What We Do

• Prepare administrative petitions seeking restitution of the seized currency or securities
• Understand and address the factors must be established to obtain the largest possible amount returned.
• Work closely with the Customs officials who are handling the case to insure the best possible result.

More Details

The laws that require an individual to report if carrying more than $10,000 in cash or negotiable securities was passed long ago, and was originally directed against organized crime. Yet many people legitimately carry more than this amount when traveling--to cover the cost of travel, to pay business expenses, to shop, and for countless other reasons. Yet they respond in the negative when they see the question asked on the baggage declaration they must fill out before landing here. Perhaps they think that if the question is being asked, it is illegal to bring in such amounts. Perhaps they do not want to reveal that they are carrying such sums for fear of theft. As to departing travelers, most are unaware that there is the same reporting requirement when leaving this country. There are no signs reminding one to do so at the airports. Whatever the reason the currency was not declared, Customs has a simple response. It seizes it. In the extreme case, where Customs believes that the monies were knowingly and intentionally concealed, Customs has also referred the matters to the US attorney for the institution of criminal cases under the laws prohibiting money laundering.

Always, the individual has the right to seek the refund of the seized monies. We have been successful, in the usual case in recovering between 90% to 95% of the amounts seized.

Contact Us for More Information

You are welcome to call us to review any area of concern. Contact Stephen M. Zelman, Esq., at 1+ 212.245.6100 for a telephone consultation, with no obligation for any fee. E-mail at stephenzelman@gmail.com.