STERLING, Va. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at Washington Dulles International Airport seized more than $43,000 from a U.S. citizen Sunday for violating federal currency reporting regulations.
The man arrived on a flight from Ethiopia and presented a CBP Declaration form declaring that he was in possession of $30,000. A CBP officer referred him for a secondary inspection where he completed a U.S. Treasury Department form reporting $30,000. During a baggage examination, a CBP officer found an additional $13,015 for a total of $43,015. CBP officers seized the $43,015 and advised the traveler how to petition for the return of the currency.
There is no limit to how much currency travelers can import or export; however federal law requires travelers to report to CBP amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars or equivalent foreign currency.
“Travelers who refuse to comply with federal currency reporting requirements run the risk of having their currency seized, and may potentially face criminal charges,” said Wayne Biondi, CBP Area Port Director for the Port of Washington. “The traveler was given the opportunity to truthfully report his currency. The easiest way to hold on to your money is to report it.”
In addition to currency enforcement, CBP routinely conducts inspection operations on arriving and departing international flights and intercepts narcotics, weapons, prohibited agriculture products, and other illicit items.
Travelers are encouraged to visit CBP’s Travel website to learn rules governing travel to and from the U.S.
The Privacy Act prohibits releasing the traveler’s name since he was not criminally charged.