STERLING: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO), at Washington Dulles International Airport seized over $27,000 Tuesday from an outbound traveler for violating federal currency reporting regulations.
There is no limit to how much currency travelers can import or export; however federal law requires travelers to report to CBP amounts exceeding $10,000 in U.S. dollars or equivalent foreign currency.
A man was boarding a flight to France and was selected for questioning by CBP officers who were conducting an outbound international flight enforcement operation. The man reported possessing $6,000 and completed a financial reporting form stating that amount, however; a total of $27,237 was discovered on his person and in his luggage. CBP officers seized the $27,237, returning $500 to the traveler for humanitarian relief, and advised him how to petition for the return of the rest of the currency.
This is CBP’s second currency seizure in two days at Washington Dulles. On Monday, CBP officers seized $45,912.02 from a family departing to Austria for also failing to truthfully report all currency in their possession.
“Travelers who refuse to comply with federal currency reporting requirements run the risk of having their currency seized, and may potentially face criminal charges,” said Patrick Orender, CBP Assistant Port Director for the Port of Washington Dulles. “The travelers were given the opportunity to truthfully report their currency. The easiest way to hold on to your money is to report it.”
In addition to currency enforcement, CBP routinely conducts inspection operations on arriving and departing international flights and intercepts narcotics, weapons, prohibited agriculture products, and other illicit items.
