Carrying cash from Japan to United States
Two separate rules apply to any cash journey: one where you leave, one where you arrive.
Do you need to declare?
Yes: and on both legs of the journey. Leaving Japan, Japan Customs requires a declaration above JPY 1,000,000. Entering United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires a declaration above USD 10,000. The two rules are independent: satisfying one does not satisfy the other.
Travelling as a family or group?
The threshold applies to your combined total, not per person. A family of four each carrying a little under the limit is still over it, and splitting cash between travellers to stay under does not make it legal.
The two legs
| Leg | Limit | Form | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaving Japan | JPY 1,000,000 | Declaration of Carrying of Means of Payment | Japan Customs |
| Entering United States | USD 10,000 | FinCEN Form 105 (CMIR) | U.S. Customs and Border Protection |
The same declaration is required on departure. It can be filed on paper at the airport or online through NACCS.
There is no limit on how much you may carry; amounts over USD 10,000 must be reported.
If you do not declare
Japan: Penalties under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act.
United States: Seizure of the currency and possible civil and criminal penalties.
Neither threshold on this route is a cap: you may carry more, but above it the duty is to report the cash, not to keep under the figure. Failing to report is the offence.
Currencies
Japan uses JPY; United States uses USD.
Sources: rules as of 22 September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; always check the official authority before travelling.