CBP’s Dallas-Fort Worth Field Office has published two formal notices of seizure and intent to forfeit for currency violations at DFW Airport in recent months, and the Director of Field Operations for Houston — whose jurisdiction includes DFW — has been actively publicizing enforcement actions on social media. The pattern is consistent with what we see at other major airports: active, visible currency enforcement with regular public announcements intended as a deterrent.
Recent DFW Currency Seizures: What the Notices Show
The September 12, 2025 Notice of Seizure and Intent to Forfeit published by CBP includes two DFW cases worth examining closely — not just for the amounts, but for the statutes cited, which tell you something about how CBP classified each violation.
- Case No. 2025550100164801 — $19,000 seized on July 6, 2025. CBP cited 31 USC 5316(a)(1)(A), 5317(c)(2), and 5324(c). The inclusion of 5324(c) is significant — that is the structuring statute, meaning CBP alleged this was not merely a failure to report but an intentional division of currency to avoid the reporting threshold.
- Case No. 2025550100188101 — $15,000 seized on September 5, 2025. CBP cited 31 USC 5316(a)(1)(B) and 5317(c)(2) only — a straightforward failure-to-report case without a structuring allegation.
These two cases in the same notice illustrate the range of how currency violations are classified at DFW. The statutes cited on a notice of seizure matter enormously — they determine which mitigation guidelines apply, how favorable the recovery prospects are, and what arguments are most effective in a petition. A structuring allegation under 5324 carries significantly more adverse implications than a simple failure to report under 5316 alone.
The DFO Houston account also publicized a structuring seizure at DFW in July:
Why DFW Is an Active CBP Enforcement Port
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is one of the busiest international airports in the United States, serving over 70 million passengers annually with direct service to more than 60 international destinations. That volume, combined with DFW’s role as a connecting hub for passengers traveling between Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, makes it a natural focal point for CBP currency enforcement.
DFW falls under the jurisdiction of the CBP Houston Field Office, which covers Texas and Louisiana ports. The Houston Field Office has been among the more publicly active in publishing seizure announcements — the DFO Houston social media account regularly posts currency enforcement actions at DFW, Houston Bush Intercontinental, and other Texas ports. This visibility reflects genuine enforcement activity: the Houston Field Office processes a high volume of international travelers and actively deploys currency detection resources at DFW.
The DFW traveler population also includes a high proportion of passengers carrying cash for international purposes — family remittances, business transactions, real estate purchases abroad — many of whom are unaware that the $10,000 reporting requirement applies in both directions, or that it applies to the total amount being transported by a group rather than per person.
Understanding the Statutes on Your Notice of Seizure
If you received a notice of seizure from CBP after a DFW seizure, the statutes cited tell you how CBP has classified your case. Here is what each one means:
- 31 USC 5316 — Failure to report. The baseline violation. You transported more than $10,000 without filing FinCEN Form 105. This is the most common classification and carries the most favorable mitigation guidelines when the money has a legitimate source and intended use. 5316(a)(1)(A) applies to travelers; 5316(a)(1)(B) applies to currency being shipped or mailed.
- 31 USC 5317(c)(2) — Forfeiture authority. This is the statute that authorizes CBP to seize and forfeit the unreported currency. It is cited in nearly every currency seizure notice and does not independently describe a violation — it is the legal basis for the seizure itself.
- 31 USC 5324 — Structuring. Cited in Case No. 2025550100164801. This statute makes it a federal offense to divide currency among people or transactions specifically to avoid the $10,000 reporting threshold. A structuring allegation is more serious than a simple failure to report — the mitigation guidelines are less favorable, and the allegation implies intentional conduct rather than inadvertence.
- 31 USC 5332 — Bulk cash smuggling. Not cited in these two cases, but common at DFW when cash is found concealed in luggage, clothing, or other items. This is the most serious classification, carrying potential criminal prosecution and the least favorable civil forfeiture outcomes.
If your notice cites only 5316 and 5317, you are in the most favorable position for recovery through the administrative petition process. If your notice also cites 5324 or 5332, the case requires a more carefully constructed response that addresses the specific elements of those violations.
What to Do After a DFW Currency Seizure
The Notice of Seizure you receive in the mail will include an Election of Proceedings form requiring a response within 30 days of the notice date. Missing this deadline is treated as abandonment — forfeiture proceeds automatically and the money is permanently lost. The steps to take immediately:
- Read the statutes cited on your notice carefully. They determine which recovery path is most appropriate for your case and what arguments will be most effective.
- Do not contact CBP or HSI to discuss your case. Statements made after the seizure can be used in both civil forfeiture proceedings and any related criminal investigation. Decline further discussion and contact an attorney first.
- Start gathering documentation of legitimate source and intended use. Bank statements, tax returns, business records, contracts, wire transfer records, or any other documents that establish where the money came from and what it was for.
- Contact a customs attorney before filing anything. The choice you make on the Election of Proceedings form is consequential and in some cases irreversible. Getting it right the first time matters.
For a full overview of how CBP enforces currency reporting at DFW and what the recovery process looks like for this port, see our DFW Airport cash seizure page. For a breakdown of which election option is best for your situation, see our guide: What Is the Best Option to Get Seized Cash Back from CBP?
Cash Seized at DFW? We Handle These Cases Nationwide.
Great Lakes Customs Law represents clients in currency seizure cases at DFW and at ports across the country. Attorney Jason Wapiennik has handled cases at Houston Field Office ports for years and understands how this field office administers petition decisions. Call us at (734) 855-4999 or contact us online for a free case review.