Carrying cash on your international trip? Know legal limits, exceptions, more - RBI rules for foreign trips (2024)

FAQs

How much cash can you carry on international flights from India? ›

How much cash can we carry internationally? As per the guidelines of the RBI, Indian travellers are not allowed to carry cash abroad for more than INR 25,000. However, you can carry the balance amount in other forms like debit cards, credit cards, traveller's checks, banker's drafts and money orders.

The short answer is “there is no limit to how much cash you can bring to the airport for a domestic or intentional flight. However, you must declare on the FinCEN105 form that you are bringing more than $10,000 on an international flight (which includes all money being carried by anyone in your family or group).

Ans. A resident of India, who has gone out of India on a temporary visit may bring into India at the time of his return from any place outside India (other than Nepal and Bhutan), currency notes of Government of India and Reserve Bank of India notes up to an amount not exceeding Rs. 25,000.

Travellers from all countries must disclose currency before entering India if the sum is $5,000 US or more in coins and notes or a value of $10,000 or more in coins, notes, and traveller's cheques.

For travellers from India to the United States, the legal limit for liquid cash is set at USD 3,000 per person per trip. Amount greater than this can be carried in the form of travellers' cheque, Forex Card or bank transfers.

Members of a family dwelling in the same home who enter the United States on a joint or family declaration must report on their Customs Declaration Form if they carry money or monetary instruments totalling more than $10,000. Individual members carrying more than $10,000 must then complete a Members FinCEN Form 105.

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.

Limits on Carrying Cash

Although there is no legal limit on how much cash you can physically carry on to a plane, if you are travelling internationally you must declare with authorities any amount that exceeds $10,000.

Cash Seizure

Individuals found carrying cash more than Rs. 50,000 or new items worth over Rs. 10,000 without supporting documents will be seized.

Travelers who enter or leave the U.S. via airports, seaports or border crossing checkpoints must complete a Customs and Border Protection Form 6059-B and declare the exact amount of money they are carrying.

What is the limit for customs in India? ›

exceed US $10,000/- or its equivalent and/ or the value of foreign currency exceeds US $5,000/- in currency notes or its equivalent, it should be declared to the Customs Authorities at the Airport in the Currency Declaration Form, on arrival in India.

You need to declare it when traveling internationally

It's legal to travel with more than $10,000 in the United States and abroad. You have the right to travel with as much money as you want. However, during international travel, you need to report currency and monetary instruments in excess of $10,000.

If it is an international flight, you are not permitted to carry more than INR 25000.00. Foreign exchange in the form of forex cards or traveller's cheques - no limit. Foreign exchange in the form of currency - USD 3000.00. An amount above USD 3000.00 is permitted for travel to Iraq, Libya and some other countries.

You may bring into or take out of the country, including by mail, as much money as you wish. However, if it is more than $10,000, you will need to report it to CBP. Use the online Fincen 105 currency reporting site or ask a CBP officer for the paper copy of the Currency Reporting Form (FinCen 105).

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.

There is no upper limit on how much foreign currency one can take out of India. But foreign currency worth USD 5,000 or more and foreign currency along with traveler's cheques worth USD 10,000 or more needs to be declared to the customs authorities by filling up the Currency Declaration Form (CDF).

For domestic travel on Indian Railways, there are no specific restrictions on carrying cash. However, if you are carrying a significant amount of cash, it is advisable to carry relevant identification and supporting documents to explain the source and purpose of the funds, as per anti-money laundering regulations.