Carrying cash from United States to France
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 United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires a declaration above USD 10,000. Entering France, France customs authority (EU cash controls) requires a declaration above EUR 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 United States | USD 10,000 | FinCEN Form 105 (CMIR) | U.S. Customs and Border Protection |
| Entering France | EUR 10,000 | EU Cash Declaration Form | France customs authority (EU cash controls) |
The same reporting duty applies when leaving the United States.
Applies when entering the EU from a non-EU country. No declaration is required when travelling between EU member states.
If you do not declare
United States: Seizure of the currency and possible civil and criminal penalties.
France: Cash may be detained and penalties applied under national law.
There is no limit on how much you may legally carry in either direction, the duty is to report it, not to keep under it. Failing to report is the offence.
Currencies
United States uses USD; France uses EUR.
Sources: rules as of 22 September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; always check the official authority before travelling.