark in TX or anyone w/rece..., posted by michaels on Jun 14, 2002

On your Deklaratsia, you are asked to declare how much money you have (entering and leaving...and, yes, they compare the two). Under a $1000, you can go through the "green line," between $1000.01 and $10,000, you must go through the "red line." Over $10,000 you have to get permission (a pain in the bum). They won't let you take in more than 85 Hrynia. On the way out, you can take as much as you want, as long as it is not more than you brought in.

Hiding money in shoes, etc. is not a wise move. In Ukraine, if you are abiding by the law (to its exact letter), there is little they can or will do to you (especially a foreigner), but if you give them the proverbial inch (lying on your deklaratsia) they will get this big Chesire cat grin and think about all of the stuff they are going to buy with the money they confiscate from you.

A VIP service often means you get through without hassle. I am fortunate enough to have a family friend in Kiev Customs, but I still declare my money accurately.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Re: Question for Mark in TX or anyone w/..., posted by TimInKherson on Jun 15, 2002


Besides, in the states, they regulalry make you take off your shoes now.

If this practice ever goes to other countries, it woul dbe embarrassing...

Considering how much money you are "allowed" to take... is this really a problem?

[snowwego]

... in response to Question for Mark in TX or anyone w/rece..., posted by michaels on Jun 14, 2002

this is what I do I claim 1000$. Then I will put the rest in the bottom of my shoe until in the air. Make sure you do this before you get to the airport and do not let the taxi guy see it either. Just to be safe. If that is all your hiding you will never have a problem.

[Paci]

... in response to Question for Mark in TX or anyone w/rece..., posted by michaels on Jun 14, 2002

n/t

[Dan]

... in response to Question for Mark in TX or anyone w/rece..., posted by michaels on Jun 14, 2002

You are allowed to take into Ukraine $10,000 in cash (USD or equivalent) and $50,000 in Traveler's Cheques.

There is a Declaration Form that MUST be completed on entry - whether you use VIP or normal entry.

The likelihood they will ask to see your currency upon entry is slim - I've never been asked and I've made probably 20 entries (or more).

In fact, your approach is the least risky of all scenarios. If you declare the maximum ($10,000) but are only actually carrying $2,000 AND they ask to see the currency - you would be only required to change the declared value to be the value you actually have on your person.

Note - what you are planning to do is likely (if I understand it correctly) a violation of Ukraine law. Not that I am trying to dissuade you - only pointing out that it is likely against the laws of Ukraine.

I hope this helps.

- Dan

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Question for Mark in TX or anyone w/rece..., posted by michaels on Jun 14, 2002

I did use the VIP service. I don't think they were as stringent on us.

We did kind of get whisked through.

FWIW, I have never had to verify how much money I have taken in to any country, not Russia, nor Brazil, Nor Ukraine.

They can ask you to, I know, but they never have.

I get a much closer inspection when I fly from DFW to Philadeplhia, than when i go to another country...

[michaels]

... in response to Nope... But..., posted by MarkInTx on Jun 14, 2002

Don't they have declaration form that you state how much money you have with you?
It seems to me they asked for it every time I went to Ukraine and also when I was returning.
It's good to know they may not ask if "Express Service" or "VIP" is used. Thanks for your input.

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Re: Nope... But..., posted by michaels on Jun 14, 2002

Yes, there is a form asking you.

You have the same forms in the VIP lounge...

But I am just saying that they didn't ask me to open my wallet and show it.

I had $1100 on me, and they didn't blink. I don't know if that is considered a lot of money or not.

When I was leaving, I put: $0. The lady asked me about this. And I said: Nope I have nothing left.

And then I put my hand in my pocket and said: "Wait! Yes I do!" and I showed her the 5 hrv I had left.

She looked at my form (which showed I entered with $1100) and said: "You planned well..." And stamped my form and passed me through.

I think they are more concerned with the money that is leaving with you. At the airport when I left (when I did NOT use the VIP) they had two lines. You went through a faster line if you didn't have livestock, plants, or a lot of cash. (I can't remember now what the cut-off was on the cash you could take out without getting asked about it... but it seems to me it was quite high...)

[WmGo]

... in response to Form: Yes, posted by MarkInTx on Jun 14, 2002

is that if you say you have less than you really do on your person on the exit declaration form anything over declaration is subject to seizure under both Russian and Ukrainian law.

[Dan]

... in response to Form: Yes, posted by MarkInTx on Jun 14, 2002

You are supposed to make a declaration if you exceed any of the following:

* if Ukraine resident - more than 170 Grivna
* if NOT Ukraine resident - more than 85 Grivna
* more than $1000 USD (or equivalent) in foreign currency

If you have less, then you are allowed to use the "Green Channel" which only sometimes shaves some time off the queues.

- Dan

[Richard]

... in response to Question for Mark in TX or anyone w/rece..., posted by michaels on Jun 14, 2002

On my last trip to Kiev, in May, yes I did have to show my money - but only because I did not have a good count on how much I had and let the authorities know that.  It was easier to show them my wallet, money and atm card.

In the past when I have given a definitive answer, such as $400, I have not had to show my money.

[michaels]

... in response to Re: Question for Mark in TX or anyone w/..., posted by Richard on Jun 14, 2002

EOM