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  4. Philadelphia CBP Seizes $26K in Unreported Currency from Greece-Bound Travelers

Philadelphia CBP Seizes $26K in Unreported Currency from Greece-Bound Travelers

Release Date
Thu, 07/28/2016

PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized more than $26,000 from a Greece-bound couple who violated federal currency reporting regulations at Philadelphia International Airport Wednesday.

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.

During an outbound inspection, the couple reported verbally and in writing that they possessed $17,000. During an inspection, CBP officers discovered multiple envelopes that contained a combined $27,052. CBP officers provided the couple a humanitarian release of $501 and seized the remaining $26,551.

Officers released the couple to continue their travel to Greece.

File photo of CBP officers observing travelers.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers enforce
U.S. laws on arriving and departing international
travelers. (File photo)

“Customs and Border Protection officers afforded these travelers multiple opportunities to truthfully report their currency, and they chose to not do so. Travelers who refuse to comply with federal currency reporting requirements risk severe consequences, including currency seizure and potential criminal charges,” said Margaret Braunstein, Acting CBP Area Port Director for the Port of Philadelphia. “The easiest way for travelers to hold on to their currency is to truthfully report it all to a CBP officer during inspection.”

The Privacy Act prohibits releasing the traveler’s name since he was not criminally charged.

CBP routinely conducts inspection operations on arriving and departing international flights and intercepts narcotics, weapons, currency, prohibited agriculture products, and other illicit items. On a typical day during 2015, CBP seized $356,396 in undeclared or illicit currency at our nation’s 328 ports of entry. View CBP Snapshot to learn what else CBP achieved ‘On a Typical Day’ last year.

Learn more about how CBP's Office of Field Operations secures our nation's borders at our nation’s Ports of Entry.

CBP’s Travel website offers rules and tips for clearing CBP inspection during travel to and from the U.S.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021