Taking cash in or out of America: limits, rules, and regulations (2026 guide)

There's no legal maximum on the amount of cash you can bring into or take out of the United States. However, if the total value exceeds $10,000 (or the equivalent in foreign currency), you're legally required to declare it to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Read on to learn all about the legal limits, the declaration process, and how you can handle spending with Revolut while you're in America. And, when you're done, check out our US travel guide.

16+, T&Cs apply. Exchange fees, fair-usage limits, and weekend fees may apply.

How much cash can you take into the USA?

You can carry any amount of cash into or out of the United States, regardless of how large the sum is. The law doesn't set a maximum. What it does require is that you report any combined value exceeding $10,000 (or the foreign currency equivalent) when you enter or leave the country.

The $10,000 threshold is a declaration trigger, not a cap. If you're carrying more than this amount, you simply need to declare it. There's no tax or fee on the money itself, and a truthful declaration carries no penalty.

What counts toward the $10,000 limit?

A wide range of monetary instruments count towards the $10,000 threshold:

• Coins and banknotes in US dollars or any foreign currency
• Travellers' cheques
• Cashier's cheques
• Money orders
• Bearer negotiable instruments, such as personal cheques, stocks, and bonds made out to a bearer

Bank accounts, debit cards, and credit cards don't count towards the limit. The threshold applies only to physical and bearer monetary instruments you're carrying with you.

The family and joint group rule

The $10,000 threshold applies to the entire group or family travelling together, not to each individual. For example, if 2 people each carry $6,000, the combined total of $12,000 exceeds the threshold and must be declared. The same logic applies to cash carried by children in the group.

Splitting cash among family members to stay under the $10,000 limit is illegal. This practice, known as "structuring", can lead to seizure of the money and prosecution.

How to declare cash over $10,000 to US customs

If you're carrying more than $10,000 in monetary instruments, you must file FinCEN Form 105 (Report of International Transportation of Currency or Monetary Instruments) with CBP.

Step-by-step declaration process

1. File FinCEN Form 105 online through the CBP portal before you travel, ideally within 72 hours of your departure or arrival
2. Alternatively, download and complete the paper form before you travel, and present it to a CBP officer on arrival
3. If you prefer, ask a CBP officer for a paper copy and complete it at the port of entry
4. When entering the US, also declare the cash on CBP Form 6059B (the customs declaration form you complete on the plane or at a kiosk)
5. Keep a copy of your filed form and any receipt, in case a CBP officer asks to see it

If someone else is carrying the money on your behalf, you must still file FinCEN Form 105.

What happens when you declare cash at customs

Declaring cash is a straightforward administrative process. A CBP officer reviews your FinCEN Form 105 and may ask a few questions about the source and intended use of the funds. As long as your declaration is complete and truthful, there's no penalty, no tax, and no fee. The report exists to record the movement of money across borders, not to restrict it.

You may be directed to a secondary inspection for a routine review. This is normal and doesn't mean you have done anything wrong. Answer the officer's questions honestly and present your documentation.

How much cash can you fly with? Penalties for failing to declare cash at US customs

Failing to declare cash over $10,000, or filing a report with material omissions or false information, is a serious offence. The consequences can include:

• confiscation and forfeiture of all the currency or monetary instruments
• civil fines, which can equal or exceed the amount of undeclared cash
• criminal penalties, including fines of up to $500,000 and imprisonment of up to 10 years

The severity of the penalty depends on whether the failure appears accidental or intentional. Even an honest mistake can result in seizure of the funds, so it's always safer to declare if you're unsure whether you're over the threshold.

Taking cash out of the UK when travelling to the USA

The UK has its own separate cash declaration rules. If you're carrying £10,000 or more in cash into or out of Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) to or from any country outside the UK, you must declare it to HMRC.

Key UK rules:

• You can declare online or by phone up to 72 hours before you travel
• "Cash" includes notes and coins, bearer bonds, banker's drafts, and cheques
• The £10,000 threshold applies to a group or family as a whole, not per person
• The maximum penalty for not declaring, or for giving incorrect information, is £5,000

Note the difference: the US threshold is $10,000, while the UK's is £10,000. If you're travelling with a large sum, you may need to make 2 separate declarations.

How much cash can you take on a plane? Risks and costs of carrying large amounts

There's no limit on how much cash you can take on a plane, but carrying large sums comes with practical and financial drawbacks.

Safety and security risks

• Theft and loss: physical cash can't be recovered if it's lost or stolen.
• TSA screening: the Transportation Security Administration may ask questions about large sums of cash during security screening. While carrying cash is legal, large amounts can trigger additional checks.
• Airport exchange: bureaux de change at airports typically offer unfavourable exchange rates on GBP to USD conversions.

Financial drawbacks

The main drawbacks of carrying physical cash are poor airport exchange rates, theft risk, and the customs declaration burden for larger sums. A travel money card like ours with competitive exchange rates can help you avoid these issues while spending in US dollars.

Spend smart in America with Revolut

A Revolut card can be a practical, cash-light companion for a trip to America. With a Revolut account, you can hold and exchange multiple currencies, including USD, at the Revolut rate, and spend directly from your balance without needing to visit a bureau de change.

Our key features for spending in America:

• Currency exchange at the Revolut rate: exchange GBP to USD at competitive rates in-app before or during your trip.
• ATM withdrawals: use your Revolut card to withdraw USD from ATMs across the US at competitive exchange rates with no additional fees from us during market hours and within your plan limits.¹ Check out our guide to withdrawing money abroad.
• Virtual cards and instant card freezing: add an extra layer of security while travelling. If you misplace your card, freeze it instantly in-app.
• Instant notifications: you get an immediate in-app notification showing the exact amount spent in USD and the corresponding GBP equivalent deducted from your balance, helping you track your holiday budget easily.

Learn more about using Revolut in the USA.

How to set up a Revolut account

Setting up a Revolut account is straightforward and takes a few minutes from your phone. Here's how it works:

1. Download the Revolut app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Sign up using your phone number and email address.
3. Verify your identity. You'll need a valid form of ID such as a passport or driving licence, and a quick selfie check. This is a standard requirement for all UK financial accounts.
4. Choose your plan. Aside from our free Standard plan, we offer several paid plans with different exchange allowances and ATM withdrawal limits. Review the plan features to find the one that suits how you travel. Paid Plan Terms apply.
5. Add money to your account. Top up by bank transfer or debit card. You can then exchange GBP into USD in-app at the Revolut rate.
6. Order your card. Get a physical card, which will be delivered to your UK address (delivery fees may apply). You can also set up a virtual card instantly to start spending online or in-store via Apple Pay or Google Pay right away.
7. Start spending. Once your card arrives, activate it in-app and you're ready to use it in the US and beyond.

If you already hold a Revolut account, simply open the app, exchange the currency you need, and check your plan's ATM withdrawal allowance before you travel.

Still got questions?Check out our US dollar travel money guide.

¹No ATM withdrawal fees within plan limits on a monthly basis. ATM withdrawals are subject to a 2% fee for Standard customers, and a 2% fee for Premium and Metal customers once their plan limits are exceeded. Third-party providers may charge a withdrawal fee. Currency and ATM fair-usage fees apply. Weekend markups on currency exchange will apply.

The information provided is accurate as of 3 September 2026.

The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial adviser.