Cash / Currency 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Must declare cash of GBP 10,000 or more when entering or leaving Great Britain.
Can I bring Cash / Currency into United Kingdom?
Must declare cash of GBP 10,000 or more when entering or leaving Great Britain.
No quantity limit; declaration required for GBP 10,000+
- HMRC Cash Declaration form for GBP 10,000+
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Since Brexit, travellers entering or leaving Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) must declare cash (including notes, coins, bearer bonds, and cheques payable to bearer) of GBP 10,000 or more to HMRC. For Northern Ireland, the threshold when travelling to/from EU countries is EUR 10,000. Border Force can seize undeclared cash if it suspects it is linked to criminal activity. They can also seize cash above the threshold even without proof of crime if they deem it 'recoverable property'. The declaration process involves completing a Cash Declaration form at the port of entry or exit.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 250–20000 GBP
- Civil penalty only
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
Leaving United Kingdom with cash / currency
Travellers departing from United Kingdom carrying cash, banker's cheques, bearer bonds, or other bearer-form negotiable instruments totalling EUR 10,000 (or GBP equivalent) or more must complete BF-1700 at customs before boarding. This threshold aggregates all currencies at exchange-rate parity. Failure to declare is grounds for seizure of the entire cash amount under Cash Controls (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 plus criminal prosecution for aggravated cases. Source-of-funds documentation (bank withdrawal receipts, payroll records, sale contracts) may be requested. Legitimate declared movements are not restricted; the requirement is transparency-based to combat money laundering and tax evasion.
Values at or above this threshold must be declared (GBP).
Complete the Cash Declaration form before approaching border control. Undeclared cash can be seized even if legitimate — it is very difficult to recover seized funds.
No quantity limit; declaration required for GBP 10,000+
- HMRC Cash Declaration form for GBP 10,000+
Customs and Excise Management Act 1979; Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; The Customs (Cash Declarations) Regulations 2007
This page covers destination customs rules in United Kingdom. Whether you can carry cash / currency through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Cash / Currency rules in other countries
Cash / Currency
🇺🇸 United States
Must declare cash or monetary instruments over USD 10,000 on arrival and departure.
Cash / Currency
🇩🇪 Germany
EU rule: declare EUR 10,000 or more when entering or leaving the EU.
Cash / Currency
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Must declare cash of AED 60,000 or more (approx. USD 16,300) on arrival.
Cash / Currency
🇵🇭 Philippines
PHP 50,000 limit; foreign currency over USD 10,000 must be declared
Cash / Currency
🇻🇳 Vietnam
VND 15 million limit; USD 5,000 foreign currency
Cash / Currency
🇫🇷 France
EUR 10,000 declaration required (EU rule)