Nearly $100,000 in Unreported Currency Seized from Travelers at Dulles Airport

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Washington Dulles International Airport successfully intercepted a significant amount of undeclared currency over the recent Memorial Day weekend. The seizures, totaling $99,443, were made from two separate groups of international travelers attempting to depart the United States. These incidents highlight the importance of adhering to federal regulations regarding the declaration of currency when traveling abroad.

The first seizure occurred on Saturday, May 23, when CBP’s currency detector dog, Vito, alerted officers to a U.S. citizen man traveling with his family. The group was preparing to board a flight bound for Brussels, Belgium. When questioned about the amount of currency they were carrying, the man initially reported that he and his wife each possessed $7,000, for a total of $14,000. After being informed about the currency reporting laws, he verbally and in writing amended his declaration to a combined total of $20,000. During the subsequent inspection, officers discovered additional funds concealed within a small purse, and further currency was found in the man’s pants pockets, leading to a total seizure of $46,520.

The following day, CBP officers stopped a U.S. citizen female and her mother, who was a citizen of Cameroon, from boarding a flight also destined for Brussels. The pair initially declared a combined total of $15,000. However, after being briefed on the reporting requirements, the daughter completed a U.S. Treasury Department currency reporting form, stating they had $22,361. A further inspection of their luggage uncovered more currency, which had been stitched into women’s undergarments. In total, CBP officers seized $52,923 from this traveling party. While the currency was confiscated in both instances, the travelers were released without criminal charges.

These seizures underscore the CBP’s ongoing efforts to combat bulk currency smuggling, which can be linked to illicit activities such as financial fraud, scams, drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, and human trafficking. Federal law requires that any person traveling into or out of the United States declare currency or monetary instruments totaling $10,000 or more. This declaration is made on a U.S. Treasury Department form, FinCEN 105. The purpose of this reporting requirement is not to tax the currency, but rather to help authorities detect and deter illegal financial transactions.

Travelers are permitted to carry any amount of currency they wish, but failing to accurately report amounts exceeding $10,000 can lead to significant consequences. These can include the seizure of the undeclared currency, potential criminal prosecution, and missing scheduled flights due to the examination process. CBP has made efforts to simplify the reporting process, offering an online portal at https://fincen105.cbp.dhs.gov for travelers to complete and submit the FinCEN 105 form in advance. Additionally, travelers can request assistance from CBP officers at their departure gate if they need help completing the form. The agency reports seizing an average of $182,465 in unreported or illicit currency daily across the nation’s borders during fiscal year 2025.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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