Money and duty free for Ivory Coast

Currency and Money

Currency information

CFA (Communauté Financière Africaine) Franc (XOF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of XOF10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 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.

Credit cards

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

Travellers cheques

These are accepted in hotels, restaurants and some shops.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0930-1300 and 1400-1730.

Currency restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local of foreign currency. However large amounts must be declared at customs and visitors must prove it is theirs.

Currency exchange

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

Ivory Coast duty free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into the Ivory Coast by travellers aged 15 and over without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 150g of tobacco.
• 1 bottle of alcoholic drink.
• 380ml of eau de toilette.
• 75ml of perfume. 
• Goods to the value of XOF10,000 (XOF5,000 for children under 15).

Banned Imports

Prohibited and restricted items include arms and ammunition, drugs, and printed materials which have been banned by the government.