Border cash controls · EU & US

Do you have to declare your cash?

Carrying a lot of cash across the EU or US border? Enter the amount and the kind of crossing — the tool tells you if a declaration is required, on what form, what counts as cash, and the penalty for getting it wrong.

The rule, in one line

Both the EU and the US require you to declare large amounts of cash when you cross the border — but the threshold direction and what counts differ slightly.

• EU: cash of €10,000 OR MORE must be declared when entering OR leaving the Union (Regulation (EU) 2018/1672, since 3 June 2021).
• US: MORE THAN $10,000 in currency or monetary instruments into or out of the US must be reported on FinCEN Form 105 (31 U.S.C. 5316).

Official sources: Reg (EU) 2018/1672 · 31 U.S.C. 5316 · 31 U.S.C. 5312

Border cash rules last reviewed 2026-06-15.Thresholds verified against EUR-Lex and Cornell LII (2026-06-15).

Check your crossing

Computed in your browser — no amount is sent anywhere.

Which border are you crossing?

The EU and US rules differ; pick the one that applies to your trip.

How much are you carrying (total value)?

Currency

Count all the cash and monetary instruments together. The €10,000 / $10,000 limit means 'or equivalent in any currency' — if you're near it, convert at today's rate.

What kinds of value are you carrying?

What counts toward the limit differs by jurisdiction — tick all that apply.

Banknotes and coins (currency)Cheques, money orders, traveller's cheques (bearer-negotiable instruments)Gold coins (≥90% gold) or bullion (≥99.5% gold)High-value prepaid cards

Declaration verdict

You must declare

You're carrying 10,000 EUR or more for this crossing, so you must declare it: a cash declaration to the competent authority of the Member State you enter or leave. Declare proactively — don't wait to be asked.

What counts toward the EU limit

✓ Banknotes and coins (currency) — counts toward the limit

Penalty (EU): authorities may detain the cash (Art 7), and each Member State sets its own penalties for failing to declare (Art 14).

These €10,000 / $10,000 figures are EU and US only. Most other countries set their own cash-declaration thresholds — always check the customs rules of every country on your route.

How the determination works

1. Pick the jurisdiction and direction

The EU rule (Reg (EU) 2018/1672) applies to cash entering or leaving the Union; the US rule (31 U.S.C. 5316) applies to currency/monetary instruments into or out of the US. The tool routes to the right threshold.

2. Compare against the threshold

The EU threshold is €10,000 'or more' (inclusive); the US threshold is 'more than' $10,000 (exclusive). At exactly 10,000 the EU requires a declaration and the US does not — the tool applies the right comparison.

3. Check what counts

Currency and bearer-negotiable instruments count in both. Gold counts for the EU but not for the US CMIR. Prepaid cards are not currently part of either declaration obligation. The tool flags the divergences.

Frequently asked questions

Is the limit per person or per family?: The obligation is on the person carrying the cash. The EU and US rules are commonly applied per traveller, but authorities can look at amounts carried jointly by a group or family travelling together to prevent splitting to avoid the limit. If your group's combined cash is near the threshold, declare — do not split it to stay under.
What exactly counts as 'cash' or a 'monetary instrument'?: EU (Reg 2018/1672): currency (banknotes and coins), bearer-negotiable instruments (cheques, money orders), gold coins of at least 90% purity and bullion of at least 99.5% purity, and prepaid cards (listed but not yet activated). US (31 U.S.C. 5312 / 31 CFR 1010.100): currency, traveller's cheques, money orders and other bearer negotiable instruments — but not gold.
Do I pay tax or duty when I declare cash?: No. Declaring cash is an anti-money-laundering control, not a tax — you do not pay duty just for carrying or declaring it. The declaration records the amount and its origin/destination; it does not create a charge. Failing to declare is what triggers detention and penalties.
What happens if I don't declare?: In the EU the authorities can temporarily detain the cash (Art 7) and each Member State sets penalties (Art 14). In the US, failing to file the CMIR can lead to seizure and civil or criminal forfeiture (31 U.S.C. 5317) and criminal penalties up to $250,000 and 5 years' imprisonment, or $500,000 and 10 years for aggravated cases (31 U.S.C. 5322).
I'm flying with a connection through another country — whose rules apply?: Each border crossing has its own rules. Entering or leaving the EU triggers the EU declaration; entering or leaving the US triggers the US report; a transit country may have its own threshold. This tool covers the EU and US; check the customs site of any other country you pass through.
Is this legal advice?: No. This tool routes the EU and US cash-declaration thresholds and explains what counts, using the official texts. It is orientation, not legal advice, and other countries have different rules. Verify against the linked official sources and declare if you are unsure.

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