When traveling internationally, customs officials may require individuals to declare any cash or monetary instruments over a certain threshold amount. In the United States, the cash reporting limit is $10,000 for all persons entering or leaving the country. But does this $10,000 limit apply per person, or per family? Here’s a closer look at the cash reporting requirements and how they are applied.
Customs Declaration Form 6059B
All persons entering the U.S. are required to complete a Customs Declaration Form 6059B. On this form, you must declare:
- Any cash or monetary instruments over $10,000
- Any goods that will remain in the U.S.
Cash or monetary instruments include:
- U.S. and foreign currency
- Traveler’s checks
- Money orders
- Stock certificates
If you are carrying over $10,000 in cash or monetary instruments, you must report it on the form. Failure to report can result in the cash being seized and civil or criminal penalties.
$10,000 Limit Per Person
The important thing to understand is that the $10,000 reporting limit applies to each individual person entering or leaving the U.S. It does not apply per family.
For example, if a family of four is traveling together and each person is carrying $5,000 cash, they do not need to report it. Even though the family collectively has $20,000 cash, no individual person is carrying over $10,000.
However, if one person in the family is carrying $15,000 cash, they would need to report it on the form. The other family members would still not need to report their cash if under $10,000 each.
Example Scenarios
Here are some examples to illustrate how the $10,000 cash limit applies per person:
| Scenario | Cash Carried | Reporting Required? |
|---|---|---|
| A husband and wife traveling together, husband has $5,000 cash, wife has $8,000 cash | $5,000, $8,000 | No – Neither exceeds $10,000 |
| A family of 5, each person carrying $6,000 cash | $6,000 each | No – No individual exceeds $10,000 |
| A group of 3 friends, one friend has $15,000 cash | $15,000, under $10,000, under $10,000 | Yes – The friend with $15,000 must report it |
As the examples show, only individuals carrying over $10,000 in cash need to report it, regardless of how much others in their family or group are carrying.
Consequences of Not Reporting
There are serious consequences if you are caught trying to bring over $10,000 cash into the U.S. without reporting it. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), these include:
- Civil penalties – Failure to report can result in seizure of the cash and other monetary instruments, as well as a civil penalty equal to the amount being transported. For example, if you try to smuggle in $15,000 cash without reporting it, CBP could seize the $15,000 and fine you an additional $15,000.
- Criminal prosecution – In some cases, failing to report over $10,000 cash can result in criminal prosecution. This may include fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of the money.
- Additional scrutiny – Travelers who fail to report over $10,000 cash may be subjected to additional inspections and interviews each time they enter the U.S. in the future.
In short, it’s not worth trying to hide cash over the $10,000 limit. Even if it’s discovered later, you can still face penalties. It’s best to properly report any amount over $10,000 to avoid any issues.
Reporting Requirements for Other Countries
While this article focuses on the U.S. $10,000 cash reporting limit, other countries have their own requirements for declaring cash and monetary instruments when traveling internationally. For example:
| Country | Cash Reporting Limit |
|---|---|
| Canada | CAD $10,000 |
| Mexico | USD $10,000 |
| United Kingdom | GBP £10,000 |
| European Union | EUR €10,000 |
| Australia | AUD $10,000 |
Be sure to check the reporting requirements for any country you are traveling to or from. Many have cash limits similar to the U.S., around $10,000 or equivalent in their own currency. However, the exact amount can vary.
Conclusion
In summary, the $10,000 cash reporting limit enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection applies per person, not per family. Each individual traveling internationally must report if they are carrying over $10,000 in cash or monetary instruments. Failure to report can result in civil or criminal penalties, including seizure of the money and fines.
To avoid any issues when traveling internationally, be sure you are aware of the reporting requirements for both the U.S. and any other countries involved in your travels. Although it may seem innocuous, failing to properly declare cash over the limit can have serious repercussions.