Cash and Insurance...

[Phoenix]

Hi All,

A couple final newbie questions before I leave for Ukraine…

Is it ok to take about $2,500 in cash? I will drop a grand on arrival for my apartment and I want to be sure I have plenty of cash for my trip. I am a bit insecure about relying on using ATM machines - things happen, and if for some strange and unforeseen reason I have trouble with my card, bank, or the ATM's I do not want to be left without enough cash. Also, there is the concern of card copying, however true or probable that is.

I know I will have to go to the 'red' line and declare the money; is that a big deal? In the opinions of experienced traveler's, what is the less troublesome… the red line or dealing with ATM's? :noidea:



Second, I do not have health insurance right now; I had understood that Ukraine does not require proof of insurance, but today someone told me they were sure Ukraine had a requirement for personal health insurance ! What are the facts please?

Thanks!

Tim

[jb]

Depending on how long you intend to stay, $1500 is a lot of money. WRT  insurance, you can buy a policy at the airport for a few bucks.

[Admin]

Second, I do not have health insurance right now; I had understood that Ukraine does not require proof of insurance, but today someone told me they were sure Ukraine had a requirement for personal health insurance ! What are the facts please?

Thanks!

Tim

There used to be a 'cottage industry' in Ukraine which required all foreign visitors to purchase their state-sponsored health insurance. It only cost a few $$ and the biggest problem was the time it took to purchase the insurance on entry at the airport.

Officially, the requirement was abandoned several years ago - though I have heard reports that some of the airports outside of Kyiv sometimes make the demand. If you are flying into Boryspil (in Kyiv), then I think there should be no problem with insurance.

- Dan

[ronin308]

Dan's right on the insurance, Lviv was still hitting people up for insurance when I went last May.

I thought they changed it to $3000 cash but can't find anything to back that up.

[dorogoyroberto]

You can bring in up to $10,000 if you so indicate on the customs  declaration form. You do not have to declare it on the aforementioned  form if you have $1,000 or less *but* you must verbally say so -- a.k.a.  an "oral declaration" -- to the customs agent.

Please see http://www.ukremb.com/consular/customs.html for details from the Ukranian Embassy in Washington.

Roberto
Kiev, Ukraine

[bgreed]

A $1,000 for an apartment?  How long are you staying?  That's like two months rent fro a very nice apartment.

[Admin]

Hi All,

A couple final newbie questions before I leave for Ukraine…

Is it ok to take about $2,500 in cash? I will drop a grand on arrival for my apartment and I want to be sure I have plenty of cash for my trip. I am a bit insecure about relying on using ATM machines - things happen, and if for some strange and unforeseen reason I have trouble with my card, bank, or the ATM's I do not want to be left without enough cash. Also, there is the concern of card copying, however true or probable that is.

I know I will have to go to the 'red' line and declare the money; is that a big deal? In the opinions of experienced traveler's, what is the less troublesome… the red line or dealing with ATM's? :noidea:



Second, I do not have health insurance right now; I had understood that Ukraine does not require proof of insurance, but today someone told me they were sure Ukraine had a requirement for personal health insurance ! What are the facts please?

Thanks!

Tim

There is another post in the Travel section (found here -- http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/forum6/1063.html) which links out over to Boryspil (Kyiv) Airport's English site. They describe ALL the conditions for entry and departure on the site. In sum - a foreigner may bring up to $1000 USD and use the Green Channel at customs. You may bring in as much as $10,000 USD in cash - or $50,000 in traveler's cheques (TC are NOT recommended) and use the Red Channel. My experience between the Green Channel and Red Channel is there is not much difference - BUT - that is dependent on your luck as to landing priority. You see, there are numerous international flights which are due to arrive into Kyiv within the same 1 to 2-hour window. If there are delays of any sort - of if you just happen to come in behind a full flight or three - then you can wait in line a good long time. If you are among the first flight landed, it is a breeze through either channel.

As for ATM's versus cash. My preference has always been to carry cash - but that may be due to the fact I began traveling to Ukraine before they had any ATM's available.

I have used ATM's there - but sparingly.

I hope this helps.

- Dan

[Michelangelo]

I'd take about $500 cash  plus the money for the apartment....and get the rest from ATMs.  Last time I took too much cash I got robbed!  So do wear a money belt.

I understand the fear of ATMs but I have had no trouble at all using them in Ukaine...and they spit out local currency which is a big plus.

[Preston]

My first time over I took $1500.00 in cash and was fine! Didn't need to purchase insurance! I used my debit card or credit card at any of the ATM machines and had no problem but later found it was better to get a ATM that offered Us money then found a place on the street to exchange! Natasha always got me a good exchange rate! Lateer found out that my bank charged me $80.00 dollars for them to exchange!

[Albert]

The concern is not bringing USD into the country, it is taking the USD out of the country.  To prove that you are not taking too much (new) out of the country . . . that is why you need to declare the amount  you are bringing in.

The amount that you can take out has been revised upward.  However, to avoid possible problems and different interpretations by various customs agents, etc., I always play it safe and declare my dollars at the Red Line when coming in.

I have never had any delay in Red Line at Kyiv, Odesa or Simferopol.  But, as others say, it depends on the volume of flights arriving on or about the same time.

The insurance requirement was lifted several years ago.

I reported in another thread that my info was lifted by computer savy persons within the banking system when I used my ATM card inside large banks in Kyiv.  This info was then used by persons in Russia to withdraw money from my account.  I have since stopped using ATM machines.

I now bring in $3,000 - 4,000 and keep it in a money pouch inside my shirt.  It is a real pain in @ss to do this, but better than alternative of having your bank accounts cleaned out.  I also have collegues ready to send me money via WU if I run short.

[BC]

Just stick to the ATM's listed on your card issuers site. (ATM locator)

If something untoward happens with your account just dispute and let your card issuer work it out.

Still much safer than carrying a lot of cash.

Albert is right.. it's not about taking cash in it's taking more than you came with back out.. that's the limit you have to watch out for.  In RU I always hit the red line but mostly to justify the that the laptop and other electronics  I carry  are clear to go  back out again.  Never took more than a few minutes to get thru with paperworked stamped.

[Jet]

If health insurance IS a concern of yours, just do a google search for "travel insurance" there are a bunch of companies that can issue a policy for the length of your trip over the net for under $50 per month of travel. A buddy of mine required a hospital stay while in RUssia over the holidays and was glad he'd purchased the insurance as he was able to go to one of the better "western" hospitals for care without incurring much out-of-pocket expense. I bought it my first trip over, didn't use it and never bought it again, but it's really what ever YOU are comfortable with.

[Photo Guy]

[color="navy"][size="3"]In Kiev,  I used the ATM built into the front of the Kozatskyy Hotel at  Independence Square without a problem. That, plus my money belt. I  exchanged my money in that little nook near the McDonald's in the same  area. Flying into Borispol did not require any insurance documents. The  landing card on the plane was microscopic, requiring tiny penmanship  and a steady hand as the plane jumped through the clouds and descended.  I'd bring a magnifying glass next time. That's the smallest 'form' I  had ever seen.    -doug[/size][/color][/b]

[Oosik]

RE insurance:
Unless you have a high-tech disease that requires specialized western medicine, sounds like you won't be too cash strapped to pay cash at hospitals. There is a reason why doctors and nurses there don't make diddly-squat. My US buddy in Kamchatka broke his foot. Total expense was about $15.

Now, if you get sick, and have to stay inpatient, don't expect a nurse to fluff your pillows. They are short on staff.

RE money:
If you are staying in Kiev, others can advise you better. If you go to a smaller, non-tourist town, good luck spending $20 per day. If you go to a small town and average more than that, you are being the rich American, ready to be taken. In Chernigov, my most expensive dinner for two was just under $10. She nibbled, but ordered plenty for me. One beer, one wine included.  
Wine, Beer and two small salads with chicken at a ordinary cafe cost about $4.00.  I could buy 2 days of food for $10 easy at the store, including a boatload of fruit juice. Salami (pronounced close to that, so it is easy to buy), cheese and bread is a staple for your fridge, and it gives you something to nibble on when you bring her over to look at your pictures.

[Phoenix]

Thank you all for the information and advice.

It is 4AM here in California and I am just about to head out for the airport. I am looking forward to a great experience and adventure.

Of course I hope to meet my future bride on this trip, but even if I do not, I know I will have a wonderful time being around the history and culture of Ukraine as well as meeting a lot of good people.

I haven't slept in over 26 hours, but I am wide awake. Do you suppose that is happy excitement, or just good ol' scared shytless?


poka!

Tim