PHILADELPHIA – Amid the busy summer travel season, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) emphasizes the importance of honesty during inspections to save time and money. A Columbus, Ohio man experienced this firsthand on Sunday at Philadelphia International Airport.
Upon arrival from Beirut, Lebanon via Paris, France, the U.S. citizen was randomly selected for a secondary examination. During the inspection, he acknowledged understanding the U.S. currency reporting law and declared that he was carrying $15,000 both verbally and in writing.
While there is no limit to the amount of currency travelers can bring into or take out of the United States, federal law [31 USC 5316] requires reporting any amount of $10,000 or more to a CBP officer and completing the U.S. Treasury Department’s Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments (FINCEN 105). Travelers can expedite this process by filling out the form online before arriving or departing.
During the examination, CBP officers discovered a total of $36,834 in the traveler’s possession, which was seized for violating currency reporting laws. The traveler was allowed to retain $834 for humanitarian relief and was released to continue his journey.
CBP did not disclose the traveler’s name as he was not criminally charged.
“Customs and Border Protection officers always allow travelers multiple opportunities to truthfully report all of the currency in their possession, and most people are 100% honest with us,” said Adam Streetman, CBP’s Acting Area Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia. “But sometimes we encounter travelers who disregard our nation’s laws and get to experience how severe the consequences can be. The easiest way to keep your money is to truthfully report it all to a CBP officer.”
Failure to report currency can lead to significant consequences, including seizure of funds, delays in travel, interrupted vacation plans, or potential criminal prosecution. CBP officers routinely inspect passengers on international flights to ensure compliance with currency and other laws, as unreported money may be linked to illegal activities such as financial fraud and money scams.
In 2023, CBP officers and agents seized an average of about $183,000 in unreported or illicit currency daily at international ports of entry and borders.
For a smooth travel experience, CBP advises travelers to review their Top-10 Travel Tips and familiarize themselves with items prohibited or restricted from entering the United States.
CBP’s mission at Ports of Entry is carried out by officers and agriculture specialists from the Office of Field Operations, who screen international travelers and cargo to detect illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit goods, prohibited agriculture, invasive pests, and other potentially harmful items.–News Desk