I am overseas and have some gold coins that I have owned for years in my apartment here. I’d like to bring them to the US. These are American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leafs and South African Krugerands.
I will have maybe 5 coins which collectively are worth under $10,000.
Do I need to declare anything to US customs?
This makes it seem like any amount of gold needs to be declared.
But is also says that only monetary instruments over $10K need to be declared… and the Eagles and Maple Leafs should be monetary instruments (but possibly not so with the Krugers).
The OP seems to be assuming that a particular gold coin cannot be both a monetary instrument and gold, for the purposes of US Customs. Why can’t it be both?
Yes, thank you. That is the correct page. I have owned these for years and don’t have receipts, but it is not clear if I need to declare gold under $10K. I certainly have never declared my wedding ring.
The link seems pretty clear to me: all gold must be declared, and in addition there’s a form you’ll need to fill out if their value (along with any other monetary instruments) exceeds $10k.
That page says, “There is no duty on gold coins, medals or bullion but these items must be declared to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer.” Another page says (under “Upon entering the United States you must declare:”), “All monetary instruments such as traveler’s checks, cash, gold coins, negotiable checks, money orders, promissory notes, and securities or stocks.”
I would fill out the customs form that asks if you have monetary items worth over $10K. They ask specifically about plants, food, etc. that you might be bringing (and even so rarely question you about food) and nothing about gold. If they asked, I would certainly declare them. But it has been 40 years since Americans were forbidden to hold gold.