Australian Border Force (ABF) is warning internationals travellers they must declare any currency they are carrying of $10,000 or more in Australian dollars, or the foreign equivalent.
The warning comes after ABF officers at Melbourne International Airport fined a female Chinese citizen for attempting to bring more than $AUD270,000 in undeclared currency into the country on Sunday (21 July 2024).
A physical examination of the woman's luggage found bundles of Australian and foreign currency concealed in her clothes and footwear.
ABF officers located more cash in the traveller's pockets during a frisk search.
In total, officers located an estimated $AUD271,931 worth of undeclared currency:
- $149,900 in Australian dollars;
- $80,700 in US dollars; and
- $6,660 in Hong Kong dollars.
The woman was fined, her visa cancelled and she has since been returned to China.
Last Thursday (18 July 2024), an Australian citizen returning from Bangkok, Thailand to Perth International Airport was fined after ABF officers found him in possession of undeclared currency totalling the equivalent of $AUD70,595.
ABF Acting Commander Eleanor Grigg said large amounts of currency crossing the border both inbound and outbound can be a sign of criminal activity.
"Criminal organisations smuggle cash to keep their proceeds and related activities away from the scrutiny of financial regulators and law enforcement agencies," Acting Commander Grigg said.
"That money may then be used to fuel other criminal enterprises such as illicit drug trafficking or violent crime against persons and property.
"The ABF is committed to removing funds from the pockets of organised crime groups, and restricting their ability to cause harm to our communities."
There is no limit to the amount of currency passengers can bring in or carry out of Australia; however, amounts of $AUD10,000 or equivalent foreign currency must be declared.
Visit the Australian Border Force website before you travel to know what you can and cannot bring into the country.
