CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc (XAF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of XAF10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of XAF500, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. The Central African Republic is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

Currency can be exchanged at banks in Bangui and Berbérati.

Credit cards are not generally accepted, except in major hotels.

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Euros. Even so, commission rates can be very high.

Import and export of local currency from Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Togo is unlimited; for all other countries the import and export of local currency is limited to XAF75,000. The import of foreign currency is unlimited provided it is declared. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported and declared.

Date	Jul 06
£1.00=	XAF952.48
$1.00=	XAF518.89

Mon-Fri 0700-1230.

The following goods may be imported by visitors over 18 years of age into the Central African Republic without incurring customs duty:
1000 cigarettes or cigarillos or 250 cigars or 2kg of tobacco (for women, cigarettes only); five bottles of alcoholic beverages; five bottles of perfume.

Firearms must be declared before entering. When leaving the Central African Republic, any animal skins and diamonds must be declared. Dogs and cats must be accompanied by a veterinary certificate.