Pinoy travelers urged to declare money in excess of $10,000

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reminded yesterday travelers to declare money in excess of $10,000 or its equivalent in other foreign currencies after some Filipinos were reportedly taken in for investigation at international airports for carrying excess amounts of currency.

Citing a report of the Philippine embassy in The Hague, Netherlands, the DFA said Filipinos had been investigated by foreign authorities and detained for several days for carrying over $10,000, although the money was later proven to be their own.

The embassy said foreign authorities also confiscated their monies.

Travelers should declare if they have more than $10,000 as mandated by the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2002 and international regulations.

Carrying foreign currency during international travel is allowed, but this must be declared under international law.