Archive Website of the UK government

When you need to declare cash

You only need to declare cash if you are entering or leaving the UK from outside the European Union (EU) and carrying cash of 10,000 euros or more, or the equivalent in other currencies.

Definition of the EU

When 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 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)

You must declare cash on form C9011, and post the completed top Copy 1 in the drop-box 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.

Custom Officers from the UK Border Agency may ask to see evidence that you have declared the cash. For this reason it is important to keep a copy of the completed form. If you get the form at the port or airport, it automatically makes a carbon copy as you complete it. This is Copy 2. If you download and print the form, you will need to make a photocopy of Copy 1. (You do not need to complete Copy 2 of the downloaded form.)

You may be fined if you do not declare the money or if you give incomplete or false information.

• Download form C9011 'Cash declaration' (PDF, 58KB) Opens new window

• Find out more about going through customs when you enter the UK Opens new window

• Help with PDF files

Your rights if your cash is seized

UKBA officers will only seize 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 (not including public holidays and weekends) without a court order.

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 explaining how you can appeal against the decision.

Getting more help and advice about declaring cash

If you need more information about declaring cash when entering or leaving the UK, you can contact the Customs, International Trade and Excise Helpline by following the link below.

• Customs, International Trade and Excise Helpline Opens new window

More useful links

• Read about tax and duty on goods brought into the UK from outside the EU Opens new window

Useful contacts

• Foreign and Commonwealth Office

• Identity and Passport Service (IPS)

• ATOL (Air Travel Organisers' Licence) Opens new window