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Currency Reporting

For Travelers

It is legal to transport any amount of currency or other monetary instruments into or out of the United States.  However, if you transport, attempt to transport, or cause to be transported (including by mail or other means) currency or other monetary instruments in an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000 (or its foreign equivalent) at one time from the United States to any foreign place, or into the United States from any foreign place, you must file a report with U.S. Customs.  This report is called the Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments, Customs Form 4790.  Furthermore, if you receive in the United States, currency or other monetary instruments in an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000 (or its foreign equivalent) at one time which has been transported, mailed, or shipped to you from any foreign place, you must file a CF-4790.  These forms can be obtained at all U.S. ports of entry and departure.

Monetary instruments include:

• U.S. or foreign coins and currency;
• Traveler checks in any form;
• Negotiable instruments (including checks, promissory notes, and money orders) that are either in bearer form, endorsed without restriction, made out to a fictitious payee, or otherwise in such form that title thereto passes upon delivery;
• Incomplete instruments (including checks, promissory notes, and money orders) signed, but with they payee’s name omitted; and
• Securities or stock in bearer form or otherwise in such form that title thereto passes upon delivery.  However, the term "monetary instruments" does not include:
  • Checks or money orders made payable to the order of a named person which have not been endorsed or which bear restrictive endorsements;
  • Warehouse receipts; or
  • Bills of lading.

Reporting is required under the Currency and Foreign Transaction Reporting Act (PL 97-258, 31 U.S.C. 5311, et seq.), as amended. Failure to comply can result in civil and criminal penalties and may lead to forfeiture of your monetary instrument(s).

U.S. Customs Service
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20229

Telephone: (202) 927-1520