Money
Currency
Uzbek Sum (Sum) = 100 tiyn. Notes are in denominations of Sum1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 3 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1 tiyn.
Currency exchange
Tourists and businesspeople without special status have to pay for hotels, hotel services and transport in hard currency; US Dollars are the most widely acceptable. All bills are normally settled in cash. It is illegal to change money on the black market and penalties can be harsh. Banks and the currency exchange bureaux in major hotels will change at the official rates.
Credit & debit cards
Acceptable in some of the major hotels in tourist centres. Uzbekistan has said that it intends to introduce its own Visa card in the near future.
Travellers cheques
Limited acceptance.
Currency restrictions
The import of foreign currency is unlimited, but should be declared on arrival. Travellers importing sums in excess of US$1000 may be subject to a body search. The export of foreign currency is permitted. Travellers who have imported sums in excess of US$2000 are required to provide proof of lawful exchange into Sum, otherwise a fine of 30 per cent of the amount imported will be payable. The import and export of local currency is unlimited.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Sum against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date | May '04 | Aug '04 | Nov '04 | Feb '05 | | 1.00= | 1799.48 | 1895.80 | 1990.32 | 2011.61 | | $1.00= | 1007.49 | 1029.01 | 1051.02 | 1078.12 |
Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0930-1730.
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