Website of the UK government

When you need to declare cash

You only need to declare cash if you are carrying over 10,000 euros or the equivalent and are travelling to or from a country outside the EU.

Definition of the EU

For the purposes of declaring cash the EU is:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (including the Canary Islands), Sweden and the United Kingdom (not including the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands).

Definition of cash

The term 'cash' covers:

• currency notes and coins
• bankers' drafts
• cheques of any kind, including travellers' cheques

How to declare cash to HMRC

You must declare cash on duplicate form C9011, and post the completed top Copy 1 in the drop box provided at the port or airport.

You can get this form at the port or airport and complete it there, or you can download and print it by following the link below, which allows you to fill it in before you start your journey.

HMRC officers may ask to see evidence that you have made a declaration. Therefore it is important to keep a copy of the completed form. This is automatically generated on carbon Copy 2 if you make your declaration on a form provided at the port or airport. If you use the printed down form, you will need to photocopy the completed Copy 1. (You do not need to complete Copy 2 of the printed form).

You may be fined if you fail to declare the money or give incomplete or false information.

• Download form C9011 'Cash declaration' (PDF, 58K) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files

Your rights if your cash is seized

HMRC officers will only keep declared cash if they have reasonable grounds to suspect it is the proceeds of or is intended for use in illegal activities.

Seized cash cannot be kept for more than 48 hours without a court order (not including public holidays and weekends).

A court may order seized cash to be:

• held while investigations are carried out
• withheld permanently if the investigation shows it is associated with criminal activity
  

If your cash is seized, you will be given information on how to appeal against the decision.

More useful links

• Read the detailed EU legislation Opens new window
• Download 'Carrying cash in and out of the United Kingdom' (PDF, 574K)
• Help with PDF files