Money & duty free for Antigua and Barbuda
Exchange rates:
Caribbean DollarC$1 = EC$2.01
€1 = EC$2.81
£1 = EC$3.35
US$1 = EC$2.7
Currency & Money
East Caribbean Dollar (XCD; symbol EC$) = 100 cents. Banknotes are in denominations of EC$100, 50, 20, 10, and 5. Coins are in denominations of EC$2 and EC$1, as well as 25, 10, 5, 2, and 1 cent. US dollars are widely accepted throughout the country. The East Caribbean dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate.
Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, particularly in tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly used, though smaller establishments may prefer cash.
ATMs are readily available in major towns and tourist centres, dispensing East Caribbean dollars. Some machines also offer the option to withdraw US dollars.
There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency, but amounts equivalent to US$10,000 or more must be declared on arrival and departure.
Currency exchange services are available at banks, authorised exchange bureaux, and some hotels. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere.
While the East Caribbean dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of 1 USD = 2.70 XCD, the actual rate you receive may vary slightly due to service charges or commissions applied by individual banks or businesses.
Antigua and Barbuda duty free
The following items may be imported by travellers aged 18 or over into Antigua and Barbuda without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250g of tobacco.
• 1 litre of alcoholic beverages.
• 170ml of perfume.
Banned imports include narcotics and their derivatives, firearms, ammunition, explosives, counterfeit currency and securities, indecent or obscene publications and objects, and items that infringe on intellectual property rights.
This list is not exhaustive. Travellers should consult the official customs website or contact the embassy or consulate near you for the most up-to-date information.
Banned exports include protected wildlife and products derived from endangered species, as well as national heritage items or artefacts without the necessary permits.
This list is not exhaustive. Travellers should consult the official customs website or contact the embassy or consulate near you for the most up-to-date information.
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