$36K In Unreported Currency Seized At Philly Airport: US Customs

PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly $37,000 in unreported currency recently at the Philadelphia International Airport.

According to federal authorities, the seizure was made Sunday.

A Columbus, Ohio man's belongings were randomly selected for a secondary examination after he arrived in Philadelphia from Beirut, Lebanon through Paris, France.

During that examination, the traveler acknowledged that he understood the United States currency reporting law and then declared verbally and in writing that he possessed $15,000.

Officers conducted a baggage examination and in total counted $36,834 in the traveler’s possession. Officers seized the $36,834 for violating currency reporting laws. They then remitted $834 to the man as a humanitarian relief and released him to continue his travel.

The man was not charged, authorities said.

There is no limit to how much currency or other monetary instruments travelers may bring to or take out of the United States. However, federal law requires travelers to report all currency of $10,000 or greater to a CBP officer and complete U.S. Treasury Department Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments. Travelers can get an early start on reporting their currency by completing a guided FINCEN 105 form on CBP’s website prior to a CBP arrivals inspection or departure inspections.

"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 percent honest with us," Adam Streetman, CBP’s Acting Area Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia, said. "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."

In addition to having their currency seized, travelers risk other consequences, such as missing their departure or connecting flight, interrupting vacation plans, or facing potential criminal prosecution.

CBP officers know that smuggled currency may sometimes be the proceeds of illegal activity, such as financial fraud and money scams, and so officers routinely inspect passengers on arriving and departing international flights to verify compliance with currency and other laws.

Officers and agents seized an average of about $183,000 in unreported or illicit currency every day last year at our nation’s international ports of entry and along our nation’s borders.