Money and duty free for Jordan

Currency and Money

Currency information

Dinar (JOD; symbol JD) = 100 piastres or qirsh, or 1000 fils. Notes are in denominations of JD50, 20, 10, 5 and 1, and 500 fils. Coins are in denominations of JD1, 1/2 and 1/4; 10, 5, 2 and 1/2 piastres; and 1 and 1/2 qirsh.

Credit cards

American Express, Visa, Diners Club and Mastercard are accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops.

ATM

ATMs can be found in most of the larger towns and throughout Amman. Jordan is a cash society. In most places (other than top-end hotels and restaurants) the only acceptable method of payment is cash dinars. Dollars and other foreign currencies are generally not accepted. Jordan is also very safe; crime is exceptionally low, and you do not need to worry about carrying cash with you. Scams are few. You may find yourself paying slightly over the odds for taxis or guide services, but real rip-offs are surprisingly rare.

One exception is in and around the tourist town of Petra – here, there is a higher-than-usual prevalence of touts and cheats trying to overcharge and under-deliver. Be more on your guard here than elsewhere.

Travellers cheques

Those issued by UK banks in sterling, euros or US dollars are accepted by licensed banks and bureaux de change. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Banking hours

Sat-Thu 0830-1500. Hours during Ramadan are 0830-1000, although some banks open in the afternoon.

Currency restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import and export of the national and of foreign currencies. However, sums being the equivalent of JD10,000 and higher need to be declared.

Currency exchange

Foreign currencies can be exchanged easily in banks and bureaux de change. Most hotels also provide exchange facilities. The daily exchange rates are published in local newspapers.

Jordan duty free

Overview

Jordan duty-free allowance

The following goods may be imported into Jordan by visitors 18 years of age and older without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 200g of tobacco.
• Normal cigars up to the value of JD20.
• Cuban cigars up to the value of JD70.
• 1L of alcoholic drinks.
• Gifts and personal effects up to the value of JD2000, they must not have any commercial characteristics.

There are extensive duty-free shops at the airport, both in arrivals and departures, and at every border crossing by land. Within 14 days of your arrival in Jordan, you can also go to the Duty Free Shop on Al Abdali-Boulevard in Amman to buy your permitted allowance of cigarettes, alcohol and other luxury goods without paying duty. Bring your passport with you.

Banned Imports

Narcotics, firearms and ammunition, and pornography.

Banned Exports

Antiquities (classed as items dating from before AD1750).