US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of US$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are in denominations of US$1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

Hotels do not, as a rule, exchange currency and only a few major banks will exchange foreign currency, so it is advisable to arrive with US Dollars.

Most major credit cards are accepted throughout the USA, including American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available. Visitors are advised to carry at least one major credit card, as it is common to request prepayment or a credit card imprint for hotel rooms and car hire, even when final payment is not by credit card.

Widely accepted in hotels, stores and restaurants, provided they are US Dollar cheques; Sterling traveller's cheques are not acceptable and few banks will change these. Change is issued in US Dollars. It should be noted that many banks do not have the facility to cash traveller's cheques (the US banking system differs greatly from that of the UK) and those that do are likely to charge a high commission. One or (in some cases) two items of identification (passport, credit card, driving licence) may also be required. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

There are no limits on the import or export of either foreign or local currency. However, amounts in excess of US$10,000 or the equivalent (including foreign currency, traveller's cheques, money orders and ‘bearer bonds’) must be registered with US Customs on Form 4790. Failure to do so may result in civil and criminal prosecution, including seizure of the money. There is an embargo on transactions of US currency with Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya and Korea (Democratic People's Republic of).

Date	At time of publishing
£1.00=	US$1.74

Variable, but generally Mon-Fri 0900-1500.

The following goods may be imported by visitors over 21 years of age into the USA without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 2kg of smoking tobacco or proportionate amounts of each; 0.95l (1qt) of alcoholic beverage; gifts or articles up to a value of US$100.

(a) Items should not be gift-wrapped, as they must be available for customs inspection. (b) The alcoholic beverage allowance (see above) is the national maximum; certain States allow less and if arriving in those States, the excess will be taxed or withheld. (c) For information about the importation of pets, refer to the brochure Pets, Wildlife – US Customs, available at US Embassies and Consulates. (d) Further information on US customs regulations is available online (website: www.customs.ustreas.gov).

The following are either banned or may only be imported under licence:
(a) Narcotics and dangerous drugs, unless for medical purposes (doctor’s certificate required). (b) Absinthe, biological materials, some seeds, fruits and plants (including endangered species of plants and vegetables and their products). (c) Firearms and ammunition (with some exceptions – consult Customs’ website). (d) Hazardous articles (fireworks, toxic materials), including matches and match books (unless packed tightly in a closed container). (e) Meat and poultry products – fresh, dried or canned. (f) Any fish (unless certified as disease free) or their eggs, unless canned, pickled or smoked. (g) Dairy products and eggs. (h) Cuban cigars, brought from any country. (i) Wildlife and endangered species, including crustaceans, molluscs, eggs, game and hunting trophies and crafted articles of any part thereof. (j) Dog and cat fur. (k) Some art and artefacts (such as Pre-Columbian monumental and architectural sculpture and murals from South America). (l) Imports from Iran and leather souvenirs from Haiti (eg drums). (m) Some automobiles. (n) More than one article (limited to once every 30 days) displaying a counterfeit or confusingly similar logo to trademarked and copyrighted articles. (o) Merchandise from embargoed countries: Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Serbia & Montenegro and Sudan; information materials (pamphlets, books, tapes, films and recordings) are permitted, except from Iraq.

Gold coins, medals and bullion, formerly prohibited, may be brought into the USA, except from embargoed countries (see above).