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Money & duty free for Kyrgyzstan

Currency information: 

Kyrgyz Som (KGS; symbol лв) = 100 tyin. Notes are in denominations of лв1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 50, 10 and 1 tyin. Coins exist in denominations of 1,3, 5 and 10 som, and 10 and 50 tyin.

Credit cards: 

Credit cards are accepted in some of the larger hotels and restaurants in Bishkek and can also be used at banks to withdraw cash from the counter. They are of little value outside the main cities. ATMs exist but are hardly commonplace in Bishkek or Osh and even less so elsewhere.

ATM: 

ATMs are easy enough to find in Bishkek, although smaller cities like Jalal-Abad and Osh have far fewer. Some ATMs issue US dollars as well as Kyrgyz Som.

Travellers cheques: 

There is limited acceptance of these, but some banks in Bishkek accept traveller's cheques, with US Dollars probably the best option; commission charges are high. Cash is recommended, with US dollars in the form of US$50 and US$100 bills being the most readily accepted.

Banking hours: 

Usually Mon-Fri 0930-1730.

Currency restriction: 

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. However, amounts exceeding US$10,000 or equivalent must be declared.

Currency exchange: 

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at commercial banks and at authorised bureaux de change. The US Dollar is the easiest currency to exchange.

Kyrgyzstan duty free

The following goods may be imported into Kyrgyzstan by travellers of 16 years or over without incurring customs duty:

• 1000 cigarettes or 1000g of tobacco products.
• 1.5L of alcoholic beverages and 2L of wine.
• A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.

Note: On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form which must be retained until departure, and then handed over on the international flight leaving any CIS country. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables which must be registered on the declaration form. Customs inspection can be long and detailed.

Banned imports: 

Military weapons and ammunition (subject to special permit); narcotics; fruit and vegetables; live animals (subject to special permit); photographs and printed matter directed against Kyrgyzstan; anything owned by a third party that is to be carried in for that third party.

Banned exports: 

As prohibited imports, as well as precious metals and articles, works of art and antiques (unless permission has been granted by the Ministry of Culture), furs.

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