Kwacha (MWK) = 100 tambala. Notes are in denominations of MWK500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of MWK1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 tambala.

US Dollars, Pounds Sterling, Euros or South African Rand are readily exchanged but lesser-known currencies may prove difficult to exchange.

Acceptance of credit and debit cards is very limited, although in Lilongwe and Blantyre and in main hotels, American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa can be used.

Traveller’s cheques can be exchanged in banks, hotels and other institutions. In remote areas, the Treasury Office of Local District Commissioner’s offices will cash traveller’s cheques. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in US Dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling or South African Rand.

Mon-Fri 0800-1400.

Date	Apr 07
£1.00=	MWK276.29
$1.00=	MWK139.79
Eur;1.00=	MWK186.87

The following goods may be imported into Malawi by passengers without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 225g of tobacco in any form.
• For those over 16 years of age, also 1l of spirits and 1l of beer and 1l of wine.

Restricted items
The import of firearms is prohibited unless a permit has been bought in advance from the Registrar of Firearms, Box 41, Zomba.