No — you generally cannot ship cash through USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL. Cash is prohibited by every major carrier because it's untraceable, irreplaceable if lost, and a target for theft and money laundering. See our shipping restrictions overview for how cash fits with other prohibited items.
If you need to send money, use trackable, insured alternatives: bank transfers, wire transfers, checks, money orders, or certified payment services. Shipping cash risks total loss — if the package is delivered but not received or lost, there's no way to recover the money, and carriers won't insure cash. If you try to ship cash and it's detected, it can be confiscated or returned to sender.
Cash shares its "prohibited" status with other valuables and contraband — see shipping restrictions and related guides on batteries, perfume, alcohol, and medication.
What It Means
Why Cash Is Prohibited
- Untraceable: no serial number tracking; can't prove contents.
- Irreplaceable: if lost or stolen, no insurance covers it.
- Money laundering risk: carriers must comply with anti-money-laundering laws.
- Theft target: cash is the single most stolen item in transit.
- All major carriers prohibit cash in their terms — USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL.
What to Send Instead
- Bank or wire transfer: for domestic and international.
- Personal or cashier's check: trackable, stoppable if lost.
- Money order: trackable, from USPS or banks.
- Digital payment services: fast and traceable.
Why It Happens
Why Cash Is Banned
Cash is anonymous and irreplaceable — exactly what carriers don't want in a system built on tracking and insurance. Anti-money-laundering laws require carriers to refuse cash shipments; see shipping restrictions. Customs also enforces cash-declaration rules at borders, and undeclared cash can be seized — see customs return to sender.
How Long It Lasts
What Happens If You Try
- Detected at sort: package held, cash confiscated or returned to sender.
- Lost in transit: no insurance, no recovery — see how long to wait before reporting a lost package.
- Delivered but not received: no recourse — see delivered but not received.
Should You Be Concerned?
Should You Be Concerned?
Yes — shipping cash is prohibited and risky. You can lose the full amount with no recovery, and you may violate carrier terms or anti-money-laundering laws. Use trackable alternatives instead. If you've already shipped cash and it's lost, see how long to wait before reporting a lost package — but note that cash isn't insurable.
What You Can Do
What You Can Do
- Don't ship cash — use bank transfers, wire, checks, or money orders.
- If you must send value, use insured, trackable alternatives like a cashier's check.
- For collect-on-delivery, see COD — a safer payment-on-delivery option.
- For other restricted items, see batteries, perfume, alcohol, and medication.
- If cash was seized or returned, see return to sender.
When to Contact the Carrier
When to Contact the Carrier
Don't ship cash. If you already did and it's held, contact carrier support — but expect confiscation or return to sender. If you need to send money, contact your bank for wire/transfer options.