Money & duty free for Kazakhstan
Exchange rates:
Kazakh TengeC$1 = лв250.15
€1 = лв350.26
£1 = лв415.29
US$1 = лв335.55
Currency & Money
Kazakh Tenge (KZT; symbol лв). Notes are in denominations of лв 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500 and 200. Coins are in denominations of лв 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1.
Major European and international credit cards, including Diners Club and Visa, are accepted in the larger hotels in Almaty and in major shops and restaurants. Facilities exist for credit card cash withdrawals in Kazakhstan.
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars. Traveller's cheques are accepted at larger hotels and at banks in the big cities.
The import of local currency is unlimited, provided it is declared on arrival; the import of foreign currency is unlimited, provided amounts exceeding US$3,000 or equivalent are declared on arrival. A proof of origin is needed for amounts of foreign currency exceeding the equivalent of US$10,000. The export of local currency is prohibited. The export of foreign currency is unlimited, provided the amounts exported do not exceed the imported amounts and a proof of origin is given for amounts exceeding the equivalent of US$10,000.
The national currency, the Tenge, may only be obtained within Kazakhstan. Conversion of the Tenge back into hard currency may prove difficult. Foreign currency should only be exchanged at official bureaux and all transactions must be recorded on the currency declaration form that is issued on arrival. It is wise to retain all exchange receipts, although they are seldom inspected. Unless travelling with a licensed tourist company (in which case, accommodation, transport and meals are paid before departure), money should be brought in US Dollars cash and exchanged when necessary.
Kazakhstan duty free
The following goods may be imported into Kazakhstan by travellers over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 3L of alcoholic beverages.
• Other goods for personal use up to the value of €500 and up to 25kg (by land) or up to the value of €10,000 weighing no more than 50kg in total (by air).
• Medicines for personal use. Please note: Medications that are considered narcotics are considered drugs in larger quantities. The importation of drugs is prohibited.
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. You must export these at the end of the stay. Customs inspection can be long and detailed. It is advisable to keep receipts for items bought in Kazakhstan in order to avoid difficulties at customs on departure.
Photographs and printed matter directed against Kazakhstan, military arms and ammunition, narcotics and live animals.
Food must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.
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