Currency Guide United States of America

Currency

US Dollar (US$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations USD$100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1

To view images and descriptions of all these denominations [click here]

The US Dollar is widely accepted in as alternative currency in many countries.

Credit and Debit Cards

Most major credit cards are accepted throughout the USA, including American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and VISA. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services that may be available. It is also advisable to contact your bank before you leave and advise them that you will be using your card abroad. Visitors are advised to carry at least one major credit card as you will probably need to leave an imprint when booking a hotel room or hiring a car. Even if the final payment is not by credit card.

Currency Regulations

The Import or export of US$ 10,000 or equivalent must be registered with customs on form 4790, failure to do so may result in civil and criminal prosecution, including seizure of the money. There is also an embargo on transactions with Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya and North Korea. The rules differ for each of these countries. Bringing in small amounts of these local currencies may not be a violation, however, the importing of large quantities of currency or doing business with these countries is a violation.

[Click Here] for more information on doing a money transfer to USA.

Currency Exchange

Hotels generally do not offer a money exchange service and only a few major banks will exchange foreign currency, so it is advisable to arrive with US Dollars.

Travellers Cheques are widely accepted and are generally treated as cash in most restaurants, hotels and stores (you will need to show identification, preferably your passport). Sterling travellers cheques are not accepted and few banks will change these. Change is issued in US Dollars. It is advisable to take travellers cheques in US Dollars as US banks generally do not cash travellers cheques and if they do they will charge high commission and ask for a minimum of two forms of identification.

Exchange Rate History

Date   USD Rate
01/01/02   1.411
01/01/03   1.562
01/01/04   1.731
01/01/05   1.860
01/01/06   1.672

A rough guide to the tourists rates for the US Dollar since the beginning of 2002

View US Dollar exchange Rate

Order US Dollars or US Dollar Travellers Cheques

Register for an International money Transfer to USA