George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Houston’s other ports of entry see a high volume of international travel connecting the United States to Latin America, Europe, and beyond. CBP officers at Houston enforce federal currency reporting requirements on both arriving and departing international travelers, and cash seizures at IAH are routine. Cases involving travelers carrying significant unreported currency — including amounts over $100,000 — have been documented at Bush Intercontinental. If CBP seized your cash at Houston’s airport or at another port in the Houston area, you need experienced legal representation immediately.
Do not call CBP to explain yourself. Do not write a letter without a lawyer. What you say and how your case is formally presented will determine whether you recover your money.
Houston’s Currency Enforcement Environment
Houston is a major international hub with direct routes to dozens of countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and elsewhere. George Bush Intercontinental handles a substantial volume of international passenger traffic, and CBP officers there are active in enforcing currency reporting requirements in both directions. Houston also has the Port of Houston — one of the busiest cargo ports in the country — where CBP conducts outbound and inbound enforcement operations on cargo as well as passengers.
As in other major metropolitan ports, multiple federal agencies can be involved in currency seizures at Houston, including CBP, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations. The agency that seized your money may affect the procedural path for contesting it.
Common Reasons CBP Seizes Cash at Houston
Under 31 U.S.C. § 5316, anyone traveling internationally with more than $10,000 in currency or monetary instruments must file a FinCEN 105 form with CBP at the time of arrival or departure. There is no tax and no limit on the amount you can carry — the requirement is only to report it. The most common violations at Houston include:
- Failure to report — Not filing a FinCEN 105, or declaring an amount less than what was actually carried. Reporting the correct amount to the penny is required.
- Bulk cash smuggling — Currency concealed in luggage, on the person, or in cargo with intent to evade the reporting requirement.
- Structuring — Dividing funds among traveling companions to keep individual amounts below $10,000. A traveling couple, family, or group is treated as a single unit by CBP.
- Suspected unlawful activity — DEA and HSI may seize cash on suspicion of drug proceeds even without a technical reporting violation.
What Happens After a Houston Cash Seizure
At the time of seizure, CBP will issue a Custody Receipt for Seized Property. Within 60 days, the Fines, Penalties and Forfeitures office will send a Notice of Seizure and Information to Claimants along with the Election of Proceedings form. Your three options are:
- Administrative Petition for Remission or Mitigation — An internal CBP review requesting full or partial return of the funds.
- CAFRA Seized Asset Claim — A formal challenge demanding federal court action and shifting the burden of proof to the government.
- Offer in Compromise — A proposed settlement for partial recovery.
Read our guide to the Election of Proceedings form and our analysis of which option is best.
Act Before the Deadline
You generally have 30 days from the date of the Notice of Seizure to respond. Miss that deadline and CBP can proceed with administrative forfeiture — permanently, without court review. Do not contact CBP without an attorney. Read our guide on why you must remain silent.
What Evidence Will You Need
You must demonstrate that the money had a legitimate source and a lawful intended purpose. Typical documentation includes bank records and withdrawal history, tax returns, business records or contracts, purchase agreements, and statements from employers or business partners. Read our full guide to evidence and documentation.
Our Results at Houston and Nationwide
Great Lakes Customs Law has represented clients with currency seizures at Houston and at ports of entry across the country. Jason Wapiennik has handled more than 700 currency seizure cases and recovered more than $11 million for clients nationwide. You do not need a Houston-based attorney — you need the right customs attorney.
See our currency seizure case results.
Get a Free Consultation Today
If CBP seized your cash at George Bush Intercontinental, William P. Hobby Airport, the Port of Houston, or any other Houston-area port of entry, contact us now for a free currency seizure consultation.
Read our full CBP Money Seizure Lawyer’s Guide or reach out using the contact options on this page.