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Money & duty free for New Caledonia

Currency information: 

French Pacific Franc (CPF). Notes are in denominations of XPF10,000, 5,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of XPF100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1.

New Caledonia is part of the French Monetary Area. Australian and New Zealand dollars are widely accepted in shops, hotels and restaurants. The French Pacific Franc is tied to the Euro. For further details on the Euro, see France section.

Credit cards: 

American Express and Visa are widely accepted; Diners Club and MasterCard have more limited use. ATMs are available in Nouméa, but sometimes have a maximum weekly withdrawal limit.

ATM: 

ATMs are available in Nouméa, but sometimes have a maximum weekly withdrawal limit.

Travellers cheques: 

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros. There is, however, a charge for each transaction.

Banking hours: 

Mon-Fri 0730-1545.

Currency restriction: 

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency if arriving from or travelling to a country in the European Union. Import and export of local or foreign currency is limited to the equivalent of €10,000 if arriving or travelling from a non-European Union country and must be declared above this amount.

Currency exchange: 

Exchange facilities are available at the airport and at main branches of banks, but may charge a steep commission. However, Euro exchange is in theory free from commission.

New Caledonia duty free

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

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco.
• 2L of wine plus 1L of spirits and liquors not exceeding 22% alcohol content, or 2L of spirits and liquors with 22% alcohol content or less.
• 50mL of perfume or 250mL of eau-de-toilette.
• 500g of coffee or 250g of coffee essence.
• 100g of tea or 40g of tea essence.
• Other goods up to a value of XPF30,000 per passenger aged 15 years and older, and XPF15,000 for those aged under 15 years.

Note: Those importing duty-free alcohol and tobacco must be aged 18 years and older. If taking personal and everyday goods, such as cameras, music players and radios, it is advised to carry documents providing legal justification of ownership.

Banned imports: 

Plants, flowers, seeds and earth (except on import permit); meat and other animal products (except with prescribed sanitary certificate).

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