NUMBER:
006-85 |
SUBJECT:
Carrying Currency Out of Iraq |
DATE:
May 14, 2006 |
TO: All Mission Employees
FROM: Management Counselor - Gregory W. Engle
(Note: The guidance that follows in no way rescinds or changes the current prohibition on the use of outbound commercial flights from Baghdad International Airport for official travel by personnel under Chief of Mission authority.) We have received reports that U.S. Government personnel and non-Iraqi employees of U.S. contractors and subcontractors associated with the U.S. Government have been questioned, and even detained, by Iraqi authorities on the civilian side of Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) regarding the amount of currency they are carrying out of Iraq.
We have been advised by the Iraqi Government that, as of December 25, 2005, Iraqi law now prohibits non-Iraqi adults from transporting more than U.S. $10,000 in cash out of Iraq. Iraqi law also prohibits carrying out more than 100 grams of gold. Iraqi customs personnel are taking action to enforce this law and may pose related questions to travelers during immigration and customs exit procedures. (Civil customs personnel also will verify passport annotations related to any items such as foreign currency, gold jewelry, or merchandise that were declared by passengers upon entry into Iraq on Form-8.)
All U.S. Government personnel and non-Iraqi employees of U.S. contractors and subcontractors associated with the U.S. government are reminded that it is their duty to respect relevant Iraqi laws, including legal restrictions on the transfer of currency outside of Iraq.
If you are detained at the airport or at any other point of exit regarding your attempt to transfer currency out of Iraq, you should contact - or ask that Iraqi authorities immediately contact - the Embassy. U.S. Chief of Mission (COM) personnel and contractors associated with the U.S. Government should contact the Financial Management Office at 703-343-9140. The assertion of any applicable immunities from Iraqi legal process based on status as USG personnel or as a U.S. contractor associated with the U.S. government is the prerogative of the U.S. Government alone.
Transporting large amounts of currency is not advisable. Almost all of the international companies working in Iraq have the capability to make payments to their employees and sub-contractors directly to accounts offshore. Electing to receive payments in this fashion will obviate the need to carry large sums of cash.
If receiving cash in Iraq is the only option, Western Union services are available at AAFES to wire money outside Iraq for a fee. At least four Iraqi banks are also able to convert cash into an international wire transfer directed to a bank account outside Iraq. Branches of the Credit Bank of Iraq (Al-Sa'adoon St., Baghdad), Dar Es Salaam Bank (info@desiraq.com), Iraqi Middle East Investment Bank
(co-invst@iraqimdlestbank.com) an Al-Warqaa Investment Bank (warkabank@hotmail.com) all have this capability. Please be aware that large wire transfers may require Central Bank approval because of measures in place to combat money laundering. Such approvals can be obtained by the sending bank, if information on the origin of the funds and the reason for its transfer is provided. We also recommend that you carry English and Arabic copies of the Central Bank of Iraq notice announcing the limit, which is attached to this notice. In the event that you are carrying less than $10,000 in cash and are questioned, presentation of this document to Iraqi authorities may help resolve the matter expeditiously.
Approved: GWEngle/MGT
Drafted: MMitchell/L
Cleared: MYoung/MGT, BRiley/FMO and DMichaels/CONS |
