1)
Carry sales receipts for any that you take on your travels.
(Where you get your 'lost' receipts from is up to you)
2) Some countrys may not say anything when you Enter them BUT when you go to the airport to board your return flight, they may ask you why you did not declare the items when you Entered their country and thus give you a problem at the foreign xray/customs machines, etc. (They may then charge you to export the stuff). The official-looking receipts you took with you may help in this case.
3) Yes, divide the things between fellow travelers if you can.
4) The question never an answer found for is: How much is the gold, etc. valued at. $10000 max -- is it the face value on coins for example ($50 Eagles) or what? No one seems to have a definitive answer to this.
It is a Big hassle.
Oh, if you make jewelry (or similar) out of them, they may fall into a different category... to your advantage.
An alternative - use a non-usury based banking system/currency such as those in the Middle-East, Islamic regulated banks ((
banks that invest money, and do not loan money)
. They are far more stable (IMO).
Best stay home and not get so frightened about the sky falling. It is not going to fall. Relax and appreciate where you are, unless you live in a getto or possibly an overpopulated area.
Many States are still a good choice for now.
