Bank notes

toni345th Contributor

Member since 02 October 2023

toni345thContributor03 January 2025 05:34:36

102

Having been here in Phnom Penh for over 10 years, the main problem is usa bank notes, and the inability of banks to take any USA bank notes to exchange for riel, if they have the following, 1 a small tear anywhere, 2 badly folded in the middle, 3 written marks anywhere on the note, 4 pre 1992 USA notes, very dirty USA notes, 5 if they just don't like the look of them, I once had a 5 new $100 dollar out of the ATM and one had a tiny tear in the middle, the bank that was opposite the ATM only changed it after a long discussion with various staff until finally they changed the USA note for riel, as for old riel notes I now believe you can change old for new free, so I see the the NBC will now change damaged notes regardless of tears marks crosses or old ?. Your thoughts would be welcome,聽

JoeKhmer Cambodia Expert

Member since 13 November 2015

JoeKhmerCambodia Expert03 January 2025 10:40:04

2170

@toni345th

It's all logical and normal.

USD is a foreign currency in Cambodia and as such banks cannot exchange damaged or bad notes for undamaged ones.

Banks can however exchange damaged KHR notes for new ones, as this is the national currency.

But there is a very simple solution.

Go to your own bank and put the damaged notes in the deposit machine. The machine will accept it and the amount is added to your bank account.

Even easier is what I do: I use only KHR notes, no need to check if they are crisp and most businesses like to deal in KHR notes.

Joe

toni345th Contributor

Member since 02 October 2023

toni345thContributor03 January 2025 13:53:56

102

@JoeKhmer

Hi Joe, I guess the Cambodian banks have a problem getting new USA notes for damaged ones, so I understand that, but according to the latest news NBC is changing damaged USA bank notes, I guess this is not true ?, thanks for info

mpmilestogo Active member

Member since 24 October 2023

mpmilestogoActive member04 January 2025 01:56:28

This was written up awhile ago on Khmer times. Supposedly they have relaxed acceptance limits on USD. I had a $50 bill when I got back to Phnom Penh in 2022. No one would accept it because of damage. I took to Sathapana Bank in Phnom Penh on the street where all the banks are. They accepted it and gave me undamaged smaller bills back. The teller went through their $20 and $10 to make sure I would have no problems. She did confer with manager for a second. I told her I would be back when I had more USD damaged. LoL. She said no thank you sir.

I like Joe's answer depositing them in ATM machines. I don't have any USD. Only use Riel and ABA app these days.

jayrozzetti23 Serial expat

Member since 14 December 2015

jayrozzetti23Serial expat04 January 2025 03:34:58

810

This article from last August discusses the issue:

Why Cambodia's PM is talking about accepting dirty, torn and old US banknotes

Prime Minister Hun Manet, who called for a solution to the problem, posted a message to social media this morning, expressing his support for the new measures.

"I hope that the actions of the National Bank of Cambodia will eliminate the difficulties associated with the issuance of dollar bills and will ease the pressure on vendors, as well as make it easier for visitors to spend their money when they visit Siem Reap,鈥� he said.

He also requested that the NBC, all private banks, private businesses, vendors and citizens in the province participate in the implementation of the new procedures.