How Much Cash Can You Take to the Airport?

The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm represent clients after their cash or other valuable property is taken at the airport. After the seizure, most people are shocked to learn that federal agents can seize money this way. Our clients might want to fly with cash for any variety of reasons including moving, planning to buy a car, helping a relative, or carrying business funds.

The first question they ask is usually the same: “How much cash can you legally take through the airport?”

The short answer is simple — as much as you want. Carrying large amounts of cash is perfectly legal in the United States. But if you bring a large amount of bulk currency through TSA it might trigger questions, delays, and sometimes a seizure by law enforcement.

This article explains the rules for traveling with cash, why the government seizes money at airports, and what you can do to get it back if it happens to you. If your money was already taken, read more about seizures of cash at the airport for forfeiture and how our attorneys fight to get it back.

No Law Limits How Much Cash You Can Carry on a Domestic Flight

If you are flying within the United States, there is no limit on the amount of cash you can bring. You are allowed to carry:

• $500
• $5,000
• $20,000
• $100,000 or more

There is no law criminalizing the possession or transportation of cash on a domestic flight. But airport security officers might not agree on how innocent that looks.

TSA’s mission is security, not drug enforcement, but when they see a heavy stack of bills on the scanner, the next step is often calling the local task force officer with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), or Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

To learn more about how these cases turn into federal civil asset forfeiture actions, visit our page on civil asset forfeiture cases in Florida and throughout the United States.

Flying Internationally? You Must Report More Than $10,000

The only time a legal “limit” comes into play is when you leave or enter the United States. If you are traveling internationally with more than $10,000 in currency or monetary instruments, you must file a FinCEN Form 105. Failing to report it can lead to:

• seizure of the entire amount
• a civil penalty
• allegations that you were trying to conceal the funds

Even internationally, it is legal to travel with far more than $10,000 — as long as the paperwork is done correctly. For more detailed information on this issue, visit our article on seizures after traveling with $10,000 or more in cash through the airport.

Does Cash Show Up on Airport Screening Machines?

Yes. Bundles of currency show up on TSA’s screening machines, although they often hide information about how that works. The more money you carry, the more attention it draws.

Cash appears on the screen as a dense, uniform block. The equipment can travel U.S. Currency specifically, because each bill is embedded with a thin security thread. If you wrap the cash in rubber bands or placed it in multiple envelopes, it creates a shape that TSA associates with “bulk currency,” which they are trained to flag.

Although TSA cannot seize money for civil asset forfeiture, they can — and frequently do — refer the traveler to airport police or a DEA agent with the local drug interdiction unit. Many of the airport forfeiture case results we list on our website started this way – with a TSA screener spotting cash on the scanning equipment.

Can You Keep Your Cash in Your Pocket Through TSA?

Can you keep your cash in your pocket through TSA? No, they will ask you to remove all items from your pockets before you enter the scanner. When TSA sees any large, solid object in a pocket, they usually ask the traveler to remove it. If the officer sees a wad of cash, then that looks particularly suspicious. TSA might begin to ask questions such as:

• Where are you going?
• How much money is that?
• Why are you carrying it?
• Do you mind if we call someone over?

You don’t have to answer these questions, but the refusal itself often triggers more involvement from law enforcement. If you are reading this after a screener or officer started asking those questions, you should also read our article: Can TSA seize cash at the airport for civil asset forfeiture?

Why TSA Calls the Law Enforcement

It surprises many people to learn that TSA has no authority to seize money. Their only job is to ensure you’re not a security threat. But if they have “concerns” about the source or destination of the cash, they call in the agents who do seize money:

• Airport police
• Agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
• Local Task Force Officers
• DEA agents assigned to the airport

Many DEA seizures start with TSA spotting the money on the scanner and stepping aside so law enforcement can question the traveler. To learn more about what happens when the DEA gets involved, visit our page on fighting DEA cash seizures for forfeiture.

Why the DEA and Federal Agencies Seize Cash at Airports

DEA agents and other federal agents and task force officers are trained to assume that large amounts of cash are either:

• the proceeds of drug trafficking, or
• intended for a drug transaction.

In reality, there is often no evidence of either. Most people we represent were never charged with a crime. Many were never even accused of a crime. Yet their money was taken anyway under the federal civil asset forfeiture laws.

The problem is that civil forfeiture is backwards. The cash is treated as the “defendant,” not the person. So even innocent travelers end up fighting the government for their own money.

What Happens After Your Money Is Seized at the Airport?

If DEA, CBP, or another federal agency takes your money, they should give you a receipt. A few weeks later, you will receive a “Notice of Seizure” in the mail. You do NOT have to wait for the notice to arrive in the mail before you file your claim. But if you do wait for the notice to arrive in the mail, your deadlines come quickly. You only have 35 days to file a verified claim for court action. The word “file” means that it must be “in their hands” before the deadline runs.

Missing that deadline might mean losing the money permanently.

Once a valid claim is filed, the government must either return the money or file a lawsuit to forfeit it within 90 days. If a federal agency seized the property or adopted it, the complaint for forfeiture must be filed in the appropriate United States District Court, usually in the jurisdiction where the property was seized.

In many of our airport forfeiture cases, we file the claim immediately and push the government into court as quickly as possible. For examples, visit our civil forfeiture case results, which include many cash seizures that started at an airport checkpoint.

Reasons People Travel With Large Amounts of Cash

Despite what agents sometimes say, traveling with cash is not unusual. We’ve represented people carrying money on domestic flights for:

• vehicle purchases
• business inventory or payroll
• moving to a new state or country
• a cash-based business
• personal emergencies
• savings outside the banking system
• helping family members
• avoiding delays with bank transfers

None of these reasons are illegal or justify seizing the money. But state and federal law enforcement agents are training to seize cash after gathering evidence that might suggest the funds are tainted.

Can You Get Your Cash Back?

Yes, but you must act quickly and follow the procedures exactly. The verified claim is the key. Filing the wrong document, or waiting too long, can cost you the entire amount. The civil asset forfeiture attorneys at Sammis Law Firm help with:

• preparing and filing the verified claim
• demanding court action under CAFRA
• challenging the government’s theory
• proving the money came from a legitimate source
• negotiating early return when possible

In many cases, the government has little or no evidence connecting the cash to illegal activity. Once challenged, they often cannot meet their burden of proof. For more information on how we handle these cases, including seizures at specific airports, see:

• Seizure of cash at the Tampa International Airport (TPA)
• Cash seizures at the Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Money seized at the airport in Miami, FL
• Seizures at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
• Seizures at the Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers

What To Do If TSA, CBP, or the DEA Seized Your Money

If your cash was taken at the airport, here are the first steps to protect yourself:

1. Get the receipt for the seizure.
2. Write down the agent’s name and the case number if possible.
3. Do not make inconsistent statements — anything you say will be written into the report.
4. Call an attorney experienced in airport seizures before filing anything on your own.
5. Do not wait for the government to “reach out.” They won’t.

You only get one chance to challenge the seizure properly. If you miss the deadline, the government keeps the money.

We Help Clients Across Florida and the United States

The civil asset forfeiture lawyers at Sammis Law Firm represents clients whose cash was seized at:

• Tampa International Airport (TPA)
• Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• Jacksonville (JAX)
• And other airports nationwide

We handle the entire process — from the first phone call to the final resolution in federal court. Many cases result in the full return of funds. For an overview of our forfeiture practice, visit our page on civil asset forfeiture cases in Tampa, FL.

Recent Case Results in Airport Seizure Cases

Seizure of Cash by CBP at Orlando International Airport 

On June 5, 2025, U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) at the Orlando International Airport seized $20,000.00 from our client before a domestic flight. CBP alleged that the money was from unlawful activity pursuant to 18 USC 981(a)(I)(C), I8 USC 1956(c)(7), 18 USC 1961(1) – Proceeds of Unlawful Activity. Our client received a Notice of Seizure and was given 35 days to file a claim. We helped the client file a claim for court action and completed the Election of Proceeding form to bypass the option to file a petition for an administrative proceeding. We also preserved the surveillance video that showed our client’s detention, the search of his luggage, and the seizure of the cash by the CBP agent. After the Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) missed the 90-day deadline to file claim, we reached out to the AUSA who informed us that they had “declined” initiating judicial proceedings. We then reached out to CBP since they were required to return 100% of the seized currency would be returned. Within another week, we received an email from the Paralegal Specialist for the CBP’s Fines, Penalties & Forfeitures Office in Tampa, FL, confirming that “[a]fter review of the matter, the Government has decided to release the property to you.” We received the payment of the funds shortly thereafter.

CBP Returned $80,000 in Seized U.S. Currency at the Miami International Airport

On May of 2025, U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) seized $84,186.00 from claimant and 4 traveling companions at the Miami International Airport. CBP alleged that the money was subject to forfeiture under the provisions of  31 USC 5317(c)(2), 31 USC 5324(c) – Structuring Transactions to Evade Reporting Requirements, 31 USC 5332(c), 31 USC 5332(a) – Concealed Bulk Cash/Import, and 31 USC 5317(c)(2), 31 USC 5316(a)(l)(B) – Failure/Inaccurate Report of Over $10,000 Into the U.S. CBP provided a receipt for the money that only listed one of the individuals and the other individuals did not receive a receipt. The same person was the only one to receive the Notice of Seizure that arrived 22 days after the seizure. Sammis Law Firm filed a claim for court action signed by each of the individuals. Within five months of the seizure, an attorney at Sammis Law Firm negotiated an agreement that required CBP to return $80,000.00 of the seizure cash and only $4,186 was forfeited to CBP.

DEA Returned $50,000.00 Seized from a Residence in Florida

In May of 2025, agents with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized $50,000.00 from the residence of the claimant during the execution of a seizure warrant. DEA alleged that the forfeiture was initiated pursuant to 21 USC 881, the federal laws of 19 USC §§ 1602-1609, 18 USC § 983, and 28 CFR Parts 8 and 9. Claimant received a Notice of Seizure approximately 30 days later. The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm filed a claim for court action on behalf of the claimant 14 days later. After providing information showing problem with the way the warrant was executed and the lack of evidence showing the money was tainted, DEA agreed to return the 100% of the money seized. That agreement was reached about five (5) months after the seizure.

Seizure of $61,000.00 at the Portland International Airport by the FBI 

In April of 2025, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) seized $61,000.00 in U.S. Currency from our client at the Portland International Airport in the State of Oregon. Our client was provided with a receipt at the time of the seizure, but he never received a Notice of Seizure. The attorneys at Sammis Law Firm filed a claim for court action on behalf of our client within 15 days of the seizure with the FBI. The FBI accepted the claim within 6 days. Additionally, Sammis Law Firm filed a request with the airport authority that that requires them to preserve all airport surveillance video of our client’s stop, detention, search and seizure. After explaining problems in the case related to the stop and detention not being consensual, the FBI agreed to return 100% of the seized U.S. Currency, plus interest. That agreement was reached within four (4) months of the seizure.

CBP Returned $17,200.00 Seized at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport

In November of 2024, U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) agents seized $17,200.00 from our client and his traveling companion at the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport. A receipt was provided to our client, but he never received a Notice of Seizure. Four months later, the claimant contacted Sammis Law Firm. We helped the client file a claim for court action, despite not having received the Notice of Seizure. CBP agreed to release all of the money seized from our client and the traveling companion after they were unable to convince an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) to file a complaint for forfeiture in the U.S. District Court.

DEA Returns $46,000.00 seized at the Orlando International Airport

In June of 2024, our client had $46,000.00 seized at the Orlando International Airport by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Our client did not receive the Notice of Seizure until 11 months later, which was well past the 60 day statutory deadline. The notice indicated the DEA initiated the forfeiture action pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 881 and the following federal laws of 19 USC §§ 1602-1619, 18 USC § 983 and 28 CFR Parts 8 and 9. An attorney at Sammis Law Firm filed a claim for court action that explained the the notice had been issued late and listed other problems with the seizure. Four months after Sammis Law Firm filed the claim for court action, DEA agreed to return 100% of the money seized.

CBP Seizes $21,824.00 at the Tampa International Airport

In June of 2025, U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) seized $21,824.00 from our client and his wife at the Tampa International Airport before an international flight. CBP seized the money alleging that the claimant failed to report taking over $10,000.00 out of the United States under 31 USC 5317(c)(2) and 31 USC 5316(a)(l)(A). An attorney at Sammis Law Firm filed a verified claim and Election of Proceedings on behalf of the client and his wife. We then contacted the Assistant United States Attorney to explain problems with the case. The AUSA ultimately decided to “decline” to file the complaint for forfeiture and CBP returned 100% of the seized money within four (4) months of the seizure.

$32,608.00 Seized at the Orlando International Airport

In August of 2025, $32,608.00 was seized at the Orlando International Airport on August 16, 2025, by the U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP). CBP released $1,716.00 to claimant for humanitarian reasons and alleged that the claimant violated 31 USC 5317(c)(2), 31 USC 5316(a)(1)(B) for Failure/Inaccurate Report of Over $10,000 Into the U.S. Our client received a Notice of Seizure about two (2) days after the seizure. An attorney at Sammis Law Firm filed a claim for court action signed and verified by our client. Two months after the seizure, CBP agreed to drop the forfeiture action and returned 100% of the money seized.

$25,000.00 Seized at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

On July 8, 2025, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) seized $25,000.00 from claimant and a traveling companion at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport before a domestic flight to the west coast. Sammis Law Firm filed a demand for Adversarial Preliminary Hearing (APH) with BCSO within 7 days after the seizure. We also filed a preservation demand with the airport authorities so that we could obtain the surveillance video showing the stop, detention, search and seizure. We provided BCSO information showing problems with the way the seizure occurred. After BCSO missed the 10-day deadline to hold the APH, it agreed to return the seized money.

CBP Returned $13,404.91 Seized in Portal, North Dakota

In June of 2025, U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) seized $13,404.91 and jewelry from our client in Portal, North Dakota, at the border crossing station. CBP alleged that claimant violated 31 USC 5317(c)(2), 31 USC 5316(a)(1)(B) – Failure/Inaccurate Report of Over $10,000 Into the U.S. Our client received a Notice of Seizure. An attorney at Sammis Law Firm filed a claim for court action, along with the Election of Proceedings with CBP. After providing information showing the way the money had been earned in Canada and an explanation for not filing the FinCEN 105 Form, CBP agreed to return $12,175.59 and all of the jewelry. The client agreed to forfeit the remaining $1,229.32.

$100,000 Returned After Seizure at the O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Our client’s $100,000 in U.S. Currency was seized by DEA agents at the O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago, Illinois. First, we helped the client file a claim for court action with the DEA. The Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in Chicago “declined: to file a forfeiture complaint in federal court. After missing the 90 day deadline triggered by the claim, the DEA returned to returned the property. Instead, it transferred the U.S. Currency to the Chicago Police Department after the CPD served a seizure warrant to obtain the cash and attempt a “reverse adoption.” We partnered with a local attorney licensed in Illinois and entered the case at the state level on a pro hac vice basis. We negotiated the return of $100,000 to our client, in part due to the problems with the “reverse adoption.”

Call for a Free Consultation

If your money was seized at the airport, contact us today to discuss your case:

Sammis Law Firm, P.A.
Tampa • Clearwater
Phone: 813-250-0500

We can explain your rights, your options, and the fastest way to demand the return of your money after a seizure at the airport.