Dollar exchange fee: which bills are not accepted at exchangers

The National Bank of Ukraine has made an important decision regarding foreign currency exchange. In its statement, the regulator stated that US dollars issued before 1996 remain legal tender.

At the same time, the NBU emphasized that the practices of some exchangers to charge a commission for exchanging old-style dollars, ranging from 10% to 30%, are illegal. The regulator notes that all original US banknotes are valid, regardless of their issue. Therefore, banks and exchange offices are obliged to accept these banknotes at the official rate without any additional fees. In the event of a refusal or a demand to pay a commission, the NBU calls for reporting such cases, emphasizing that the authenticity of banknotes can be verified using special equipment.

According to Ukrainian legislation, there are strict criteria by which the wear of banknotes is determined. Among such damages that may require a separate collection procedure, the following are noted: tears, discoloration, significant contamination and other defects that significantly affect the appearance of the banknote.

When customers come to the bank, the teller inspects the banknotes, both visually and using detectors. If the banknotes are genuine but have significant damage, they can be sent for collection, while slightly damaged banknotes should be accepted in the usual way.

The exchange of counterfeit banknotes is prohibited. The teller is obliged to remove the detected counterfeits and transfer them to the NBU for further examination and investigation.

In the event that a financial institution refuses to exchange old dollars or if a commission is demanded, customers can take specific measures: contact the management, file a complaint in the feedback book or send an official appeal to the National Bank.