Destination Guides
Cote d'Ivoire

 
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Currency

CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc (XOF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of XOF10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of XOF250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Côte d’Ivoire is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des États de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

 
Currency exchange

Currency can be exchanged at the airport as well as at main banks and hotels.

 
Credit & debit cards

American Express and MasterCard are widely accepted; Diners Club and Visa have more limited use.

 
Traveller's cheques

These are accepted in hotels, restaurants and some shops.

 
Currency restrictions

The import of local currency is unlimited. The export of local currency is limited to amounts up to the value of XOF10,000. The import of all foreign currency other than Euros must be declared. The export of foreign currency is limited to amounts up to the equivalent of XOF25,000 or the amount imported and declared on arrival. There is no restriction on the re-export of unused travellers cheques and letters of credit.

 
Exchange rate indicators

Date Jul 06
£1.00= XOF952.45
$1.00= XOF518.93

 
Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0930-1300 and 1400-1730.

 
 
uty Free
 

The following goods may be imported into Côte d’Ivoire by passengers over 15 years of age without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250g of tobacco or 100 cigarillos; one bottle of wine; one bottle of spirits; 0.5l of toilet water and 0.25l of perfume.

 
Restricted items

Duty must be paid on video cameras, which may be imported for personal use only. A deposit must be paid on entry and is refundable on departure. Sporting guns can be imported under licence. Limits are placed on certain other personal effects; contact the Consulate prior to departure.