How much cash can you carry when travelling to these popular international destinations

Whether you’re planning a beach escape to Bali, a romantic stroll through Paris, a cultural deep-dive in Istanbul, or a shopping-filled holiday in London or New York, one practical question matters more than most travellers realise: How much cash can you legally carry into these countries? Cash-carrying limits vary widely across the world, and violating them, even unknowingly, can lead to confiscation of money, heavy fines, and hours of questioning at immigration. What makes this even more confusing is that every destination has its own threshold, documentation rules, and declaration procedures. To help you travel smoothly and avoid any customs trouble, here’s a clear, fact-checked guide to how much cash you can take into these five popular international destinations.

As per the official website https://ecd.beacukai.go.id/, Indonesia is quite clear about cash limits: any amount equal to or above IDR 100,000,000 or IDR 100 million (around USD 6,500) must be declared on arrival. Indonesia doesn’t stop you from bringing in larger sums, but they insist you declare it. Bring in more than this amount without declaration, and the penalties can be steep, including possible confiscation. Most travellers carry far less, but knowing that IDR 100 million is the threshold can save you from an unexpected interruption at Ngurah Rai International Airport.

As per the official website of the European Union https://european-union.europa.eu/index_en, anyone carrying EUR 10,000 or more (or equivalent in other currencies) must declare it at customs. It doesn’t matter whether you arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport or swoop in by train from another country, the rule applies uniformly across the Schengen Area. You can certainly bring in more than EUR 10,000, but only after declaring it. The French authorities take undeclared large sums seriously, and you do not want your holiday beginning with lengthy questioning in a customs office.

Türkiye’s approach to cash importation is relatively traveller-friendly. You can bring in unlimited foreign currency, but any amount worth USD 10,000 or more must be declared. The rule isn’t meant to restrict tourists; rather, it helps Türkiye monitor movement of large sums of money. If you have more than the declaration threshold and choose not to declare it, you risk delays, penalties, or the money being held by customs. For most visitors heading out to explore the Grand Bazaar or the Bosphorus shore, it’s simply a matter of remembering this USD 10,000 benchmark.

Since the UK is no longer part of the European Union, it has its own cash declaration system. As per the official website https://www.gov.uk/ , if you’re arriving from a non-UK country, you must declare GBP 10,000 or more (or the equivalent in other currencies). The declaration can be done online before your arrival or at the border, and failing to declare large sums can result in the cash being seized and even fines. Whether your trip is centred around London’s royal landmarks, museums, or shopping districts, keeping this GBP 10,000 threshold in mind ensures a smooth entry into the country.

As per the official website of U.S. Customs and Border Protections (https://www.cbp.gov/), if you're entering the United States with more than USD 10,000, you must declare it using Customs and Border Protection Form FinCEN 105, either online or at the airport. The USD 10,000 limit applies per family travelling together, not per individual, which often catches travellers off guard. Bring in more without declaring it, and you're likely to face confiscation, secondary inspection, and possible fines.