Money and duty free for Botswana
Currency and Money
Currency information
Botswana Pula (BWP; symbol P) = 100 thebe. Notes are in denominations of P100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of P5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 thebe.
Credit cards
Major credit cards are accepted in tourist areas.
ATM
ATMs are available in major cities and towns, and most only accept Visa. Maestro cards are not generally accepted.
Travellers cheques
Travellers' cheques aren't popular now and are only accepted at some banks.
Banking hours
Banks open 0800 and 0900, Mon-Sat, closing between 1615 and 1715 on weekdays and 1045 and 1200 on Saturdays.
Currency restrictions
Import of Botswana pula and foreign currencies is unlimited, although declaration is obligatory for amounts exceeding P10,000 or the equivalent value. The export of foreign currencies is permitted up to the amount declared upon arrival. Export of Botswana pula is up to P50.
Currency exchange
Money should be exchanged in banks at market rates. The main commercial banks include Bank of Baroda, Barclays Bank of Botswana, First National Bank, Stanbic Bank Botswana and Standard Chartered Bank with branches in major towns and villages. Owing to limited facilities in small villages, it is advisable to change money at the airport or in major towns. There are also bureaux de changes at major border posts. Safari lodges accept payment in US dollars.
Botswana duty free
Overview
The following goods may be imported into Botswana without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes and 20 cigars and 250g of tobacco (18 years and older).
• 2L of wine and 1L of spirits (18 years and older).
• 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.
• Goods up to the value of R500 (South African Rand) from within the SACU zone (Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Eswatini) and to the value of R3,000 from outside the zone.
Banned Imports
Prohibited imports include firearms, ammunition, narcotics and pornography.
You may bring in small amounts of fresh food, but you require an import licence for larger amounts. Note that the import regulations on meat change regularly according to disease outbreaks in different countries.
