CBP Confiscates $27K in Cash Dulles Airport

U.S. customs officers Dulles Airport recently more than $25,000 from the traveler attempting to leave the country to visit France. This is the third in a series of recently reported airport currency seizures by customs at this airport. A key difference between this and the most recent story is that the traveler did not report anything over $10,000, but only reported $6,000.

You can read the full story here. The details are below:

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.”

I know it is sometimes true that truthfully reporting money is the easiest way to keep it, but I am also sure that it is not always true. I know many clients had opportunities to report transporting more than $10,000 in money but there are who are subjected to “zealous enforcement” and asked trick questions without sufficient opportunity to make, or amend, a report. Sometimes the philosophy of some Customs officers is to “seize first, ask questions later.”

If you have had currency seized from Customs do not try to respond yourself but hire our firm, because we know what we are doing and have successfully handled many cases like yours. If you have questions, please give us a call at (734) 855-4999. 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:

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