Belarus Travel Tips Shopping

SHOPPING

Wooden caskets, trinket boxes, straw items, decorative plates and other handicraft items are good buys. Typical Russian souvenirs like the wooden matreshka dolls and original samovars are also available. Scarina Avenue is the main street with antique shops and two department stores. Only Belarusian Roubles are accepted. However, nearly every shop has a currency exchange counter. Some shops are closed on Sunday, but tourist shops are usually open every day. Antiquities, valuables, works of art and manuscripts other than those offered for sale in souvenir shops require an export license.

Shopping hours
Mon-Sat 0900-1900. In big cities shops are open daily and many open 24 hours a day.

Currency Information:

Currency
The Belarusian Rouble (BYR). The Belarusian Rouble was devalued by a factor of 1000 on 1 Jan 2000 (1 new Rouble = 1000 old Roubles). Old banknotes are still in circulation and are worth one-thousandth of their face value. Notes are in denominations of BYR50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000,1000, 500, 100, 50, 10 and 5.

Currency exchange
Foreign currency should only be exchanged at banks, money-changing kiosks and official bureaux de change, and all transactions must be recorded on the currency declaration form which is issued on arrival. It is wise to retain all exchange receipts. Most aspects of a tour, including accommodation, transport and meals, are paid before departure (through Belintourist or a recognized tour operator), so large amounts of spending money are not necessary. The US dollar or Euros are the preferred foreign currencies. Some foreign currencies may be hard to exchange.

Credit & debit cards
Major European and international credit cards, including American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in some larger hotels and at foreign currency shops and restaurants. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travelers cheques
May be accepted at larger banks, but cash is easier to exchange. To avoid exchange rate charges, travelers cheques should be taken in US dollars or Euros.

Currency restrictions
The import and export of local currency is prohibited. All remaining local currency must be reconverted at the point of departure. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival. Foreign banknotes and coins must be exported within two months of import.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Belarusian Rouble against Sterling and the US Dollar: