- Cash (currency and monetary instruments)
- What is cash?
- Making declarations
- Further information
Cash (currency and monetary instruments)
Travellers entering or leaving the EU are required to make a declaration to customs authorities if they are carrying € 10.000 or more in cash. Cash in foreign currencies must converted into Euros. Declarations must be made to Customs in the country where you enter or leave the European Union.
Please note
You are also required to make a declaration if you are not the owner of the cash but transport the cash for someone else.
In what countries and areas of the European Union does the cash movements Regulation apply?
With the exception of a number of countries and areas (i.e. the so-called exempt areas), the cash movements Regulation applies throughout the European Union (EU) Examples are the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Andorra, the Vatican City, San Marino and Monaco.
Example: Amsterdam - Delhi via London by air
You are travelling by air from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Delhi (India) via London (United Kingdom).
If you do not leave the aircraft in London (United Kingdom) to take a transfer flight, you are required to make a declaration in Amsterdam (Netherlands).
If you leave the aircraft in London (United Kingdom) to take a transfer flight, you are required to make a declaration in London (United Kingdom).
Example: Tokyo – Paris via Amsterdam by air
You are travelling by air from Tokyo (Japan) to Paris (France) via Amsterdam (Netherlands). If you do not leave the aircraft in Amsterdam Netherlands) you must make a declaration in Paris (France).
If you leave the aircraft in Amsterdam (Netherlands) (e.g. to take a transfer flight, you are required to make a declaration in Amsterdam (Netherlands). With a copy of the declaration you can prove in Paris that you made a declaration in Amsterdam (Netherlands).
It may be possible that upon arrival in another place in the European Union (in this example Paris) you must made a declaration once again under national legislation because there are several countries in the European where you must declare the cash you carry with you under national legislation. For more information please contact the customs authorities in the country of your destination.
Example: Washington - Moscow via Amsterdam by air
You are travelling by air from Washington (United States) to Moscow (Russian Federation). You will make a stopover in Amsterdam (Netherlands).
If you do not leave the aircraft in Amsterdam (Netherlands) to take a transfer flight, you do not have to make a declaration.
If you leave the aircraft in Amsterdam (Netherlands) to take a transfer flight, you are required to make a declaration in Amsterdam (Netherlands).
Example: Istanbul – Rotterdam by road
You are travelling by car from Istanbul (Turkey) to Rotterdam (the Netherlands).
You are required to make your declaration in the country where you enter the European Union, for example in Greece or Bulgaria.
If you then leave the European Union and travel for example to the Confederation of Serbia and Montenegro and then re-enter the European Union in Slovenia, then you must make your declaration in the following countries:
- the country from which you leave the European Union, which in this example is Greece or Bulgaria.
- the country in which you re-enter the European Union, which in this example is Slovenia.
Example: Rotterdam - Tangier by road
You are travelling by car from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Southern Spain where you take a boat to Tangier (Morocco).
You are required to make a declaration in the country where you will leave the European Union, in this case Spain.
Example: Casablanca - New York via Rotterdam by sea
You are travelling by sea from Casablanca (Morocco) to New York (United States). You will make a stopover in Rotterdam (Netherlands).
You are required to make a declaration in Rotterdam (Netherlands).
Example: From Casablanca to New York via Le Havre and Rotterdam by sea
You are travelling by sea from Casablanca (Morocco) to New York (United States). You will make stopovers in Le Havre (Franc) and Rotterdam (Netherlands). You are required to make a declaration in Le Havre (France) for entering the European Union and in Rotterdam (Netherlands) for leaving the European Union.
Please note
You also have to make a declaration if you are just making a stopover in the European Union. Only if you do not leave the aircraft during this stopover, you do not have to make a declaration.
Violations
If you are carrying € 10,000 or more in cash but you fail to make a declaration or your declaration is not complete or incorrect, you run the risk of receiving a fine or a custodial sentence. Customs may also temporarily take away this cash from you (place into custody) if you are unable to provide the required details on the spot.
Crew, drivers, etc.
The rules for declaring cash apply to anyone entering or leaving the European Union. Including crew members of ships, aircraft and buses and drivers of trucks and buses.
Additional rules in some other EU countries.
In a number of EU countries you also have to make a declaration if you are bring cash with you from another country of the European Union. This does not apply to the Netherlands.
Legislation
The compulsory declaration of cash is a measure taken by the European Union to combat illegal activities such as money laundering or terrorist financing. The measure is laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1889/2005 on controls of cash entering or leaving the Community (26 October 2005).
