Explore the Manual

Make a list of your valuables so you know what you need to plan for and how each item might be handled.

Learn about your main choices: selling, transferring, shipping, or storing your valuables — and when each option makes sense.

Think about costs, availability, taxes, debts, and how your choices may affect your family or your immigration status.

Know what can happen to your belongings in detention and why it’s important to plan ahead to reduce the risk of loss.

Find out how to protect your cash and valuables, and what to do before detention or deportation to keep your property safe.

Learn about your rights, how to get confiscated property returned, and how to appoint someone to help.

This chapter explains the legal rules and practical tips for taking cash, checks, or money orders with you when leaving the U.S. — whether you’re being deported or leaving on your own.

Find out when you must file a special form (FinCEN Form 105) if you’re carrying more than $10,000, and what happens if you don’t.

Understand the risks of carrying large sums of cash or checks, and learn about safer ways to move your money if you’re detained or facing deportation.

You may have unclaimed money you didn’t know about — this section explains how to search for it and claim it.