Can you get back money seized by customs?

If there is no violation of law, then the money must be returned and, in certain cases, the government must pay your attorney fees.

What happens to money when it is seized?

If it's a federal charge, the federal government may order the sheriff's office to send it to U.S. Marshals until it's determined how the money was obtained. If money is determined to be legitimate, the court would return the money to the individual. If it's not, some of the money could go back to the city or county.

What do airports do with seized money?

US Customs Border Seizures They can seize your currency and turn it over to the national government and recoup a significant chunk as a kickback to cater to their budgetary needs.

Do you get money back from customs?

CBP offers the opportunity to receive refunds, resulting from overpayment of Customs duties, taxes, and fees, electronically through Automated Clearinghouse (ACH) . If you sign up for ACH Refund, your refund will automatically be deposited directly into your bank account.

What do customs do with seized cash?

The government could deposit the currency into the U.S. Treasury Department after the seizure . Under 31 USC § 5316, Federal law requires that any person traveling internationally is required to fill out and submit a copy of the "FinCen" form.

Can US customs take your money?

There is no maximum limit, however, any amount exceeding $10,000 USD must be declared upon arrival on both the Form 6059B and FinCEN 105 . All forms must be filled in completely and truthfully. The penalties for inaccurate declaration and non-compliance can be severe including heavy fines and/or confiscation of funds.

What happens if customs seizes?

Upon receiving a Seizure Notice, the alleged violator has 30 days to file a petition. In the petition, individuals can argue against the violation or present mitigating factors. If successful, the cargo is released; if denied, it may be forfeited, destroyed, or auctioned .

Money is Seized at an Airport - NYC CRIMINAL ATTORNEYS [2024] (2024)

Money is Seized at an Airport

Money Seized at the Airport– What You Need to Know

So your money was seized at the airport. Let’s talk about what happened andwhat you can do.First off, having cash seized totallystinks. I’m sure it wasa scary and frustrating situation. But don’t worry – there are things you can do to get yourmoney back.Now I ain’tno fancy big-city lawyer, so Ican’t give you official legal advice. But I canshare what I’ve learned from research andmy own experience with this issue. Hopefully it helps provide some guidance on whereto go from here.

Why Did They Take MyMoney?

There’s a few reasons the authorities mightseize cash at an airport:

You had over $10,000 and didn’t declare it:If you’re traveling internationally, you need todeclare any amount over $10,000. Otherwise, they can take itas an undeclared asset.This happensa lot – billions havebeen seized for thisreason!
They suspectedit was involved inillegal activity:Maybe somethingseemed suspicious about yourstory or luggage, sothey took the cashon suspicion of drugtrafficking or other crimes. Of course, they need evidenceto prove that.
It was a random search:Sometimes they’ll dorandom bag searchesand just happen to find abunch of cash. Then theyseize it to investigate where itcame from.
You consentedto a search:They can ask tosearch your bags and if yousay yes, anything they findcan be seized as evidence. Never consent to a search if you’re carrying a lot of cash!

What Happens to the Money After it’s Seized?

Once it’s taken, the money goes intoa suspense fund whilethey investigatethe case. If it‘s not returned toyou within 30 days, the seizing agency (likeDEA or Homeland Security) keeps the cash and can spend it!

That’s why it’s crucial toact fast if you want itback! Don’t let them keep it without afight.

How DoI Get My Money Back?

Here’s whatyou need to do:

Why Do I Need a Lawyer So Badly?

Great question! Here’s why a good lawyeris so important:

They know the system.All therules, processes anddeadlines – it’s complex! A lawyer handles itsmoothly.
Negotiation skills.They can negotiate with the agency professionally andeffectively.
Court experience.If it goes to court, you needsomeone who has donethis before.
Prove the money’s legal.They know how to gather records andbuild a case proving it.
Avoid mistakes.One wrong move could really hurtyour chances!A lawyer prevents mistakes.

Having cash confiscated at an airport can be scary and frustrating. Even though there’s no legal limit on how much money you can carry, if you’re traveling internationally, you must declare sums over $10,000. And agents can seize cash for many reasons – even if obtained legally.

If money is taken from you at an airport, the first thing to do is hire a lawyer experienced with these cases. An attorney can help get your money back through legal filings and defenses. I’ll explain the process and your options below.

Why Money May Be Seized

There are a few reasons authorities like the DEA, TSA, or Customs may seize cash at airports:

You’re carrying over $10,000 internationally without declaring it
Agents think the money is tied to illegal activity like drug trafficking
You make inconsistent statements about the money’s origins
A drug dog alerts agents to your bag containing cash

Even if the cash is 100% legally obtained, it can still be taken. That’s why you need an attorney to fight for its return.

Getting Your Money Back

If money is seized, here are key steps to take:

Hire an experienced lawyer – They can navigate laws and defend your rights
File a claim demanding court action – Forces the agency to justify the seizure
Gather evidence like surveillance footage – Can help prove improper seizure
Negotiate with prosecutors for return of funds – Avoids a lengthy court battle

Never admit guilt or try to explain the money’s origins. That can hurt your case. An attorney will advise you on responding to questioning.

Why You Need a Lawyer

Navigating cash seizure laws is complex. An attorney can help by:

Filing paperwork to contest the seizure and trigger court action
Obtaining surveillance video before it’s deleted
Interviewing witnesses to build your defense
Negotiating with prosecutors for full or partial return of money
Going to court if needed to fight the forfeiture

In many cases, an experienced lawyer can get some or all money returned quickly, avoiding drawn-out legal proceedings.

Costs of Legal Help

Many lawyers work on contingency in these cases. This means you only pay if money is recovered. Typical fees are 30-40% of funds returned.

Shop around, as some lawyers charge hourly or flat rates. Compare experience, case results, and fee structures.

Also ask if you pay upfront costs like filing fees. Some lawyers advance these costs, reimbursing themselves only if money is recovered.

Takeaways

If money is seized at an airport, immediately hire a lawyer experienced in these cases
A good lawyer can help recover some or all of the seized cash
Respond to questioning carefully and don’t admit anything without your lawyer
Shop around for a lawyer with a fee structure that works for your situation

Having cash taken at an airport is stressful, but a knowledgeable legal team can make the process smoother and increase your chances of getting money back.