Money and duty free for Mauritania

Currency and Money

Currency information

A single Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU) = 5 khoums. Notes are in denominations of MRU1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of MRU20, 10, 5, 1 and 0.2 Ouguiya.

Credit cards

Credit cards can be used in a few hotels in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. There are some hotels that only accept Visa cards.

ATM

There are very few ATMs, but some do accept foreign credit or debit cards.

Travellers cheques

Travellers’ cheques are of limited use and shouldn’t be relied on. Travellers are advised to take travellers’ cheques in US Dollars if the use of one is absolutely necessary.

Banking hours

Sun-Thu 0800-1600.

Currency restrictions

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. There is no restriction on the import of foreign currency provided the amount is declared on arrival. The export of foreign currency must not exceed the amount declared on arrival.

Currency exchange

Currency declaration forms are issued on arrival and should be kept. US dollars and euros can be exchanged at the airport, at the main banks in Nouakchott, in some hotels or at official bureaux de change. It is illegal to exchange money on the black market.

Mauritania duty free

Overview

The following items can be imported into Mauritania by travellers of 18 years of age and over without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.

Banned Imports

Alcohol, pork and pork products.

Sporting guns require an import and gun licence from the Home Ministry.