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Money & duty free for Central African Republic

Currency information: 

CFA (Communauté Financière Africaine) Franc (XAF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of XAF10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of XAF500, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1.

The Central African Republic is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (Bank of West African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

Credit cards: 

Credit cards are not generally accepted, except in major hotels.

ATM: 

There are no international ATM machines and few estabilshments accept major international credit or debit cards.

Travellers cheques: 

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros. Even so, commission rates can be very high.

Banking hours: 

Mon-Fri 0700-1230.

Currency restriction: 

There is no restriction on the import of foreign currency provided it is declared upon arrival. Up to the amount imported and declared can be exported. If importing local currency from Benin (Rep.), Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal or Togo there are no restrictions. If importing local currency from anywhere else it can be up to an amount of XAF75,000.

Currency exchange: 

Currency can be exchanged at banks in Bangui and Berbérati.

Central African Republic duty free

The following goods may be imported by visitors over 18 years of age into the Central African Republic without incurring customs duty:

• 1000 cigarettes or cigarillos or 250 cigars or 2kg of tobacco (for women, cigarettes only).
• Five bottles of alcoholic beverages.
• Five bottles of perfume.

Note: Firearms must be declared before entering. When leaving the Central African Republic, any animal skins and diamonds must be declared. Dogs and cats must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate.

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