Cash Sequestration at the Airport or at the Customs over 10.000,00 euros
Dimarco & Partners International Law Firm

Our Lawyers represent customers who had cash seizure in the Airport or at the Custom in Italy. Unfortunately many subjects, especially coming from countries that are not part of the European Union, are not aware that it is not possible to transport more than 10.000,00 euros cash.
If you have more than 10.000,00 euros cash, you shall declare them before entering into the italian territory.
In case you forget to do this declaration, the D.Lgs. 195/2008 and its sanctions are to be applied by the authorities.
In particular, in case you are stopped with an amount overcoming 10.000,00 euros, and a part is seized, you have to contact immediately the attorneys, in order to see how to recover the amounts, if it is possible, in a quick procedure.
The first advise is always to ask for a translator if you don't speak italian.
Then the procedure, depending on the amount of cash that the subject brought with him, is that the authorities will seize 50% of the amounts you are bringing with you exceeding 10.000,00 euros. For example if you have 60.000,00 euros cash, the seizure will be 25.000,00 euros. The money is seized as a guarantee to pay the sanctions that will be determined afterwards.
If you bring with you an amount that does not exceed 49.999,99 euros, it is possible, according to the art. 7 of the D.Lgs. n.195/2008, to pay a smaller sanction if you act fast (maximum 10 days):
- you can pay 5% sanctions if the amount exceeding 10.000,00 euros does not overcome 10.000,00 euros.
- you can pay 15% sanction if the amount exceeding 10.000,00 euros does not overcome 40.000,00 euros.
In case your cash is over those parameters (so if you have more than 50.000,00 euros with you) it is not possible to have the reduced sanction and you shall provide, within 30 days from the inspection, a claim to the MEF (Ministero dell'Economia e delle Finanze).
Our team of lawyers will check your case and see the grounds to obtain the application of the minimum fine or the smallest possible fine.
Our intervention may be useful also to explain to the authorities the origin of the funds, avoiding possible criminal proceedings for anti-money laundering.