Do I have to declare currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 at United States customs?

Yes — it has to be declared to United States customs on arrival.

What happens if I do not declare currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 in United States?

Under 1010.830, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated. Under 1010.821: an administrative fine of 71,545 USD is imposed. Under 1010.840, if it is treated as smuggling: it carries between 0 and 5 years of imprisonment.

Can I post or ship currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 to United States instead of carrying it?

Yes, and the allowance applies to the consignment as well as to accompanied baggage. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Can I take currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 out of United States?

Yes, but it has to be declared on the way out once it reaches .

Does the United States limit for currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 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?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in 31 CFR 1010.340 -- Reports of transportation of currency or monetary instruments.. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does United States compare with other countries on currency and monetary instruments over $10,000?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit currency and monetary instruments over $10,000, 20 limit it and 0 let it through. United States is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 can I bring into United States?

Declare

You can bring Currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 into United States, but you must declare it.

Extra conditions apply

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Required

Limit 10,000 USD

What you need to know

No stated quantity
Value cap: 10,000 USD
Channels: Carried with the traveler, Post or courier
Extra conditions apply
No stated quantity
Value cap: 10,000 USD
Channels: Carried with the traveler, Post or courier
Extra conditions apply

Important

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

If you do not declare

Step 1: Confiscation
Step 2: Administrative fine
Step 3: Criminal prosecution

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

31 CFR 1010.340 -- Reports of transportation of currency or monetary instruments. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Office of the Federal Register (eCFR)
31 CFR 1010.306 - Filing of reports Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)

Questions about Currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 in United States

How much currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 can I bring into United States?: United States allows currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 to be brought in, but it has to be declared once it reaches 10,000 USD. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 at United States customs?: Yes — it has to be declared to United States customs on arrival.
What happens if I do not declare currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 in United States?: Under 1010.830, if the goods are found without being declared: the goods are confiscated. Under 1010.821: an administrative fine of 71,545 USD is imposed. Under 1010.840, if it is treated as smuggling: it carries between 0 and 5 years of imprisonment.
Can I post or ship currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 to United States instead of carrying it?: Yes, and the allowance applies to the consignment as well as to accompanied baggage. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Can I take currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 out of United States?: Yes, but it has to be declared on the way out once it reaches .
Does the United States limit for currency and monetary instruments over $10,000 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?: U.S. Customs and Border Protection states it in 31 CFR 1010.340 -- Reports of transportation of currency or monetary instruments.. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does United States compare with other countries on currency and monetary instruments over $10,000?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit currency and monetary instruments over $10,000, 20 limit it and 0 let it through. United States 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

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

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