Detroit CBP reports large money seizures at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW), the Ambassador Bridge, and Detroit-Windsor Tunnel (they also happen at Port Hurton, too) for the month of November. These cash seizures could be avoided by filing a FinCEN 105 form by anyone who is transporting more than $10,000 into or out of the country.
Why does CBP seize cash?
CBP seizes cash because there is a lot of misinformation among travelers, the vast majority of whom are foreign-born individuals.
First, there is a misconception among the public about the reporting requirement. People will call me tell their story as part of a free consultation and say things like, “I know you can’t take more than $10,000, so…”
And I have to stop them right there and say, “No, you’re wrong there. You can take as much money as you want, you just have to file a form and give it to CBP before you leave or upon arrival.”
Second, another one I hear less frequently is, “I reported less than $10,000 because I didn’t want to have to pay taxes on it.”
Wrong. Again. There are no taxes payable on the money when you bring it in the country. I am not saying money you bring into the country is always tax free; the income tax law and the cash reporting requirement are two different things. I repeat and carefully choose my words: CBP does not collect a tax on the money that you bring into or take out of the country!
Detroit CBP Cash Seizures in November: Four Stories
All the frequently asked questions aside, let’s dive into the stories (and photos) of the cash seizures conducted by CBP officers throughout the Port of Detroit amongst (most unsuspecting) travelers who carried more cash than $10,000. First, on November 1, there was an “intentional misreport” of over $17,000.
#DetroitMetroAirport @CBP officers #seized over $17K in intentionally misreported #currency, Oct. 27. 💰✈️ REMEMBER – There is no limit to the amount of cash you may travel with, but anything over $10,000 must be accurately reported when coming into or leaving the U.S. pic.twitter.com/Vrk7b4B8QL
— DFO Marty C. Raybon (@DFODetroit) November 1, 2024
Second, on November 3, CBP seized $27,000 from a returning U.S. Citizen who reported having on $9,600:
#DetroitMetroAirport @CBP officers seized $27k from an inbound U.S. citizen, Nov. 3. The traveler initially declared $9,600 in an attempt to evade reporting requirements. Learn more 👉 https://t.co/NjfSFgK1BP pic.twitter.com/IFRzNkIPUg
— DFO Marty C. Raybon (@DFODetroit) November 12, 2024
Then, CBP reported on all the seizures made at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on a single day, which totaled $90,000!
#DetroitMetroAirport @CBP officers seized $99k of intentionally misreported currency in a single day, Nov. 5. Keep your cash – accurately report it! Check out https://t.co/PW4dvqRT2f to learn more about #currency reporting requirements. pic.twitter.com/xznUBdgcxi
— DFO Marty C. Raybon (@DFODetroit) November 15, 2024
Finally, in a single seizure from a Canadian citizen arriving in the United States, CBP seized a bit less than $20,000:
Nearly $20K was seized from an inbound Canadian citizen, Nov. 22. The traveler admitted to intentionally misreporting the amount in an attempt to avoid completing the #currency declaration form. Learn more about reporting requirements 👉 https://t.co/PW4dvqRT2f pic.twitter.com/LlJLWQ0P5O
— DFO Marty C. Raybon (@DFODetroit) December 3, 2024