Includes how foreign exchange is managed and implications for U.S. business.
Last Published: 11/1/2016

Exchange controls are currently administered by the CBL. There are three authorized foreign exchange dealers in Lesotho: Standard Lesotho Bank, Nedbank and First National Bank. These banks serve the public from 8.30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday; there are no foreign exchange services on weekends and public holidays. All three commercial banks are subscribers to the Society for Worldwide Inter-bank Financial Telecommunications (S.W.I.F.T).
 
Travel agents, hotels, restaurants, shops, and other persons whose business is directly related to the tourism industry may be authorized to accept at the commercial rate of exchange, foreign bank notes and foreign currency travelers’ checks from visitors in payment of goods supplied and services rendered against a written undertaking, such that foreign currency instruments will be sold to an authorized dealer, in exchange no later than the following business day.
 
Foreign bank notes or other foreign currency instruments such as traveler’s checks may be accepted as forms of payment. Visitors to Lesotho are allowed to sell the balance of unused local currency when they leave Lesotho.

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