Won (KRW). Notes are in denominations of KRW10,000, 5000 and 1000. KRW1000 is called Chon Won in Korean (chon means ‘one thousand’). Coins are in denominations of KRW500, 100, 50 and 10.

Foreign banknotes and travellers cheques can be exchanged at foreign exchange banks and other authorised money changers.

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, shops and restaurants in the larger cities. ATMs are available in all major cities, but all instructions are in Korean.

Accepted, but may be difficult to change in smaller towns. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

This is a multi-purpose, pre-paid travel card sold by the Korean National Tourism Office, Shinhan Card and the Shinhan Bank, only to foreign tourists or residents. This card provides discounts on currency charges, international and national calls and provides free travel insurance. The card can be bought in denominations of KRW100,000, 200,000, 300,000, 500,000 or in a customised amount between KRW100,000 and 500,000.

The import and export of local currency is allowed up to KRW8,000,000. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, provided amounts greater than US$10,000 (including traveller's cheques) are declared on arrival. Export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival.

Date	Jul 06
£1.00=	KRW1,749.37
$1.00=	KRW961.05

Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

The following goods may be imported into the Republic of Korea by persons aged 19 and over without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of other tobacco products; one bottle (not exceeding 1l) of alcoholic beverage; 57g of perfume; gifts up to the value of US$400.

Narcotics, drugs, fruit, hay, seeds; printed material, films, records or cassettes considered by the authorities to be subversive, obscene or harmful to national security or public interests; products originating from communist countries.

Firearms, explosives and other weapons and ammunition, even for sporting purposes, unless prior police permission is obtained, and item(s) is/are declared on arrival; plants and and plant products require a phytosanitary certificate issued by the plant quarantine office of the country of origin.