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How Much Cash Can You Fly With? A Timely Guide to International Currency Restrictions

By Author Chhavi Agarwal

When traveling on a domestic flight within the United States, there are no limits to how much cash you can carry.

A large wad of cash may attract questions from the Transport Security Administration (TSA) at the passenger screening area, but a quick proof of ownership may be sufficient to let you off the legal hook.

If you are wondering how much cash can you fly with for international travel, we have you covered.  

An estimated 99 million international air traffic passengers traveled to or from the United States in 2021, with another 102 Million enplaned in 2022.

Knowing how much cash you can fly with is crucial to avoid currency seizure or criminal charges, which may include a 10-year prison term and up to $500,000 in fines, according to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidelines. 

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Table Of Contents
  1. Cash Limits for Air Travel: How Much Cash Can You Fly With?
  2. Why Your Travel Destination May Be Important 
  3. US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and their Minor Differences
  4. In Mexico, Heavy Fine Is the Least Punishment You Can Get
  5. What's It Like in Japan?
  6. How Much Cash Can You Fly With to China
  7. Valuable Tips When Preparing To Carry Cash on International Flight
  8. Currency Declaration and Reporting Requirements
  9. Safety Concerns When Flying With Cash Into a New Country

Cash Limits for Air Travel: How Much Cash Can You Fly With?

Each country you visit has regulations regarding how much cash travelers can bring in and take out.

There are no restrictions if you are coming in or going out of the United States, but you must declare how much cash you are flying with to the CBP if it exceeds $10,000 in cash.

You must file a FINCEN Form 105 with the US Borders and Customs Service and fully declare how much money you have on the move. 

Why Your Travel Destination May Be Important 

Single Market Economy reports that Canada and Mexico are the top destinations for US resident travelers, followed by the United Kingdom, Italy, and France.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics also reports that Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan, and China, in that order, top the ranks of nationalities that have traveled to the US. 

A cross-section of inbound and outbound flights from and to the United States shows that European countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy, and France share the most travelers after North American countries of Canada and Mexico. 

Japan and China are the countries outside North America and the European Union with the most travelers to the United States.

Despite the frequency of flights and hundreds of millions of boarders traveling between the US and these countries, the currency limitation regulations, although similar, are not the same.

US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and their Minor Differences

As stated earlier, traveling into or out of the United States requires you not to exceed $10,000 in cash without informing the CBP.

For travelers going in and out of Canada, the amount carried in cash can only equal or exceed $10000 if you have to declare to the authorities how much cash you have. 

The Canada Border Services Agency’s directive clearly states that Canada’s currency regulation applies to travelers and couriers and even to persons transferring cash on behalf of others.

Seizure of cash, forfeiture, and other liable penalties may depend on the peculiarities of the scenarios. 

In Mexico, Heavy Fine Is the Least Punishment You Can Get

As a traveler in and out of Mexico, the amount of cash you can fly with cannot equal or exceed $10000, just like in Canada.

The Mexicanist reports that if the amount exceeds 30,000 USD, the penalty could range from 3 months to 6 years in prison with the forfeiture of all seized cash.

Fines from 20 to 40% of cash above the limit are the least severe punishment offenders can get.

The European Union, which houses France and Italy, has similar regulations. Travelers entering the EU must declare cash equalling or exceeding 10000 Euros.

The benchmark is 10000 pounds for travelers in and out of the United Kingdom.

What’s It Like in Japan?

Japan Customs pegs the maximum amount of money you can fly with when coming into Japan or out of it at a million yen per traveler or a group of travelers, equivalent to about 9000 USD.

 If you are traveling with excesses of a million yen, you are expected to pick up the ‘The Declaration Of Carrying of Means of Payment’ form from the customs desk. 

 A further restriction exists for travelers exiting Japan to North Korea who can only depart with cash of 100000 Japanese Yen or its currency equivalent.

How Much Cash Can You Fly With to China

Unlike most Western countries with similar regulations, China, although a top 5 country with an inbound flight to the US, has stricter limits on the amount of cash travelers can fly with without declaring to customs.

20000 RMB, equivalent to $5000, is the maximum amount of cash anyone can move with when traveling in and out of China. 

This declaration is binding to both foreigners and Chinese nationals. Cash up to $10000 to be taken out of China will require a ‘Permit for Taking Foreign Currency out of the Customs Territory.’ 

This document has to be issued by a bank in China, a deviation from the norms in the West, where declaration documents of any amount of cash can often be obtained from the customs desk.

If you are flying out of China with cash that exceeds US$10,000, you must show a legal warrant issued by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. 

The cash limit you can fly with when leaving China for the second time in 15 Days cannot exceed $1000.

If you leave China for the second time in a day, the permissible limit you can fly with cannot exceed $500.

Valuable Tips When Preparing To Carry Cash on International Flight

  • Before you fly, you must prepare to avoid hiccups while in transit. Your first step is to research the currency of the country you want to visit. This will help you understand how much cash you can carry and the regulations of your destination country. 
  • When asked how much cash you are flying with at the airport, there is no substitute for telling the truth, as lying could get you in trouble. Lying, even when you haven’t broken the law, may cause authorities to question the source of your cash, even if it is within acceptable limits.
  • Suspicion is often the precursor to questioning. If authorities feel that you are clumsy or hiding something in your luggage, they may ask that you step aside for interrogation. If your luggage must be searched, it is within your right to insist it is in sight. This would help you avoid theft or the possibility of losing any of the items you are traveling with when the luggage is being repacked. 

Currency Declaration and Reporting Requirements

If you carry more than the current limit for the country you visit, you must declare it to the customs officials.

As stated earlier, failure to report your cash worth can result in confiscation, fines, or imprisonment.

When you arrive at the airport, you may have to fill out a customs declaration form on which you are expected to divulge how much cash you are flying with. 

Some instances may require that you provide additional documentation, such as bank statements, evidence of employment, tax forms, or receipts as proof of cash source. 

Safety Concerns When Flying With Cash Into a New Country

Carrying cash on an international flight can be nerve-wracking, but there are ways to do it safely and securely.

A money belt or a hidden pocket can be a secure space; you may also split your cash if you carry large amounts.

Splitting your cash may also give you the backup you need if some of your cash gets stolen or lost. 

Even when you carry a large amount of cash legally, you may still experience difficulties keeping it safe in the airport and when you reach your destination.

Taking too much cash can make you a target of theft or make managing your money difficult when traveling.

If possible, try to keep your money in a bank account that you can access easily to avoid any issues. 

You may need help budgeting for goods and services when you lack knowledge about the exchange rates and value of the currency you are traveling with when paired with that of your new destination. 

For example, the cost of taking an UberX when traveling to Bern in Switzerland is estimated at $42.80 per 10km, a percentile hike of approximately 15%, even for each of the top 10 priciest US states, including New York, which pays less than $35 for 10km. 

Knowing how much cash you can fly with can be challenging for different countries, but with the right preparations and knowledge of currency restrictions, you can do it safely and legally.

Ensure you research the regulations around how much cash you can fly with to your chosen destination.

Remember, the legality of the cash you carry does not guarantee its safety, so you must use secure ways to protect your cash against theft and fleecing.

When asking how much cash can you fly with, you should know the current currency exchange rates.

This can help you understand how much cash you need and save you from paying too much for goods and services on foreign soil. 

This article originally appeared on Savoteur.

Samuel is a seasoned writer with a strong background in tech and finance. He has a knack for producing content that educates, informs and inspires readers. His deep understanding of latest advancements and trends in tech, finance and travel equips him to create contents that resonate with diverse audience. He is invested in reducing the number of out of school children by encouraging the acquisition and mastery of on-demand skills in places where formal education is out of reach.