UK reveals how much money you must declare when entering Britain

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Travellers entering or leaving the UK with large amounts of money may be required to declare it to customs authorities before or upon arrival.

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Under UK customs rules, anyone carrying £10,000 or more between Great Britain — England, Scotland and Wales — and a country outside the UK must make a declaration.

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The requirement also applies to families or groups travelling together. If the combined amount being carried by the group is £10,000 or more, a declaration is required even if no individual traveller has £10,000.

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Travellers can make a declaration up to 72 hours before their journey.

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Rules for Northern Ireland

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Different rules apply when travelling to or from Northern Ireland.

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Anyone carrying €10,000 or more, or its equivalent, between Northern Ireland and a non-EU country must declare the money.

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A declaration is also required when travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland with €10,000 or more.

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However, travellers do not need to declare money when travelling from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, regardless of the amount.

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The rules also apply to groups and families. If the combined amount being carried is €10,000 or more, the group must make a declaration.

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Customs authorities may also require a cash disclosure form when money is sent by freight, post or parcel between Northern Ireland and a non-EU country. This includes money sent from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

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What counts as money under the rules?

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The declaration requirements cover more than banknotes and coins.

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Travellers must declare:

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• Notes and coins.
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• Bearer bonds.
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• Travellers’ cheques.
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• Signed cheques that are not made out to a specific person or organisation.
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For money being carried into or out of Northern Ireland, the rules also cover:

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• Money orders.
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• Gold coins, bullion or nuggets.
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• Prepaid cards.
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Information travellers need to provide

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When making a declaration, travellers must provide details about the money and their journey.

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This includes information about:

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• The person carrying the money, its owner and the intended recipient, including passport or identification details and addresses.
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• The journey, including countries visited in transit, flight numbers or ferry routes.
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• The amount and type of money being carried.
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• Where the money came from and how it was obtained, such as earnings or the sale of an item.
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• What the money will be used for.
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How to declare money when travelling

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Travellers leaving the UK must declare the money before departure.

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Those entering the UK can make a declaration either before travelling or when they arrive at customs.

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Declarations can be made online or by telephone. Travellers who declare online will receive a reference number, which may need to be presented to customs officials at the border.

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Those unable to use the online service can make their declaration by phone.

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Failure to declare money when required can result in enforcement action, including seizure of the money by Border Force officers.

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Travellers planning to enter or leave the UK with large amounts of money are therefore advised to check the applicable customs rules and complete any required declaration before travelling.

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