According to a mid-November U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release – a passenger headed from Dulles Airport to Egypt had over $33,000 in currency seized by CBP.

Prior to boarding the flight to Egypt, CBP officers asked the traveler the amount of currency in his possession while requiring the traveler to complete a U.S. Treasury Department form for reporting currency. At the time of questioning, the traveler told CBP and completed the form confirming he had $20,000. However, during a subsequent investigation of the passenger’s baggage, CBP officers discovered a total of $33,868. Officers seized the currency and released the traveler.

Not mentioned in the report is the traveler likely missed his flight as the baggage inspection process takes several hours and CBP will always stop passengers as the plane is boarding. Also not mentioned is whether the traveler received a small sum of money in return known as “humanitarian relief”. As it was not mentioned, I don’t believe CBP returned a portion of the seized funds to the traveler.

If you or someone you know has had their currency seized, contact customs seizure attorney David Hsu by phone/text at 832-896-6288 or by email at attorney.dave@yahoo.om; dh@gjatradelaw.com.

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