Money and duty free for Macau

Currency and Money

Currency information

Pataca (MOP; symbol MOP$) = 100 avos. Notes are in denominations of MOP$1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. They are issued by two different banks, the Banco Nacional Ultramarino and the Bank of China, each of which uses its own designs. Coins are issued centrally in denominations of MOP$10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20 and 10 avos. The pataca is loosely pegged to the Hong Kong dollar, but within Macau the two currencies are generally interchangeable – in fact the Hong Kong currency is preferred in some circumstances (such as in some casinos). Note that patacas cannot be used in Hong Kong, and can be difficult to change once you have left the territory of Macau.

Credit cards

Major credit cards are accepted.

ATM

Numerous ATMs are available for cash withdrawal by international debit or credit cards, many of them dispensing both patacas and Hong Kong dollars.

Travellers cheques

These may be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and large hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars, Pounds Sterling or Euros.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1700, Sat 0900-1200. Some banks and branches are open slightly longer hours.

Currency restrictions

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

Currency exchange

Foreign currency can be exchanged at hotels, banks and licensed bureaux de change. There are 24-hour exchange counters at Macau International Airport (Taipa Island). Transaction fees can be high at banks, although they generally offer a better exchange rate than private moneychangers.

Macau duty free

Overview

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

• 19 cigarettes or 1 cigars or 25g of tobacco.
• 1L of alcohol over 30% volume.

Banned Imports

Prohibited or restricted items include firearms and ammunition, narcotics, transceivers, chemicals and pharmaceutical products, and endangered species.