Crossing the border with cash
November 2021 – As part of the fight against money laundering activities, the European Union has had rules in place since 2014 that require you to declare the cash you have on you when you cross the border. This declaration is mandatory as soon as you have more than 10 000€ in cash on you. The existing rules were tightened in 2021.
Entering or leaving the European Union
A distinction must be made between moving within the EU and crossing the EU's external borders (such as from the UK, Switzerland, the US, etc.).
If you are crossing the EU's external borders - whether you are entering or leaving - you must make a cash declaration as soon as you have 10 000€ or more in your pocket. This includes not only cash in the form of euro banknotes, but also their equivalent in other currencies, bonds, shares or travellers' cheques.
Customs are competent to check you at the border and, in the event of non-declaration, to detain the cash found.
On 3 June 2021, the rules were tightened.
Firstly, the concept of cash has been extended. You now also have to submit a cash declaration if, while entering or leaving the EU, you are carrying valuables worth 10 000€ or more. Since 3 June, the declaration obligation covers
banknotes and coins (including those no longer in circulation that can still be exchanged at a financial institution)
bearer negotiable instruments, such as cheques, travellers' cheques, promissory notes and money orders
coins containing at least 90% gold;
ingots or nuggets containing at least 99.5% gold.
Secondly, customs may ask you to file a cash disclosure declaration if they discover that you have sent unaccompanied cash worth €10 000 by parcel, freight or mail. This declaration must be made within 30 days by the recipient, the sender or a representative appointed by them.
Finally, customs can now also intervene if there are indications that the cash is linked to criminal activities, even if the traveller has less than 10 000€ in his pocket.
Crossing the Belgian border
But you may also have to make a declaration, even if you stay in the European Union. If you enter Belgium from another EU Member State or leave Belgium to go to another EU Member State, you now have to declare cash worth 10 000€ or more, if requested by customs. Unaccompanied cash (e.g. sent by parcel) must also be declared if requested by customs.
However, this declaration obligation only applies to cash and bearer negotiable instruments. Gold does not have to be declared.
As when crossing the EU's external borders, customs may also request a declaration if the value of the cash is less than 10 000 euros, but there is a suspicion of criminal activity.
Infringements can lead to the withholding of money, but this can only last for 14 days.
The new Belgian regulation has been in force since 4 September 2021.
