How much cash can you carry and how much cash must you declare to US Customs when flying US/International?

Question

I just read this article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13435638/

My suspicions lead me to believe that these dogs not only are trained to sniff narcotics but also large amounts of cash. Has anyone had experience declaring large amounts of cash with US Customs. For legal reasons, of course...

Answer 1

You can carry any amount you like, 10k or more must be declared
BTW
there are scanners that can tell how much cash you have, so dont try to hide it

Answer 2

Two things:
1 - I've heard/read that most cash has trace amounts of illegal drugs on it - yes, even the ordinary cash that you and I carry around every day. Don't know if it's true but.... you don't want to find out the hard way at the airport when Rover starts sniffing.
2 - Even if it's "legal" to carry 800 million in cash, you're still going to get lots of questions, will probably get taken to a special room for an "interview" and if you get snotty or huffy you'll miss your flight or will be arrested on some charge. Don't mess with the Feds, and especially the TSA they have no sense of humor about this stuff.

So... why do you need to carry so much cash? Ever hear of Visa? Why not just put it in a bank and use good old plastic to move it around? It's so much more convenient.

Answer 3

According to these pages

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/money.xml
http://help.customs.gov/cgi-bin/customs.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=447&p_created=1043364939&p_sid=NI7ACPmi&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NTcwJnBfcHJvZHM9JnBfY2F0cz0mcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0mcF9wYWdlPTE*&p_li=&p_topview=1

there is no limit, but you must declare any amount over $10,000. These pages say that currency of any amount is not taxed. But I suppose that if a Customs agent asks how much money you are carrying, you must and should answer honestly. I think they grabbed this guy because he was caught in a lie, which is grounds enough for arrest and seizure of his cash, and maybe grounds for suspicion of carrying other contraband.

Answer 4

I think upto $ 10,000 is ok. Anything more, though allowed with proper documentation/permits, is rare.

Answer 5

You can carry $9,999 into the US. $10,000 or more must be declared