Can I bring Cash to United States?
Cash→United States
⚠️ Declaration Required
📋 Carrying Limits
- Value Cap:$10,000 USD or equivalent
✅ Declaration Requirements
✅Required
Form needed: FinCEN Form 105 (Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments)
📌 Quick Summary
🔗 Official Information Source:
Last Updated:2025/1/15
Reliability:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📝 Important Notes
- •Declaration Threshold: You must declare if you're carrying $10,000 USD or more (or foreign currency equivalent) when entering or leaving the United States.
- •What Counts as "Monetary Instruments":
- •Physical cash (U.S. or foreign currency)
- •Traveler's checks
- •Money orders
- •Negotiable instruments (bearer bonds, securities)
- •Gold coins
- •How to Declare: Complete FinCEN Form 105 and present it to CBP officers at the port of entry. The form is available at airports/borders or can be downloaded from CBP website.
- •Important Notes:
- •There is NO LIMIT on how much money you can bring - you just need to declare amounts over $10,000
❓ More Questions
Do I need to declare if I'm carrying exactly $10,000?
Yes! The requirement is for amounts of $10,000 OR MORE. If you have exactly $10,000, you must declare it.
Does this include money in my bank account or credit cards?
No. The declaration requirement only applies to physical currency and monetary instruments you're physically carrying. Money in bank accounts, credit cards, or wire transfers are not included.
What if my family is traveling together?
If you're traveling as a family or group, the $10,000 threshold applies to the TOTAL amount carried by all members combined. For example, if you carry $6,000 and your spouse carries $5,000, you must declare because the total is $11,000.
What happens if I forget to declare or didn't know about the requirement?
Ignorance is not an excuse. CBP can seize ALL your money, not just the amount over $10,000. You may face civil penalties (forfeiture of funds) and criminal charges. To get your money back, you'll need to go through a lengthy legal process and may need to hire an attorney.
Can I split my money between checked luggage and carry-on to avoid declaration?
No! This is illegal and considered "structuring" or "smurfing" - deliberately trying to evade reporting requirements. CBP has the authority to search all your belongings, and attempting to hide money can result in criminal charges.
Will declaring my money cause problems or delays?
No. Declaration is a simple process that takes only a few minutes. CBP officers are accustomed to processing these forms. As long as your money is from legal sources, declaring it will NOT cause any problems. It's much better to declare than risk seizure and prosecution.
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