Home › Travel Guides › Africa Travel Guide › Ethiopia › Money & duty free for Ethiopia

Money & duty free for Ethiopia

Currency information: 

Ethiopian Birr (ETB; symbol Br) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Br100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

Credit cards: 

Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted on a very limited basis.

Travellers cheques: 

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. They are difficult to exchange outside the capital.

Banking hours: 

Mon-Thurs 0800-1500; Fri 0800-1100 and 1330-1500; Sat 0830-1100.

Currency restriction: 

The import of local currency is limited to Br100. The export of local currency up to Br100 is permitted, provided the traveller holds a re-entry permit. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration on arrival.

Currency exchange: 

US Dollar bills are the most convenient currency to exchange.

Ethiopia duty free

The following goods may be imported into Ethiopia without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 227g of tobacco.
• 1L of alcoholic beverages.
• Two bottles or 500mL of perfume.
• Gifts up to the value of Br500.

Note: Export certificates are required for skins, hides and antiques.

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.