Taka (Tk, BDT), equal to 100 paise. In circulation there are denominations of 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 taka, as well as coins of 5 and 1 taka, 50, 25, 10 and 5 paise.

Taka is a non-convertible currency and cannot be exchanged outside of Bangladesh, even in neighboring India. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere.

Banks and currency exchange
Banks are open from Sunday to Wednesday from 09.00 to 15.00, on Thursday – from 09.00 to 13.00. Some are also open on Saturday mornings.

It is recommended to exchange currency in banks and specialized exchange offices. Commissions vary greatly from place to place, so you should always check all conditions in advance. Many shops and private traders in major cities will always be willing to offer currency exchange, often at a better rate than banks, but this issue should be approached with great caution, as fraud is not uncommon.

Outside of Dhaka and Chittagong, exchanging currency (with the exception of US dollars, pounds sterling and Indian rupees) is quite problematic, although it is quite possible to pay with it in small retail outlets. At the same time, many upscale hotels accept payment for their services only in convertible currency or traveler’s checks.

Credit cards are limitedly accepted for payment in some hotels, boarding houses and restaurants in Dhaka and Chittagong, but in other cases their use is almost impossible. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) can be found at Standard Chartered Bank branches in Dhaka, Chittagong, Bogra, Sylhet, Narayanganj and Khulna, as well as at HSBC bank offices in Dhaka and Chittagong.

Travel checks can be cashed at the capital’s airport and at the offices of some major banks. To avoid additional costs associated with exchange rate fluctuations, it is recommended to bring checks in US dollars or pounds sterling.

VAT and tax-free
VAT on all goods and services is 15%, it is almost impossible to return it. There are very few duty-free shops only at Dhaka International Airport, however, their work scheme is not very clear and has a lot of artificial restrictions (most often they just sell goods whose value is taken without VAT, but it is issued only with a foreign passport and air tickets).

International money services are provided Western Union transfers