What Are the Rules with TSA Concerning Valuables and Gold Coins?

Whether you give gold or silver coins as a birthday gift to a close friend or relative or receive them for Christmas and need to get them back home on a flight, it is essential to contact the airline to find out what the guidelines are, so you remain in compliance. You would not want your precious cargo to be the victim of thieves.

When it comes to TSA and flying with coins, the federal Transportation Security Administration screens your bags and you before you board a flight. There are specific rules for carrying precious metals on a commercial airline that all passengers must abide by for their own protection. Let us check out some of the rules if you find yourself in this situation.

TSA and Gold Coins

Whether you travel to another location to pick up a unique collectible coin or visit a loved one from a distance away who happens to gift one to you, you will find yourself in the position of having to transport the prize back home safely and following the TSA guidelines, so there is no incident where you end up at a loss.

There are specific rules set up with the airlines primarily for the individual’s protection and that of the other passengers.

It would be best to inquire when making flight arrangements to be prepared and in compliance on the day you are scheduled to fly. Go to https://traveltips.usatoday.com/travel-gold-coins-107387.html for guidance on traveling with gold coins. Some rules to be mindful of include:

●     Make sure the coins are in a carry-in, not a checked bag

As a priority, ensure that anything of value, especially precious metals are not in a bag that you intend to check. Keep all gold, silver, or other collectibles in a carry-on. While airlines do their due diligence to avoid losing passengers’ luggage, there is a risk, and it does occasionally happen. If you fall into that slim few, there will be a significant loss.

However, the most considerable risk is theft while the bag is in transition from the airport to the plane or the turnstile for pickup when you reach your destination. The indication is there are thousands of theft reports to TSA of items stolen out of luggage.

Make sure the carry-on is one you can keep tucked in front of you under the seat, so you have a view of it.

●     Do not be sneaky with your valuables

Carrying gold coins on a flight is entirely legal to go across state lines as long as the value is assessed lower than $1 million. The recommendation is that you do not attempt to hide coins in a bag, believing the agents will miss these when scanning. TSA will notice the coins, and likely become annoyed you didn’t take the time to disclose them.

Lying will bring attention to you as someone suspicious, possibly leading to the agents pulling you aside for further inspection delaying your gate arrival. When flying to another country and not declaring cash, gold coins, and anything of a greater value than $10000 will warrant a fine.

The suggestion is to contact the airline from which you are departing before the date you intend to leave (at least 24 hours before) to let them know what you are traveling with. Not doing so can result in delays plus added expenses you might not be prepared for. Look here for guidelines on flying with valuables.

Final Thought

When you are forthright with the TSA agents, and they know to anticipate that you will be arriving with valuable collectibles yet still want to inspect the baggage closer at the checkpoint, request a private screening to avoid other passengers being privy to your private collection.

It is also wise to ensure you keep close watch of the bag as it goes down the conveyor belt to the x-ray machine in the instance another passenger mistakenly grabs the carry-on.

While it seems a massive hassle to go through, it is well worth it once you get your prized possession home to add to your collection. The idea of chasing more collectibles and going through the stress of flying them home might take some considerable thought in the future – unless you find that needle in the haystack.

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