Do I have to declare cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments at Australia customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to Australia customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments in Australia?

Under Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006, if it is treated as smuggling: the case is referred to the responsible authority; it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.

Can I post or ship cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments to Australia instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Where does this rule come from?

Australian Border Force (ABF) states it in Importing precious metals, coins, jewellery and currency. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Under the AML/CTF Act, you must report all movements of monetary instruments in Australian and foreign currency with a combined value of AUD10,000 or more.”

How does Australia compare with other countries on cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments, 20 limit it and 0 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments can I bring into Australia?

Declare

You can bring Cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments into Australia, but you must declare it.

Carried Allowed, declare

Declaration Required

Limit No stated quantity

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Importing precious metals, coins, jewellery and currency Australian Border Force

Questions about Cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments in Australia

Do I have to declare cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments at Australia customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to Australia customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments in Australia?: Under Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006, if it is treated as smuggling: the case is referred to the responsible authority; it is prosecuted as a criminal offence.
Can I post or ship cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments to Australia instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Can I take cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments out of Australia?: Australia publishes no separate rule for taking cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Australia limit for cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Australian Border Force (ABF) states it in Importing precious metals, coins, jewellery and currency. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Under the AML/CTF Act, you must report all movements of monetary instruments in Australian and foreign currency with a combined value of AUD10,000 or more.”
How does Australia compare with other countries on cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cash and foreign-exchange payment instruments, 20 limit it and 0 let it through. Australia is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Canada China France Germany

Other items in this group

Accompanied cash Cash and bearer negotiable instruments (all currencies) Cross-border movement of monetary instruments (cash and bearer negotiable instruments) Currency and monetary instruments (CAN$10,000 reporting) Currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 Foreign currency cash