If you’re headed to the busiest airport in the world, better stash your cash. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) have seized $372,264 in unreported currency from 24 travelers during the first three months of 2026.

The seizures stem from failures to declare amounts exceeding $10,000 in cash or other monetary instruments when departing on international flights, a mandatory requirement under U.S. law.

How Much Money Has Customs Seized From Atlanta Travelers?

Officials emphasize that travelers may carry any amount of money, but anything over the $10,000 threshold per person or group must be reported to the U.S. Treasury via the FinCEN 105 form (Report of International Transportation of Currency and Monetary Instruments).

How the Seizures Work

CBP officers enforce the regulation at departure gates and through screening processes. In each case, officers reportedly informed travelers of the currency reporting law and confirmed their understanding before seizing the funds.

The government retains the seized money unless the owners file a successful claim to reclaim it through official channels. Failure to report can lead to civil forfeiture, even if the funds have a legitimate source.

Notably, a cash-sniffing Belgian Malinois detection dog named “Pub” played a key role, helping uncover nearly $75,000—about 20% of the total seized amount—in two separate incidents.

The largest single seizure mentioned was $44,432 from a U.S. citizen traveling to San Salvador, El Salvador, on March 22.

Reporting Is Straightforward

Travelers can complete the FinCEN 105 form online in advance through the official CBP portal or request assistance from officers at the airport.

During the same period, CBP helped travelers properly declare and file forms for nearly $3 million in currency, showing that compliance is both possible and common.

Why the Rule ExistsThe requirement helps combat money laundering, drug trafficking, and other financial crimes by creating a paper trail for large cross-border cash movements. Undeclared large sums often raise red flags during outbound international travel from major hubs like Atlanta.

CBP reminds the public: “Travelers can travel with any amount of currency and other monetary instruments that they choose, but any amounts over $10,000 must be reported.”

  • Count all cash, traveler’s checks, and certain monetary instruments carried by you and your travel group.
  • If the total exceeds $10,000, file the FinCEN 105 form before or at the airport.
  • Ignorance of the law is not a defense—seizures can occur even for honest mistakes.
  • Those who have had money seized should consult an attorney experienced in civil asset forfeiture to explore options for recovery.

As international travel rebounds, CBP continues routine enforcement at ATL and other major U.S. airports. Travelers are urged to review the rules on the official CBP website to avoid unnecessary losses.

Want to learn more about your finances? Read our guide on how to find unclaimed money.