Money and duty free for Tanzania
Currency and Money
Currency information
Tanzanian Shilling (TZS; symbol TSh). Banknotes are in denominations of TSh10,000, 5,000, 2,000, and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of TSh500, 200, and 100, with smaller denominations like TSh50 rarely used. In Kiswahili, it is shilingi, and written prices are often denoted with the symbol /=; i.e., 100/= is the same as TSh100.
Credit cards
Most top-end hotels, safari lodges, airlines and tour operators accept Visa and MasterCard (American Express and Diners Club less so), though a commission of 2-5% is usually charged. Budget hotels and most restaurants and shops do not accept credit cards, and they are rarely accepted for payment outside the main tourist areas.
ATM
Cash easily can be withdrawn from ATMs using Visa or MasterCard. Any sizeable town has at least one bank with an ATM, and there are ATMs at the larger airports. ATMs generally only dispense notes in increments of TSh 10,000 and these larger notes are often hard for people to change – hoard smaller change whenever possible to pay for taxi fares, snacks, souvenirs and the like.
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0830-1530; Sat 0830-1300. Bureaux de change have longer hours and in the cities and in Stone Town on Zanzibar are open on Sundays.
Currency restrictions
Import regulations:
Local Currency (Tanzanian Shilling - TZS): Residents of Tanzania, Kenya, or Uganda may import up to the amount of TZS they previously exported. Non-residents are prohibited from importing TZS.
Foreign Currency: There are no restrictions on importing foreign currencies. However, anyone with foreign currency exceeding USD $10,000 (or its equivalent) must declare it upon arrival.
Export Regulations:
Local Currency (Tanzanian Shilling - TZS): Residents of Tanzania, Kenya, or Uganda may export up to TZS 1,000. Non-residents are prohibited from exporting TZS.
Foreign Currency: There are no restrictions on exporting foreign currencies. However, anyone carrying foreign currency exceeding USD 10,000 (or its equivalent) must declare it upon departure.
Currency exchange
Licensed bureaux de change are prevalent in urban centers and popular tourist destinations. For instance, Kadoo Bureau De Change operates multiple branches across the country, including locations in Arusha, Dodoma, Mwanza, and Moshi.
US dollars, British pounds, and euros can be exchanged at banks and bureaux de change throughout Tanzania, but US dollars remain the most widely accepted foreign currency for major transactions. Hotels, tour operators, and national parks often price services in USD, and it is required for visa-on-arrival fees and park entry payments. However, due to concerns about counterfeiting, Tanzanian banks and businesses prefer US dollar bills printed in 2010 or later, and older notes may be rejected. Additionally, all bills should be in good condition—torn, marked, or damaged notes are not accepted. While larger denominations ($50 and $100) often fetch better exchange rates, carrying a mix of smaller bills is advisable for convenience.
Tanzania duty free
Overview
The following duty-free allowance apply to travellers over 17 entering Tanzania, excluding those returning from neighbouring countries:
• Perfume and Eau de Toilette: Up to 500 ml, with no more than 125 ml can be perfume.
• Tobacco Products: A combined total not exceeding 250 grams, which may include cigarettes, cigars, cheroots, cigarillos, tobacco, and snuff.
Banned Imports
Prohibited imports include: counterfeit currency and goods, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, hazardous waste, pornographic materials, certain wildlife products under CITES regulations, counterfeit and substandard medicines, and goods that threaten national security.
Banned Exports
The export of gold, diamonds and tanzanite unless bought from a licensed jeweller is prohibited. Exporting souvenirs made from wildlife skins (this includes reptiles), shells and coral is forbidden.
