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Money & duty free for Kazakhstan

Currency information: 

Kazakh Tenge (KZT; symbol лв). Notes are in denominations of лв 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500 and 200. Coins are in denominations of лв 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1.

Credit cards: 

Major European and international credit cards, including Diners Club and Visa, are accepted in the larger hotels in Almaty and in major shops and restaurants. Facilities exist for credit card cash withdrawals in Kazakhstan.

Travellers cheques: 

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Banking hours: 

Mon-Fri 0900-1800. Banks close for lunch 1300-1400. All banks are closed Sat-Sun.

Currency restriction: 

The import of local currency is unlimited, provided it is declared on arrival; the import of foreign currency is unlimited, provided amounts exceeding US$3,000 or equivalent are declared on arrival. The export of local currency is allowed, provided it does not exceed the amount imported and declared on arrival (if export exceeds import, special bank permission is required); the export of foreign currency is unlimited, provided amounts exceeding US$3,000 or equivalent are declared.

Currency exchange: 

The national currency, the Tenge, may only be obtained within Kazakhstan. Conversion of the Tenge back into hard currency may prove difficult. Foreign currency should only be exchanged at official bureaux and all transactions must be recorded on the currency declaration form that is issued on arrival. It is wise to retain all exchange receipts, although they are seldom inspected. Unless travelling with a licensed tourist company (in which case, accommodation, transport and meals are paid before departure), money should be brought in US Dollars cash and exchanged when necessary.

Kazakhstan duty free

The following goods may be imported into Kazakhstan by persons over 16 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 1000 cigarettes or 1kg of tobacco products.
• 2L of spirits or 2L of wine.
• A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.
• Gifts up to the value of US$500 for personal use only.

Note: On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form, which must be retained until departure. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables, which must be registered on the declaration form. They must be exported at the end of the stay. Customs inspection can be long and detailed. It is advisable to keep receipts for items bought in Kazakhstan in order to avoid difficulties at customs on departure.

Banned imports: 

Military weapons and ammunition; narcotics; pornography; live animals (unless with special permit); photographs or other printed materials aimed against Kazakhstan; pigeons; gold and silver (except personal jewellery) and articles containing precious stones or pearls; anything owned by a third party that is to be carried in for that third party.

Banned exports: 

As prohibited imports, as well as annulled securities, state loan certificates, lottery tickets, works of art and antiques (unless permission has been granted by the Ministry of Culture), saiga horns, Siberian stag, punctuate and red deer antlers (unless on organised hunting trip), and punctuate deer skins.

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