Category: Petition

CBP Seizes $14K at Dulles Airport

This customs cash seizure story at Dulles airport says the person who was traveling to Switzerland “reported possessing slightly less than $10,000”. That is suspcicious to CBP right there. If you tell CBP you’re carrying $9,800, customs will already suspect you because the amount is so close to $10,000.

It tells them that you know about the $10,000 reporting limit.

It also, of itself, may give rise to currency seizure for “structuring” because to transport an amount less than $10,000 for the purpose of evading the report requirement is illegal. So if you are only traveling with $9,800, but you tell Customs (or they have cause to believe) that you did not take more than $10,000 with you because you did not want to file a report…. you’re cash can be seized.

This story is below (original here):

Customs Seizure of $13,919 at Dulles Airport.
Customs Seizure of $13,919 at Dulles Airport. Traveling with cash over $10,000 must be reported to CBP.

A woman was boarding a flight to Switzerland and was selected for questioning by CBP officers who were conducting an outbound international flight enforcement operation. The woman reported possessing slightly less than $10,000 and completed a financial reporting form stating that, however; a total of $13,919 was discovered on her person and in her luggage. CBP officers seized the $13,919 and advised her how to petition for the return of the currency.

ā€œTravelers who refuse to comply with federal currency reporting requirements run the risk of having their currency seized, and may potentially face criminal charges,ā€ said Wayne Biondi, CBP Area Port Director for the Port of Washington Dulles. ā€œThe travelers were given the opportunity to truthfully report their currency. The easiest way to hold on to your money is to report it.ā€

If you have had currency seized from Customs do not try to respond yourself but hire our firm, becauseĀ we know what we are doingĀ and haveĀ successfully handled many cases like yours.Ā If you have questions,Ā please give us a callĀ at (734) 855-4999.Ā We are able to assist with cash seized by customs around the country, including Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Orlando and many other places, and not just locally in Detroit. Please read these other articles:

  1. Seizure of currency and monetary instruments by U.S. Customs
  2. Seizure for bulk cash smuggling into or out of the U.S.
  3. Structuring currency imports and exports
  4. Is it $10,000 per person? Ā Under what circumstances is filing a report with Customs for transporting more than $10,000 required?
  5. Criminal & civil penalties for failing to report monetary instrument transportation
  6. Is only cash currency subject to seizure by Customs?
  7. Responding to a Customs currency seizure
  8. How do I get my seized money back?
  9. Getting money seized by U.S. Customs back while staying overseas
  10. How long does it take Customs to decide a petition for a currency/monetary instrument seizure?
  11. Statute of Limitations for Currency Reporting Violations
  12. Filing a Petition for Seized Currency (with Sample and Tips) with CBP
  13. Don’t TalkĀ About Your Customs Currency Seizure Case