International travelers entering the United States must declare if they are carrying currency or monetary instruments in a combined amount over $10,000 on their Customs Declaration Form (CBP Form 6059B) and then file a FinCEN Form 105.

In 2026, the global standard for carrying currency without declaration remains $10,000 USD (or the equivalent in foreign currency). This rule applies to most major travel hubs, including the United States, Canada, and the European Union (where the limit is €10,000). It is important to understand that "money" includes not just cash, but also traveler’s checks, money orders, and signed checks. You are legally allowed to carry more than this amount, but you must declare it to customs officials using specific forms (like FinCEN Form 105 in the US). Failure to declare amounts over $10,000 can result in the total sum being seized, heavy fines, and even criminal charges. If you are traveling as a family, the $10,000 limit typically applies to the group collectively if you are filing a joint declaration; you cannot simply split $20,000 between two people to bypass the rule. Always check the specific limits for your destination, as some countries have much lower thresholds for outbound currency to prevent capital flight.