Cash / Currency 🇺🇸 United States
Must declare cash or monetary instruments over USD 10,000 on arrival and departure.
Can I bring Cash / Currency into United States?
Must declare cash or monetary instruments over USD 10,000 on arrival and departure.
No quantity limit; declaration required for USD 10,000+
- FinCEN Form 105 (Report of International Transportation of Currency) for USD 10,000+
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Travellers entering or leaving the United States must declare all cash and monetary instruments (including traveller's cheques, money orders, and negotiable instruments) totalling USD 10,000 or more on FinCEN Form 105 (FBAR). This rule applies to any single traveller or a group travelling together. Failure to declare results in civil seizure of the undeclared funds and potential criminal prosecution under 31 U.S.C. § 5316. CBP has broad civil asset forfeiture powers and can seize undeclared cash even from innocent travellers. There is no limit on the amount of cash you can bring — only a declaration requirement above the threshold.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 300–10000 USD
- Civil penalty only
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
At the airport
- If carrying USD 10,000 or more in cash or monetary instruments (including foreign currency at equivalent value), you must declare this on FinCEN Form 105 (Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments).
- At CBP, approach the declaration officer and hand in a completed Form 105. Officers at major airports (JFK, LAX, ORD) have the forms at the arrival hall.
- Failure to declare is a federal offence and may result in seizure of the entire amount plus civil and criminal penalties. Declaring truthfully protects your funds.
Leaving United States with cash / currency
Travellers departing from United States carrying cash, banker's cheques, bearer bonds, or other bearer-form negotiable instruments totalling USD 10,000 or more must complete FinCEN Form 105 (CMIR) 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 31 USC § 5316 (Bank Secrecy Act) 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 (USD).
Declare early on FinCEN Form 105. Honest disclosure avoids seizure. CBP officers can ask about any amount of cash, and evasive answers can trigger suspicion even below the threshold.
No quantity limit; declaration required for USD 10,000+
- FinCEN Form 105 (Report of International Transportation of Currency) for USD 10,000+
31 U.S.C. § 5316; Bank Secrecy Act; 31 CFR § 1010.340
This page covers destination customs rules in United States. 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 Kingdom
Must declare cash of GBP 10,000 or more when entering or leaving Great Britain.
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)