Money and duty free for Turkmenistan

Currency and Money

Currency information

New Manat (TMT) = 100 tenge. Notes are in denominations of TMT1,000, 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 tenge.

Credit cards

Not generally accepted.

Travellers cheques

Should be in US currency, but generally not accepted.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0930-1730.

Currency restrictions

The import and export of local currency is prohibited for foreigners. Import of foreign currency is unlimited subject to declaration, and export is limited to the amount declared on import.

Currency exchange

The preferred hard currency is US Dollars and visitors carrying other currencies may find it hard to change them. It is advisable to take new, clean US Dollar notes in small denominations. Foreign currency can be changed at banks and major hotels. Foreigners are expected to pay all travel and hotel bills in hard currency, and prices bear little relation to what locals are expected to pay. Most packages are all-inclusive and extra payment for accommodation and meals is unnecessary.

Turkmenistan duty free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Turkmenistan without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 200g of tobacco (passengers aged 16 and over).
• 2L of alcoholic drinks (passengers aged 21 and over).

On entering the country, you must complete a customs declaration form which you must retain until departure. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables which you must register on the declaration form. Customs inspection can be long and detailed.

Banned Imports

Narcotics, firearms and ammunition.

You must obtain a permit to import plants and certain medicines.

Banned Exports

Narcotics, firearms and ammunition.

You can only export works of art and antiques with permission from the Ministry of Culture.