How much cash can I take into the USA?

Cash and monetary instruments of US$10,000 or more must be declared on FinCEN Form 105. Families and travel groups are counted together. Carrying the money is not an offence; failing to declare it is.

What happens if I do not declare cash of US$10,000 or more?

Penalties can include seizure of the money, a fine of up to US$500,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Can I bring food into the USA?

All food must be declared to US Customs. Meat products are generally prohibited, and fruit and vegetables are restricted. Undeclared food can lead to fines.

ESTA INFORMATION

US Customs: What Can You Bring into the USA?

The most important rule first: cash and monetary instruments of US$10,000 or more must be declared on FinCEN Form 105— and families and travel groups are counted together. A breach can lead to seizure, a fine of up to US$500,000 and up to 10 years in prison. This page summarises the customs rules on cash and food.

US customs and cash: declaration required from US$10,000 (FinCEN Form 105)

If you are carrying cash or monetary instruments with a total value of US$10,000 or more, you must declare them on arrival using FinCEN Form 105. Note the following:

Families and groups are counted together: if you travel together, the total amount carried by everyone counts — not the amount per person
The official form is available at fincen105.cbp.dhs.gov
Carrying the money is not an offence; failing to declare it is

Penalties: the money can be seized, and you risk a fine of up to US$500,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Food: declare everything — meat is generally prohibited

Food is subject to a broad declaration requirement when you enter the USA:

All food must be declared — including packaged snacks in your hand luggage
Meat products (for example sausage, ham or jerky) generally may not be brought in
Fruit and vegetables are restricted
If you fail to declare food, you risk a fine

The basic rule: if in doubt, declare it

In the USA, it is mainly concealmentthat is penalised, not possession. If you declare something that is not allowed in, the worst outcome is usually that you have to surrender it — if you conceal it, you risk seizure and penalties.

Rule of thumb:if you are unsure whether an item or an amount must be declared — declare it. Declaring costs nothing; not declaring can be expensive.

Customs is part of the arrival process. To find out how the interview with the CBP officer works, see our guide to US border control.

Related information

US border control

CBP interview & secondary inspection

Apply for ESTA

Step-by-step guide

Check your ESTA status

Approved, Pending, Not Authorized

Sources and currency of information

Last reviewed: 13 July 2026. This website is an independent information service and is not the official website of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).