Do You Travel with Large Amounts of Cash for Work?

Did you know that you must declare large amounts of cash, even if you’re only travelling to Northern Ireland?

Make sure any business trips you might be taking that require carrying cash are not interrupted or ruined by keeping up with the below guidance.

Great Britain

When travelling between England, Scotland, or Wales and another country, you must declare any cash sums of £10,000 or more to the UK customs authority, including Northern Ireland.

However, if you are travelling from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, you do not need to declare any amount of cash you may be carrying.

Northern Ireland

You do not need to declare any cash you are carrying between Northern Ireland and a country in the EU. If you are carrying €10,000 or more between Northern Ireland and any non-EU country, it must be declared.

You may also be asked to fill out a cash disclosure form if you send €10,000 or more by freight, post, or courier between Northern Ireland and a non-EU country, including from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

What must you declare?

You must declare notes and coins, bearer bonds, and travellers’ cheques (including those that are signed but not made out to a person or organisation).

If you are travelling within Northern Ireland, you must also declare money orders, gold coins, bullion, nuggets, and prepaid cards.

When should you declare cash?

Any cash you will be travelling with must be declared within 72 hours before travelling.

What if I’m travelling in a group?

If you are travelling as a family or group and collectively have more than £10,000 or €10,000 between you all, you must declare it, even if individuals are carrying less than that.

How do you declare it?

Online

You can declare any cash you’re carrying between Great Britain and any other country here..

Or if you’re travelling between Northern Ireland and a non-EU country, including Great Britain, you can declare it here.

Phone

Declarations can also be made over the phone by calling the Customer Service Group at 0300 322 9434 from Monday to Friday between 8 am and 6 p.m.

At the Port or Airport

If you cannot use online or phone services, then you can ask for the form BOR9011 at the port or airport you will be travelling from.

What happens if you don’t declare your cash?

If you don’t declare carrying cash amounts of over £10,000 or €10,000 or give incorrect information you can face penalties of up to £5,000.

Your cash could also be seized if the customs authorities have reason to suspect it may be related to a crime. They can keep this cash for 48 hours without a court order, which could greatly impact any business or activities you might be expecting to do on your trip.

How do you appeal a penalty?

If you believe you have been penalised incorrectly, you can write to the Fraud Investigation Service stating why you disagree with the decision within 30 days of the penalty notice date.

Write to:
Fraud Investigation Service
FIS POC Operations: Cash Declaration Penalty Team
S0079
Newcastle
NE98 1ZZ