UAE Dirham (AED) = 100 fils. Notes are in denominations of AED1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of AED1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils (10 and 5 fils coins are rarely used).

The Dirham is tied to the US Dollar.

Most hotels will handle the exchange of foreign currency.

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted.

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

Sat-Wed 0800-1300, Thurs 0800-1200. Some also open Sat-Wed 1630-1800.

Date	Apr 07
£1.00=	AED7.26
$1.00=	AED3.67
Eur;1.00=	AED4.91

The following items may be imported into the United Arab Emirates without incurring customs duty:

• 400 cigarettes and cigars up to AED3000 in value (for personal use) and 2kg of tobacco.
• 4l of spirits or 24 cans of beer (non-Muslims over 18 years only).
• A reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.

Note: It is prohibited to bring alcohol into Sharjah and usually not allowed if entering the UAE by land.

Firearms and dangerous weapons, religious propaganda, unstrung pearls except for personal use, raw seafood (only when visiting Dubai and/or Sharjah), fruit and vegetables from cholera-infected areas.