Kyrgyz Som (KGS) = 100 tyin. Notes are in denominations of KGS1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 50, 10 and 1 tyin.

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at commercial banks and at authorised bureaux de change. The US Dollar is the easiest currency to exchange.

Credit cards are accepted in some of the larger hotels in Bishkek and can also be used at banks to withdraw cash from the counter.

There is limited acceptance of these, but some banks in Bishkek accept traveller’s cheques, with US Dollars probably the best option; commission charges are high. Cash is recommended.

Usually Mon-Fri 0930-1730.

Date	Apr 07
£1.00=	KGS76.11
$1.00=	KGS38.50
Eur;1.00=	KGS51.47

The following goods may be imported into Kyrgyzstan by travellers of 16 years or over without incurring customs duty:

• 1000 cigarettes or 1000g of tobacco products.
• 1.5l of alcoholic beverages and 2l of wine.
• A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use.

Note: On entering the country, tourists must complete a customs declaration form which must be retained until departure, and then handed over on the international flight leaving any CIS country. This allows the import of articles intended for personal use, including currency and valuables which must be registered on the declaration form. Customs inspection can be long and detailed.

Military weapons and ammunition (subject to special permit); narcotics; fruit and vegetables; live animals (subject to special permit); photographs and printed matter directed against Kyrgyzstan; anything owned by a third party that is to be carried in for that third party. If there are any queries regarding items that may be imported, an information sheet is available on request from Intourist.

As prohibited imports, as well as precious metals and articles, works of art and antiques (unless permission has been granted by the Ministry of Culture), furs.