It happens constantly: a traveler is stopped at a U.S. airport on the way out of the country, CBP seizes their cash for a reporting violation, and days later they are back home — in Lagos, Manila, Dhaka, or Amman — wondering whether anything can still be done about the money. The answer is yes. You do not have to be in the United States to fight a CBP seizure. Here is how it works from abroad.
The Common Scenario
Many currency seizures happen to people who are leaving the country, not entering it. A foreign national or a U.S. citizen living overseas carries more than $10,000, does not file the required FinCEN Form 105, and CBP seizes it under the currency reporting laws (31 U.S.C. 5316 and 5317). The traveler continues on to their home country, and the cash stays behind in CBP custody. From thousands of miles away, it can feel impossible to recover. It is not.
You Do Not Need to Be in the U.S.
The process for recovering seized currency is administrative and handled on paper, so your physical location does not control whether you can pursue it. An attorney can represent you before the Fines, Penalties & Forfeitures office, file the petition, and communicate with CBP on your behalf while you remain overseas. Our guide on how to get seized cash back from CBP walks through the mechanics, all of which can be handled remotely.
How Representation Works From Overseas
Engaging a lawyer from abroad is routine. Documents are signed and exchanged electronically, consultations happen by phone, WhatsApp, or video, and the attorney handles the U.S.-side filing and correspondence. Because a customs practice operates nationally and communicates across time zones as a matter of course, being on another continent changes little about the representation itself.
The Deadline Problem for Overseas Travelers
The biggest risk for someone abroad is time. CBP mails the seizure notice, and international mail is slow and unreliable — the notice may arrive late, to an old address, or not at all, while the clock on your response has already started. Missing the window can push the case toward forfeiture. That is why travelers overseas should not wait for the paperwork to catch up with them; it is far safer to get ahead of it. And whatever you do, resist the urge to call CBP yourself to explain — our note on why you should remain silent after a currency seizure explains why.
What to Do From Abroad
Gather whatever documentation you have — any receipt or custody form CBP gave you, your travel details, and proof of where the money came from — and get a customs attorney involved before the deadline runs. A dedicated customs and international trade lawyer can take it from there, regardless of which country you are in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover seized cash if I have already left the United States?
Yes. The recovery process is administrative and handled on paper, so an attorney can pursue it on your behalf while you remain in your home country. You generally do not need to return to the U.S.
What if I never received the seizure notice?
This is common for travelers abroad, because CBP mails the notice and international delivery is unreliable. Do not wait for it. An attorney can often confirm the status of your case and protect your deadlines even if the paperwork has not reached you.
Cash seized before you left the country?
We represent travelers worldwide from our U.S. offices. Reach us by WhatsApp, text, phone, or the contact form — wherever you are, and before the deadline runs.