Getting money in and out of Ukraine

[Noah]

Hello,
Maybe this question has been posted before, but i couldn't find any info on it. I need to bring a huge amount of USA money into Ukraine for a business there. Is there any safe or even sneaky way to do this?
What about getting the money back out in a few years? Thanks for any help you can offer!

[John K]

... in response to Getting money in and out of Ukraine, posted by Noah on May 24, 2004

First, why carry it in when you have ATMs over there?  Just set your daily limits up to a high amount.  I usually set my checking limit up to $1000 a day when I go over.  The downside is that most ATMs have a $300 daily limit, so you may have to hit 3 or 4 ATMs to get your daily limit.

Another option is to open a bank account over there and then do a wire transfer from American account to Ukrainian account.  The downside is that the Ukrainian goverment knows exactly what's coming in and going out.  If you keep the wire transfers down to a few thousand per transfer, you might be able to stay under the wire, but there's no guarantees.  Also, getting money out is much easier this way.

Otherwise, don't claim the money when you come in.  They don't search you unless you look suspicious.  Keep your cash in you pocket and don't be nervous.  While I personally don't condone this particular method, nothing stops you from doing it.

[Rags]

... in response to A few ideas for you, posted by John K on May 24, 2004

I have been asked to count out my money coming into Ukraine twice (out of six trips) down to the penny so don't rule this out. Maybe I just look suspicious when actually I was just in a hurry to get through that door and be with my lady but be aware that it does happen. Trying to smuggle extra cash through would be grounds for confiscation and I would hate to lose a substantial amount on a roll of the dice like that. You could also be jailed or have your visa revoked to boot.

I would go the "legal" route and transfer major funds through a bank account (even if it was less convenient and more costly) just to be safe and sure that you retain what is yours.

[John K]

... in response to Re: Borispol Customs, posted by Rags on May 25, 2004

My experience has been pretty different.  The only time I was ever asked to show my cash is when they lost my suitcase for a few days.  I had a couple of hundred dollars in it and I had put it in my claim.  When my suitcase came in, the customs agents wanted me to open the suitcase and show them the money.

Otherwise, I haven't needed to show any money coming in or going out.  Of course, I never carry more than $100 either way on me.  I got a weird look from passport control when I was leaving.  They asked me how much money I was taking out with me and I told them $10.  Still, they let me through without checking my money.

This has been my 5th trip now, and I guess I've been lucky.  Of course, Marina travels with me going over and she sees me off when I come back, so I guess they might be cutting me some slack.

Still, I agree with you that trying to sneak it in is pretty risky.  I wouldn't do that, not with ATMs prevalent even in the smaller towns.

[amerikanka99]

... in response to A few ideas for you, posted by John K on May 24, 2004

What is a large sum?  Not that it was probably the safest, but I used to carry in about $9K every few months.  This was back before they had ATMs though.  Never had a problem in customs.  Sometimes they would make me count it out for them.  And my own driver met me at the airport, so I wasn't worried about getting robbed on the way home or anything.