PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized $27,427 from a Canadian woman for violating federal currency reporting regulations Sept. 21 at Philadelphia International Airport.
The woman, whose name is not being released because she was not criminally charged, arrived from Madrid, Spain en route to Canada. The woman reported multiple times, verbally and in writing, that she possessed 8,000 Euros. During a baggage examination, CBP officers discovered 20,975 Euros ($26,911 U.S. equivalency), 270 Canadian dollars ($246 U.S. equivalency) and $516 in U.S. dollars for a combined $27,673 in equivalent U.S. dollars.
CBP seized $27,427 and returned the Canadian currency to the woman for humanitarian purposes.
There is no limit to how much currency travelers may bring to, or take from the U.S.; 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.
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers permitted this traveler multiple opportunities to truthfully report all currency in her possession. Hopefully, this is a lesson to all travelers that the easiest way to hold on to their currency is to truthfully report it all to a CBP officer,” said Susan Stranieri, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia.
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.
Please visit the Travel section of the CBP website to learn rules governing travel to and from the U.S.