Destination Guides
Malawi

 
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Currency

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.

 
Currency exchange

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

 
Credit & debit cards

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

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.

 
Currency restrictions

The import of local currency is unlimited. The export of local currency is limited to K200. The import of foreign currency is unlimited on arrival. The export of foreign currency is allowed up to the amount imported and declared on entry.

 
Exchange rate indicators

Date Jul 06
£1.00= MWK252.64
$1.00= MWK138.75

 
Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1400.

 
 
uty Free
 

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.

 
Prohibited items

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