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  4. CBP Seizes $52K in Unreported Currency at Washington Dulles International Airport

CBP Seizes $52K in Unreported Currency at Washington Dulles International Airport

Release Date
Mon, 11/14/2016

STERLING, Va. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO), at Washington Dulles International Airport seized over $52,000 from a Ghana-bound U.S. citizen on Thursday for violating federal currency reporting regulations.

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 man declared, both verbally and in writing, to CBP officers that he possessed $40,000; however, CBP officers discovered a total of $52,156 on his person and in his luggage.  The officers seized the $52,156 and advised him how to petition for the return of the currency.  The traveler was then released to continue his journey.

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

CBP officers enforce more than 400 laws at U.S. ports of entry, including currency reporting requirements.
CBP officers enforce more than 400 laws
at U.S. ports of entry, including currency
reporting.

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 borders at our nation’s Ports of Entry.

CBP’s Travel section offers rules and tips for clearing CBP inspection during travel to and from the United States.

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