What Does This Notice Mean?

When traveling to the U.S. and transporting more than $10,000, you must declare the exact amount of “monetary currency” you are transporting to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. “Monetary instruments” include:

• U.S. or foreign coins and currency;
• Travelers checks (in any form);
• Negotiable Instruments (including checks, promissory notes, and money orders – in a transferable form);
• Incomplete instruments (checks, promissory notes, and money orders) that are signed with a payees name omitted;
• Securities or stock in bearer form (in a transferable form)

There are no customs duties, taxes or other fees paid to U.S. Customs for the international transportation of the money; it is merely a reporting requirement to U.S. Customs using Declaration Form 6059B.

Many times, the rationale for seizure is that parties traveling together split their currency. Travelers will advise CBP that they are each carrying less than the $10,000 minimum requirement for reporting. When in fact, together they have over the $10,000 minimum, typically resulting in ALL of the currency on hand being seized. CBP issued a final rule, “to broaden the definition of “members of a family residing in one household” to more accurately reflect relationships for U.S. citizens, residents and international visitors who are traveling together as a family.” If you meet the definition of a family you cannot split currency.