Customs trouble on cruise: $23,260 disappears in the port!

Customs trouble on cruise: $23,260 disappears in the port!

An Indian cruise passenger recently caused a stir when he was confronted with a significant amount of cash at customs in Canada. On September 3, 2025, the Enchanted Princess cruise ship docked in the port of Saint John, New Brunswick. The passenger was carrying $23,260, which put him in an awkward position as he did not declare this amount to customs authorities.

In Canada there is a legal requirement that cash amounts over 10,000 Canadian dollars must be declared to customs. Because of this rule, the passenger had to pay a fine of 1,600 Canadian dollars (almost 1,000 euros) to get most of his confiscated money back. Although the penalty for failure to declare can be up to 50 percent of the undeclared amount, in this case the amount only fell to five percent.

Background to the regulations

The regulations for registering cash amounts are intended to make money laundering, organized crime and terrorist financing more difficult. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) determined the passenger had no criminal intent. However, it should be noted that cruise lines often handle customs and immigration formalities for their passengers, which can lead to uncertainty about applicable regulations.

Similarly, travelers in Europe, particularly at port stops in the UK, are also required to obtain certain entry permits, regardless of whether they leave the ship or remain on board. These regulations provide additional protection and transparency in international travel.

International cash reporting requirements

According to the regulations of the German customs administration, travelers who enter or leave Germany with cash with a total value of 10,000 euros or more must declare this amount to customs. Equivalent means of payment, such as savings books and precious stones, are also subject to an oral obligation to report to customs controls.

The registration requirement includes cash, gold in various forms and other precious metals. When entering the country, cash must be declared in the red exit. Violations of this registration requirement can be punished with fines of up to one million euros. In addition, people without a permanent residence in Germany often have to provide security for any fines.

Anyone planning to import foreign currencies into Germany should note that they must be converted into euros at the exchange rate on the day of entry. Here too, compliance with legal regulations is of great importance.

The different regulations in Canada and Germany underline the need to thoroughly inform yourself about the respective cash declaration requirements before traveling. Further information is available on the German customs administration website to provide travelers with clarity about the applicable regulations.

These incidents demonstrate the importance of being aware of international travel laws and taking necessary measures to comply with customs regulations. Informed travelers can avoid unpleasant situations.

For detailed information on the cash declaration requirement in Germany, the customs website can be accessed: www.zoll.de. Specific information about the incident on the Enchanted Princess can also be found here: www.cruisetricks.de.