HOW do you get gold onto the plane...?

[OROBTC]

...

A year or two ago I was in contact (via email) a fellow fan of gold.  This guy has gone on to become a whacko/weirdo, and has alienated some people in the "Physical Gold Advocates" ("PGA") community.  

He told me that he knew a way to get gold past the TSA (etc.) and on to an airplane flight (ah, think taking gold to another country).  I asked him how much how he wanted if he would tell me, but gave me a runaround and then said $1000!

I have thought and thought and thought, but I have yet to come up with such a technique.  Remember, gold will show up on the TSA X-ray machines.

So, I put this question out to any and all of you:

How do I get gold onto the plane?

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FYI, the most prominent "PGA" is FOFOA:

fofoa.blogspot.com   <=== Highly recommended!  LONG posts, but most excellent, and he has a unique take on gold.

FOFOA is very respected, and is NOT the weirdo whom I was emailing some time ago.

[markj113]

For the purpose of smuggling gold into India I presume?

[OROBTC]

For the purpose of smuggling gold into India I presume?

Shh, but the big risk with that is upon arrival in INDIA... 

I am more interested in getting it ONTO the plane without detection.  Bringing it into another country is a separate problem.

[HarizDB]

You take one of those male birthcontrole rubber things and put one unit in it, then eat it. When you arrive at your destination, you go po po and the you have it! wooops wrong topic 
In all honesty, i don't know. Maybe try to make a lady friend who works as a steward to take it for you?

[indiemax]

You take one of those male birthcontrole rubber things and put one unit in it, then eat it. When you arrive at your destination, you go po po and the you have it! wooops wrong topic 
In all honesty, i don't know. Maybe try to make a lady friend who works as a steward to take it for you?

Perhaps do this and say it's a present for the wife

[DebitMe]

Forgive me as I have not had need to take gold out of the country.  But why can't you take gold onto planes and what would be the reasoning for taking it out of the country?

Again no judgement or anything, I really have no idea why you can't take gold out of the country.

[markj113]

I believe the op's theoretical situation is getting gold on to a plane from a country with no restrictions so it does not have to be declared at the arrival destination.  Probably pay off some luggage handlers to bypass customs in the country with restrictions i.e India

I suppose it depends how much gold you are taking about.  For small quantities a few gold sovereigns mixed in with loose change would probably go undetected.  If you are talking kg bars it would be a lot harder.

[Moneyburner]

Second for why it's not legal in the first place? And couldn't you just put it in something that already would show up anyway, like a computer?

[markj113]

Second for why it's not legal in the first place? And couldn't you just put it in something that already would show up anyway, like a computer?

Some countries do not allow the import or export of gold or charge heavy taxes.

[odolvlobo]

There are no laws against transporting gold out of the U.S., but there are reporting requirements. Read this: http://www.financialsense.com/contributors/mark-nestmann/understand-rules-before-you-transport-precious-metals-overseas-part-i

[NorrisK]

That guy was probably just trying to earn some money of you and would have been better of asking for a much lower amount for his "wisdom".

Anyway, large amounts of golds will never be able to be transported on a plane due to it's weight.

The guy was probably thinking about smaller quantities, which you could do by making some crap jewelry and just wear it (full gold bracelet maybe? could be quite the amount of gold).

[Moneyburner]

Second for why it's not legal in the first place? And couldn't you just put it in something that already would show up anyway, like a computer?

Some countries do not allow the import or export of gold or charge heavy taxes.

Did not think it would be that big of an issue. It has to be much easier to hide however than other 'illegal' things. No scene, can be turned into any shape/size, ect..

[peonminer]

Bake some ounces into the bottom of some cupcakes and mail them to yourself there? VAT claim - $8.50 

[4by2]

Second for why it's not legal in the first place? And couldn't you just put it in something that already would show up anyway, like a computer?

Some countries do not allow the import or export of gold or charge heavy taxes.

Even carrying anywhere close to 6 ounces of gold would be enough to tip off TSA agents and get you filing paperwork (In the best case) because you technically are not allowed to leave the USA with over $10,000 in value. This could be problematic if you are transferring large sums in Precious Metals, but for an ounce or two it should be fine. Just add a GoPro to catch anyone stealing.

[CoinCube]

Melt it into the shape of metal barbell weights then paint it and package it up with exercise gear.

[OROBTC]

...

Let's say 20 ounces.  Just theoretically.  That makes up a plastic tube of Gold Eagles (a Mint tube), and would weigh less than 2 lbs, but still is about 3" * 1.5" * 1.5" tube measurement.

The stewardess idea seems the best so far, but then you would have to trust her...  

Turning them into exercise weights (painted black) would seem to be a pain in the butt, and you would then have to assay your Au upon arrival "over there".  Still, that might work...

But, the weirdo/whacko I mentioned said there was a great way to get gold onto the plane, and I don't think he meant a private jet (a great idea if you are VERY RICH).

*   *   *

Yes, you can take ANY amount of gold (or even currency) out of the USA freely as odolvlobo mentioned.  But, you do have to report it if total value of what you are taking is over $10,000.

That would attract the attention of TSA (probably Customs and other cops, who might confiscate it even though legal: "Asset Forfeiture") as well as fellow passengers, who might rat you out upon arrival.  Can't be too careful.

[peonminer]

Melt it into the shape of metal barbell weights then paint it and package it up with exercise gear.

Even better, hollow out some weights and fill them with the poured gold.

[abs350]

It depends how much you have.

If you have alot, you could consider melting it down and alloying it with another metal to make it less detectable. Then you could use it as something innocuous. At the destination it's a simple procedure to de-alloy (that's not a technical term) the metal and get back to pure gold and you don't lose any of the original.

Of course this is only worth it if you have alot of gold since the cost of melting is high (it requires special facilities).

Otherwise you can transport it by vehicle or even through the mail if you're careful. There are many ways.

Gold is actually relatively easy to disguise and there is a whole black market that exists around resmelting gold. If you're interested take a look at what happened to the Brinksmat gold in the uk in the 1980s.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

You take one of those male birthcontrole rubber things and put one unit in it, then eat it. When you arrive at your destination, you go po po and the you have it! wooops wrong topic 
In all honesty, i don't know. Maybe try to make a lady friend who works as a steward to take it for you?

Why would anyone have to jump through such incredibly uncomfortable hoops just to transport $1000 worth of gold.  OP, you did say $1000, right?  That's one ounce.  I don't think you have to do anything weird to do this, but I don't know your country's laws.  Come to think of it, I don't know my country's laws either but it's not illegal to own gold, I know that, and I don't think that if I had a gold coin in my pocket anyone at the airport would give me crap about it.  You could always ship it.

[DaddyMonsi]

If it's not to many, turn it into jewelry and wear it going to the airport 
I don't think they will question anyone for wearing to much bling bling but if it's a lot like in gold bullion.
Much better if you just declare it so if anything bad happens it's covered by the plane owner.