Money and duty free for Bahamas

Currency and Money

Currency information

Bahamian Dollar (BSD; symbol B$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of B$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1, and 50 cents. Coins are in denominations of 25, 15, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

The Bahamian Dollar has parity with the US Dollar and the latter is also accepted as legal tender.

Credit cards

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are available on the major islands in airport terminals, at banks, casinos and at other convenient locations.

ATM

ATMs are available on the major islands in airport terminals, at banks, casinos and at other convenient locations.

Travellers cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Banking hours

Mon-Thurs 0930-1500/1600, Fri 0930-1700.

Currency restrictions

The import and export of local and foreign currencies, monetary means and precious metals or precious stones are unlimited. However, amounts exceeding BS$10,000 or equivalent must be declared by all travellers. 

Currency exchange

Available in banks, bureaux de change and hotels.

Bahamas duty free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into the Bahamas by persons aged over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars.

Banned Imports

Prohibited imports include indecent or obscene material, meat, provisions, fruits and vegetables, and any articles intended for human food, which are unfit for human consumption, counterfeit currency and underwater guns other than the device known as a Hawaiian Sling.

Restricted imports include firearms, fireworks and firecrackers, trailer caravans for use as living quarters, offices, workshops, or similar purposes, unless specifically authorized by the Minister, mechanical games and devices set in operation wholly and partly by insertion.

Banned Exports

Goods manufactured or produced more than 100 years ago are subject to export restrictions (eg historical and archaeological artefacts or zoological/botanical specimens).