Can I Fly With This?
Can I bring cash on a plane?
Quick rules for flying with cash in carry-on and checked baggage. Verdicts and conditions across the major aviation regions below.
🇺🇸 United States (TSA)
No limit on domestic flights. International: must declare amounts of $10,000 USD or equivalent (per family) when entering or leaving the US — failure to declare can result in seizure.
🇪🇺 European Union (EASA)
Must declare €10,000 or equivalent when entering or leaving the EU. No internal EU limit.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom (CAA)
Carry-on only. UK customs: declare £10,000+ cash when entering or leaving Great Britain (or Northern Ireland from outside the UK).
🌎 Latin America
Most countries require declaration of USD $10,000 or equivalent on entry/exit (Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Chile). Argentina has had currency controls limiting cash to USD $10,000. Undeclared amounts can be seized. Always declare on the customs form.
🌏 Asia (ICAO / IATA baseline)
Allowed in carry-on (never check — theft + loss risk). Customs declaration thresholds at arrival vary: Japan = ¥1,000,000 (~US$7,000), Singapore = S$20,000, Hong Kong = HK$120,000 (~US$15,400), India = US$5,000 (or US$10,000 total cash + travellers cheques), China = RMB 20,000 or US$5,000, Thailand = US$20,000. Failure to declare can mean confiscation + fines.
🇦🇺 Australia & Pacific (CASA)
Carry-on only. Australia + NZ: declare cash / negotiable instruments of AU$10,000 / NZ$10,000 or more (single or split between travelling party). Failure to declare = AU$25,200 fine + possible confiscation.