Money & duty free for Turkmenistan
Exchange rates:
US DollarC$1 = US$0.75
€1 = US$1.04
£1 = US$1.24
Currency & Money
New Manat (TMT) = 100 tenge. Notes are in denominations of TMT100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 tenge.
Credit card acceptance in Turkmenistan is very limited. International credit and debit cards are generally accepted only in major hotels, some airline offices, and a small number of high-end or state-run establishments in Ashgabat. Outside these settings, card payments are rarely possible, and visitors should not rely on cards for everyday expenses.
ATMs are not widely available. Those that do exist are mostly found in Ashgabat and may not accept foreign cards consistently. Cash withdrawals are often restricted or unavailable, so visitors should plan to arrive with sufficient cash to cover their stay.
Currency controls in Turkmenistan are strict. The Turkmen manat is the only legal tender for transactions within the country, and using or exchanging foreign currency outside official channels is illegal. Visitors should bring sufficient clean, new US dollar banknotes, as card payments are rare and ATMs are unreliable. Foreign currency must be declared on entry, and the amount that can be taken out of the country is limited, typically between USD 3,000 and USD 10,000 depending on declaration and documentation. Manat cannot be freely converted back into foreign currency on departure, so travellers should plan exchanges carefully and avoid changing more than they expect to spend.
Currency exchange is regulated and should be carried out only at official exchange offices, banks, or authorised hotel counters. Exchange rates are fixed by the state, and exchanging money on the black market is illegal and strongly discouraged. US dollars are the most widely accepted foreign currency for exchange.
Turkmenistan duty free
The following goods may be imported into Turkmenistan by persons aged 18 and over without incurring customs duty:
• Tobacco products: up to 2 packs.
• Alcoholic drinks: up to 1 litre.
• Personal belongings: hand luggage with a maximum total weight of 60 kg, of which up to 1 kg may consist of jewellery.
On entering the country, all travellers must complete a customs declaration form, which must be retained until departure. This declaration allows the temporary import of items intended for personal use, including currency, valuables, and electronic equipment, all of which should be registered on the form.
Customs inspections can be lengthy and detailed, and travellers should be prepared for thorough checks of luggage and documentation. Failure to declare items accurately may result in delays, fines, or confiscation.
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