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Money & duty free for Palestinian National Authority

Currency information: 

There is no national currency. The most commonly used is the New Israeli shekel but Jordanian Dinars and US Dollars are also accepted.

New Shekel (ILS) = 100 agorot (singular, agora). Notes are in denominations of ILS200, 100, 50, and 20. Coins are in denominations of ILS100, 50, 10, 5 and 1, and 50 and 10 agorot.

Dinar (JOD; symbol JD) = 100 piastres or 1,000 fils. Notes are in denominations of JD50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of JD1, 1/2 and 1/4; 10, 5, 2 and 1/2 piastres; and 1 and 1/2 qirsh.

US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of US$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

Credit cards: 

Major credit cards are accepted by most hotels, restaurants and large companies in the main cities. Beyond Jerusalem and Bethlehem, it is advisable to carry sufficient cash. Personal cheques are generally not accepted.

Travellers cheques: 

These are widely accepted. The easiest, most economical currency to exchange is the US Dollar.

Banking hours: 

Sat-Thurs 0800-1230; Sat-Wed 1500-1700.

Currency restriction: 

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency.

Currency exchange: 

Foreign currency is easily exchanged at any bank or money exchange shops. The exchange shops are located throughout Palestine and generally have more convenient opening hours and better exchange rates than banks.

Palestinian National Authority duty free

The following goods may be imported into Israel and the Palestinian National Authority without incurring customs duty (alcohol and tobacco can only be imported by persons aged 17 years and over):

• 250 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco products.
• 1L of spirits and 2L of wine.
• 250mL of eau de cologne or perfume.
• Personal belongings and gifts up to the value of US$200.

Note: There are a number of exceptions to the value limit on personal belongings, so that provided they are for personal use and re-exported, personal computers, musical instruments, cameras (including video), binoculars, person stereos etc may be brought undeclared through the 'Green Channel'. However, if any of these items are new, they must be declared and a refundable deposit paid (credit card guarantee may be used).

Requires approval: Approval by customs is required to take the following items into Israel and the PNA: flowers, plants and seeds, prescription drugs, all animals, mobile phones including built-in computer modem.

Prohibited items: All games of chance, cordless telephones with a range of 900 Mhz or more, fresh meat, most kinds of fruit, and dogs and cats aged under three months.

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