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Money & duty free for Uruguay

Currency information: 

Peso Uruguayo (UYU; symbol $U) = 100 centécimos. Notes are in the denominations of $U2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of $U10, 5, 2 and 1 and 50 centécimos.

Credit cards: 

MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Diners Club are the most commonly used credit cards. All are widely accepted in major tourist and business destinations including Montevideo, Punta del Este and Colonia del Sacramento. In rural areas, it's best to carry cash as many businesses will not accept credit cards.

ATM: 

ATMs marked with the green Banred or blue Redbrou logo are reliable and available in all cities, as well as some smaller towns. These serve all major international banking networks, including Cirrus, Visa, MasterCard and Maestro.

Travellers cheques: 

Traveller's Cheques can still be cashed at some banks and exchange shops in major tourist hubs. US Dollar traveller's cheques are more widely accepted than those issued in Euros or Sterling.

Banking hours: 

Mon-Fri 1300-1700.

Currency restriction: 

Local currency and foreign currency may be imported and exported up to the equivalent of US$10,000; larger amounts must be declared.

Currency exchange: 

Visitors are advised to buy local currency at banks and exchange shops, as hotels tend to give unfavourable rates. Inflation in Uruguay, though less severe than in other Latin American countries, leads to frequent fluctuations in the exchange rate.

Uruguay duty free

The following items may be imported into Uruguay without incurring customs duty (50% of these allowances for persons under 18 years of age):

(a) Residents of Uruguay arriving from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile or Paraguay (maximum once a month):
• 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 1L of alcohol.
• 2kg of foodstuffs.

Total value of exempted imports not to exceed US$300 if arriving by sea or air or US$150 if arriving by land.

(b) Residents of Uruguay arriving from other countries (once a year):
• 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco.
• 2L of alcohol.
• 5kg of foodstuffs.

Total value of exempted imports not to exceed US$500 if arriving by sea or air.

(c) All other nationals:
• 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco.
• 2L of alcohol.
• 5kg of foodstuffs.
• Two articles of the following electrical, optical and electronic equipment: portable radio, photo camera, movie camera, movie projector, typewriter and slide projector.

Note: All plants and plant derivatives must be accompanied by a sanitary certificate.

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