Can TSA Seize Money at the Airport?
Many travelers ask whether the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has the power to confiscate cash. The answer is simple: No, TSA agents do not have the legal authority to seize or forfeit money. Their role is limited to aviation security—screening passengers and luggage for weapons, explosives, or other threats to flight safety.
That said, travelers are often surprised when carrying a large amount of money attracts unwanted attention. While TSA cannot seize your cash, agents frequently report discoveries to law enforcement, triggering further investigation.
Attorney for Seizures for Forfeiture Involving TSA
Although TSA itself cannot seize money, its involvement often triggers forfeiture actions by federal or local law enforcement. Our attorneys represent travelers nationwide in fighting to recover seized cash. We focus on challenging the legality of the stop, detention, and seizure, including:
- Whether TSA exceeded its authority in holding you,
- Whether law enforcement extended the detention without cause, and
- Whether the seizure was supported by probable cause or conducted without a warrant.
The only reliable way to contest a seizure is to demand court action. Administrative petitions for remission or mitigation rarely succeed in returning property.
If officers seized your currency after a TSA screening, time is critical. Filing a verified claim preserves your rights and forces the government to act within a specific deadline. With experienced legal counsel, you may recover your funds and even challenge the legality of the original detention.
Call 813-250-0500.
How TSA Referrals Lead to Seizures
When TSA spots large amounts of currency in a carry-on bag, they may alert federal or local law enforcement officers. This can happen in two ways:
- Detaining the traveler at the checkpoint until officers arrive; or
- Quietly notifying other agents with details such as:
- The traveler’s location and destination,
- The airline and gate number,
- The estimated amount of cash being carried.
From there, agencies like Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), or airport police may step in. Once involved, those agencies have the authority to seize the money under civil or criminal asset forfeiture laws.
The Seizure Process After TSA Contact
If officers believe the money is linked to drug trafficking, money laundering, or another unlawful activity, they may take it on the spot. In most cases, the traveler will then receive a Notice of Seizure by mail. The notice explains the government’s claimed basis for forfeiture and sets strict deadlines to respond.
Importantly, you are not required to wait for the notice before fighting back. By filing a verified claim immediately, you can force the government into court, where it must either return the money or file a forfeiture case within 90 days.
Problems with Ignoring a Seizure Notice
Some travelers assume that ignoring a seizure letter is safer, but that choice can have lasting consequences. CBP maintains a record of forfeiture cases, and failing to contest the action may create a permanent “red flag” tied to your name. That notation can cause serious problems with future international travel or financial activity.
If your funds came from a legitimate source and were intended for a lawful purpose, the better option is to challenge the seizure with the help of an attorney.
This article was last updated on Friday, August 22, 2025.
