CFA Franc (XAF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of XAF10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of XAF250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Congo is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des États de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro. However, US dollars are the prefered currency.

Diners Club and MasterCard all have limited use. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Hotels in Brazaville and Point Noire accept major credit or debit cards, although prefer cash. One bank in Brazzaville has an ATM.

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros or Pounds Sterling. These are excepted only in the larger cities.

The import and export of local currency is prohibited, except between countries of the Central African group. The import of foreign currency is unrestricted, although amounts over £234/US$335 must be declared upon arrival. Export of foreign currency is restricted to the amount imported. Exchanging money is illegal.

Date	At time of publishing
£1.00=	952.73
$1.00=	541.38

0630-1300 Monday to Friday (counters close at 1130).

The following items may be imported into Congo by visitors over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or one box of cigars or tobacco (women are permitted to import cigarettes only); one bottle of spirits and one bottle of wine; a reasonable quantity of perfume in opened bottles.
Note: If importing expensive items such as watches and cameras, it is advisable to present the receipt.