More Than $93K Seized At Philly Airport From Qatar-Bound Family
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Customs and Border Patrol agents seized more then $93,000 from a Michigan family that was flying out of Philadelphia International Airport on the way to Qatar.
No charges were filed, but it may be a cautionary tale for anyone flying overseas this summer.
CBP spokesman Steve Sapp says travelers can carry as much cash as they wish in and out of the country.
It's not taxed, there's no penalty.
All they have to do is report it, if it's over $10,000.
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When agents stopped the Michigan family, they explained this to the father and gave him three chances to answer honestly. But each time, he said he had only $12,000, apparently not convincingly, because the agents searched the family.
"Between him, his wife and his adult child, they had a combined $93,393 concealed on their person," Sapp said.
He says as a humanitarian gesture, they gave the family $3,000 back and let them go on their way, but he hopes other travelers will consider the risk before they try to sneak cash out of the country.
"Tell us what you have and you have more than $10,000, we'll just have you sign a form," he said.