€39,000 in Cash Found at Border: BiH Traveler Pays a Heavy Price
At the Županja Bridge border crossing, customs officers discovered undeclared money in several currencies in a car and luggage.
At the Županja Bridge border crossing, customs officers discovered undeclared money in several currencies in a car and luggage.
In August 2026, specifically on August 3, a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina was stopped at the Županja Bridge border crossing while attempting to enter the European Union. In his personal luggage and wallet, customs officers found cash totaling approximately €39,000, which the traveler had not declared. The money was distributed across several envelopes and in the wallet, with a total of €36,745, 600 Swiss francs, and $1,000 US dollars found.
According to the Croatian Customs Administration, the man was driving a passenger car with Austrian license plates. During a routine check, customs officers decided to inspect the luggage and then came across the money, which was divided into several parts. The traveler did not declare the cash, which constitutes a violation of regulations.
Due to the offense under Article 41 of the Foreign Exchange Act, the BiH citizen was issued a misdemeanor order with a fine of €11,490. This amount represents nearly a third of the total value of the cash he attempted to bring in without declaring it.
The Customs Administration emphasizes that any person entering or leaving the European Union is required to declare cash amounting to €10,000 or more, or the equivalent in other currencies. The declaration must be submitted on the prescribed form, either in writing or electronically, to the Customs Administration or border police.
It is important to note that declaring does not mean a ban on transferring larger amounts; rather, the traveler must provide information about the owner, recipient, origin, and purpose of the money. These rules aim to prevent money laundering and the financing of illegal activities.
This case serves as a warning that undeclared cash can be discovered during routine inspections, even if it is hidden in multiple places. Customs officers have the authority to request documentation and explanations, and in certain cases, they may temporarily seize the money. Timely declaration can help travelers avoid lengthy procedures, potential retention of funds, and the payment of legal fines.
