Hi All,  I hate to sound like a killjoy, but it's illegal to send
U.S. currency to a foreign country -- period!  I'm not sure if it's
illegal to send foreign currency to the US, but I would think that
the same laws apply.

Back in the days of Viet Nam, paying for anything with U.S. currency
while in a foreign country was considered black market trading.  All
U.S. servicemen were told this from the time they entered boot camp.

I'm not exactly sure why it's illegal to send cash through the mail
to foreign countries, but I can imagine it has something to do with
international monetary control.  While it might seem like a minor
violation of the law, it is a Federal offense.  In my opinion, publicly
admitting that you violate federal law is foolish and ill-advised...

 [ I noted to John that it's okay to carry money abroad and exchange
 [ it at the port of entry, etc.  -- Robbie

Actually, that's not the crux of the discussion in the MMD.  The topic
is paying for foreign goods and/or services with American currency and
sending paper money through the mail.

See:  http://pe.usps.gov/text/imm/immc1_003.html#SGbDw3dewats 

 [ This web page displays Section 130, Mailability, of the
 [ International Mail Manual (IMM), published by U.S. Postal Service.
 [ Down the page a bit is Section 134.1, which says that "coins,
 [ banknotes, and currency notes (paper money) ... may be sent only in
 [ registered letter-post mailpieces or insured parcels."  -- Robbie

The point is clear that the government wants to know when paper money
is being sent to a foreign country in the mail.  Therefore, it is
logical to assume that sending paper money without properly declaring
it is illegal.

Musically,
John A Tuttle
Player-Care.com
Brick, New Jersey, USA