Egyptian Pound (EGP; symbol E£) = 100 piastres. Notes are in denominations of E£100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, 50 piastres and 25 piastres. Coins are in denominations of 20, 10 and 5 piastres.

Available at banks, official bureaux de change and most hotels. Banks often have better exchange rates than bureaux de change or hotels. All common international currencies are accepted.

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted, but generally only in bigger hotels or restaurants in Cairo and restaurants in tourist areas.

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling.

Sun-Thurs 0830-1400.

Date	Apr 07
£1.00=	E£11.28
$1.00=	E£5.71
Eur;1.00=	E£7.62

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

• 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200g of tobacco.
• 1l of alcoholic beverages.
• 1l of perfume or eau de cologne.
• Gifts up to the value of E£500.

Note: Persons travelling with valuable electronic equipment such as cameras, video cameras or computers may be required to list these in their passports to ensure that they will be exported on departure.
All cash, travellers cheques and gold over E£500 should be declared on arrival.

Narcotics, firearms, cotton, gold and silver purchased locally unless for personal use only and in small quantities; for a full list, contact the Egyptian Commercial Office, 23 South Street, London W1L 2XD (tel: (020) 7499 3002).