There are very strict rules governing the amount of cash you can take in or out of the UK.
You may however be required to declare the cash you take in to other EU countries. It is therefore advisable to check with the authorities in the country you’re travelling to.
Different rules apply if you are you are travelling outside the EU. You must declare cash of €10,000 (£6,760) or more (or the equivalent in another currency) if you take it between the UK and any non-EU country.
Cash includes: notes and coins; bankers’ drafts; and cheques of any kind (including travellers’ cheques).
If you’re travelling as a family you need to declare cash over €10,000.
For the purposes of this requirement, the countries of the EU are: 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).
How to declare cash
1. Download and fill in form C9011 or get a copy at the port or airport.
2. Make a copy – if you fill in the form at the port or airport, it automatically makes a carbon copy.
3. Leave a copy in the drop-box at the port or airport and keep the other to show custom officers.
It is risky for you to fail to declare cash over €10,000. You could face a penalty of up to £5,000 if you don’t declare your cash or give incorrect information.
Your declared cash can be seized by customs officers if they have reasonable grounds to suspect a crime. They can keep the cash for 48 hours – after that they need a court order.
Click here to download Form C9011