ORLANDO, Fla. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Florida reminds travelers of the requirement to report currency amounts of $10,000 or more to CBP when traveling to or from the United States. CBP officers seized over $72,000 in unreported currency from a traveler at Orlando International Airport (MCO) for failing to declare this week.
The individual initially said they possessed $15,000 to CBP officers and further misstated the amount as $51,000 in writing. CBP officers subsequently discovered bundles of cash inside a backpack.
International travelers who arrive or depart the United States in possession of more than $10,000 or equivalent foreign currency are required to report all currency to CBP officers and complete a Treasury Department Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) form.
Consequences for violating U.S. currency reporting laws are severe and may result in seizure of the currency and/or arrest.
“Travelers are given multiple opportunities to make a truthful declaration and must comply with currency reporting regulations and all U.S. laws,” said CBP Orlando Area Port Director Gaetano Cordone. “CBP officers are steadfastly committed to enforcing federal currency reporting laws and over 400 laws on behalf of over 40 other U.S. Government agencies.”
In addition to financial enforcement, CBP routinely conducts inspection operations on arriving and departing international flights and intercepts narcotics, weapons, prohibited agriculture products and illicit items. On a typical day, CBP seizes an average of about $290,000 in unreported or illicit currency nationwide.
CBP’s Office of Field Operations in Florida includes more than 2,700 front-line federal officers, agricultural specialists, trade and mission support personnel securing over 1,200 miles of the coastal border and providing international travel and trade facilitation.
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