How Much Cash Can You Carry on a Plane Internationally?
While you can legally carry any amount of money (cash, traveler’s checks, money orders, or foreign currency) while traveling at the airport, TSA often flags large sums of money in baggage and involves U.S. Customs. If you’re flying to or from the U.S. with more than $10,000, federal law requires you to report it (31 USC § 5316(a)(1)) with the FinCEN Form 105.
Failure to do so can lead to civil asset forfeiture, travel delays, or even potential criminal charges.
At San Diego Defenders – Forfeiture Law Firm, we help travelers recover funds seized at the airport by Customs. Call us at (619) 258-8888 for a free consultation. We offer payment plans and contingency fees (you don’t pay unless we win). See our recent results here.
I Got An Airport Form 6051S Receipt & Seizure Letter- What Next?
After dealing with TSA and Customs agents, Customs will generate a Custody Receipt for you (Form 6051S), and you will also receive a Notice of Seizure letter with an Election of Proceedings through certified mail.
It can be confusing, but an experienced airport cash seizure attorney can help you select the quickest and appropriate election of proceeding for your specific case.
Speak to Attorney Dan Smith for a free consultation with San Diego Defenders – Forfeiture Law Firm at (619) 258-8888. With 35 years of experience in federal defense, we’ve helped numerous clients recover money seized across various airports in the United States.
You must act quickly to contest forfeiture, as there are tight deadlines to challenge the seizure before your money is permanently lost to the federal government.
Recent Case Example of Airport Cash Seizure
For example, we recently had a client traveling from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on a flight to India, carrying $20,270 in U.S. currency. The money was intended for a traditional Indian engagement ceremony, and the funds were lawfully earned and entirely legitimate, but it was difficult to document.
While passing through security, TSA officers noticed the cash and alerted U.S. Customs. Customs agents questioned our client and ultimately seized the entire amount.
CBP Long Beach cited “Failure/Inaccurate Report of Over $10,000 Out of the U.S.” under 31 USC § 5316(a)(1)(A) and 31 USC § 5317(c)(2) as the basis for the airport cash seizure since our client had not filed FinCEN Form 105. However, we are pleased to share that we successfully secured the return of $20,270 for our client from Customs by filing a claim on their behalf.
Attorney Smith chose a claim in this case since a petition does not allow as much due process to justify the return.
Get Your Money Seized at the Airport Back Today!
If your cash has already been seized at the airport, don’t wait. Contact San Diego Defenders – Forfeiture Law Firm today at (619) 258-8888. We are experienced in asset forfeiture, understand the complexities of federal forfeiture law, and will fight diligently to recover what’s rightfully yours. Click here to learn more about Customs Airport Cash Seizures.
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This includes airports such as:
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
Cross Border Xpress (CBX)
Birmingham International Airport (BHM)
Huntsville International Airport (HSV)
Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)
Juneau International Airport (JNU)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Tucson International Airport (TUS)
Yuma International Airport (YUM)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Washington D.C. Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Key West International Airport (EYW)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Panama City-Bay County International Airport (PFN)
Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport (ATL)
Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Boston, Logan International Airport (BOS)
Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport (AZO)
Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
St. Louis, Lambert International Airport (STL)
Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS)
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
Atlantic City International Airport (ACY)
Newark International Airport (EWR)
Albuquerque International Airport (ALB)
Albany International Airport (ALB)
New York, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Portland International Airport (PDX)
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Spokane International Airport (GEG)
