STERLING, Va. – US Customs and Border Protection officers say they have seized more than $227,000 from travelers flying from Washington Dulles International Airport to Africa and Asia since mid-September.
The most recent seizure was the largest when officers seized $101,825 from a couple heading to Lagos, Nigeria on Saturday. Authorities say the two were US citizens and declared $19,600 before a luggage search revealed additional envelopes of money. The money was seized and the couple was released.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Also on Saturday, officers seized $13,332 in undeclared currency from a legal permanent resident of the US who was en route to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Authorities say only $2,700 was reported and the additional coin was found during a luggage search.
On October 1, officers seized $82,560 in undeclared currency from a US traveler who attempted to board a flight to Accra, Ghana. On September 17, officials say they seized $29,822 in undeclared currency from an American father and daughter who were boarding a flight to Doha, Qatar. Authorities say a currency detection dog alerted them to the bulk currency in the two seizures.
Authorities say the total amount of undeclared currency seized was $227,539.
The names of the travelers were not released because none were criminally charged.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
“The most important lesson for international travelers to understand is that they can travel with any amount of money they want, but they must honestly report everything to a CBP officer. It’s that simple,” said Kim Der-Yeghiayan, Acting Area of CBP. Port Director of the Washington, DC Port Area in a statement.
US Customs and Border Protection officials say there is no limit to the amount of money travelers can bring into or take out of the United States.
However, federal law requires travelers to report all currency of $10,000 or more to officials and complete the US Department of the Treasury Report on International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments.
Authorities say risks include missed flights and currency seizure.
In 2021, officers and agents say they seized an average of about $342,000 in illicit or unreported currency every day.
