Zimbabwe Travel Guide

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Shopping

A sales tax of 10 to 22% is added to all purchases, the higher rate being on luxury items, except those which are to be exported. Special purchases are copper, wooden and soapstone carvings, gameskin and leather products, pottery and basketwork.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700 and Sat 0800-1300.

Currency

The Zimbabwean Dollar was abandoned early 2009.

Zimbabwe Dollar (ZWD; symbol Z$) = 100 cents. Notes were in denominations of Z$200,000, 100,000, 50,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of Z$5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 cents.

The country has adopted a multi-currency scheme; the US Dollar and South African Rand can be used for domestic transactions.

Currency Exchange

Major foreign currencies can be exchanged at bureau de change, banks and major hotels at the official exchange rate.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club and Visa are widely accepted, while MasterCard has more limited use. Some ATMs accept credit cards.

Travelers Checks

Banks and major hotels will exchange these. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency Restrictions

The import and export of local currency is limited to Z$15,000. The import of foreign currency is unlimited. The export of foreign currency is unlimited as long as declared on entry.

Banking Hours

Mon-Tues and Thurs-Fri 0800-1500, Wed 0800-1300 and Sat 0800-1130.

Exchange Rate