Money and duty free for Bangladesh

Currency and Money

Currency information

Bangladesh Taka (BDT) = 100 paisa. Notes are in denominations of BDT500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of BDT5 and 1, and 25 and 50 paisa.

Credit cards

Credit cards are not generally accepted for payment of goods outside the capital. ATMs (Standard Chartered Bank) are becoming increasingly common and can be found in Dhaka, Chittagong, Bogra, Sylhet and Khulna. HSBC has ATMs in Dhaka and Chittagong.

ATM

ATMs (Standard Chartered Bank) are becoming increasingly common and can be found in Dhaka, Chittagong, Bogra, Sylhet and Khulna. HSBC has ATMs in Dhaka and Chittagong. It is safest to withdraw money from the private booths at Standard Chartered Banks.

Travellers cheques

Can be exchanged on arrival at Dhaka Airport. US Dollars are the preferred currency, followed by Pounds Sterling.

Banking hours

Sat-Wed 0900-1500, Thurs 0900-1300. Some banks may close on Saturdays.

Currency restrictions

The import and export of local currency is limited to BDT100. The import of foreign currency is allowed up to the equivalent of US$1,000, but amounts greater than US$150 must be declared. The export of foreign currency is limited to US$150, or the amount declared on arrival.

Currency exchange

All foreign currency exchanged must be entered on a currency declaration form. Hotel bills must be paid in a major convertible currency or with traveller's cheques. Many shops in the cities will offer better rates of exchange than the banks.

Bangladesh duty free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Bangladesh by travellers over 18 years old without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 225g of tobacco.
• 2 bottles of alcoholic beverages, which may have together a total volume of 2L.
• 284ml of perfume.
• Personal jewellery with a value of up to BDT3000.

• Food and non-alcoholic beverages with a value of up to BDT100.

You can buy duty-free items at Dhaka Airport's duty-free shop on arrival.

Banned Imports

Firearms and some animals.