Money and duty free for Mongolia
Currency and Money
Currency information
The official currency of Mongolia is the Tögrög or Tugrik (MNT; symbol ₮). Notes are in denominations of ₮ 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of ₮ 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are rarely used due to inflation.
Credit cards
Credit cards are accepted at hotels and tourist shops in Ulaanbaatar. However, cash is still king in smaller towns and in the Gobi.
ATM
ATMs are widely available in Ulaanbaatar and other major towns in Mongolia, with most machines accepting international cards, particularly Visa and Mastercard. You can find ATMs in banks, shopping centres, hotels, and some convenience stores, and they dispense cash in Mongolian Tögrög (MNT) only.
ATM access is limited or non-existent in rural areas.
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00.
Currency restrictions
Travellers must declare any amount exceeding 15 million MNT, whether in local currency or its equivalent in foreign currency, upon entering Mongolia. The same rule applies on departure, and travellers may only take out up to the amount they declared on arrival.
Currency exchange
Foreign exchange services are readily available in Mongolia. In Ulaanbaatar, visitors will find currency exchange facilities at banks (such as Khan Bank, Golomt Bank, and the Trade and Development Bank), official exchange bureaus along major streets, major hotels, and of course, at the airport. Commonly accepted currencies include the USD, EUR, CNY, and JPY.
Mongolia duty free
Overview
Travellers aged 18 and above may bring the following items into Mongolia duty-free:
• 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco.
• 1L of spirits and 2L of wine and 3L of beer.
Banned Imports
Banned imports include narcotics, firearms, ammunition, explosives, and materials that are pornographic or incite violence.
Banned Exports
Banned exports include to firearms, ammunition, explosives, historical and cultural artifacts, and endangered animal products.
