Taking cash in or out of Mauritius: What are the rules?

Emma-Jane Stogdon

Jetting off to the beautiful island of Mauritius? Perhaps you’re honeymooning or holidaying, or maybe planning to spend a longer period of time there.

If you’ll be taking cash in or out of the country, you’ll need to know about the customs rules for Mauritius. This can help you prepare for your journey and sail through customs at the airport.

In this guide, we’ll look at the rules and limits for taking cash in or out of Mauritius. Plus, info on how and when to declare cash, and what happens if you carry too much without declaring it.

We’ll also show you a convenient cash-free alternative for spending in Mauritius and worldwide - the Wise card.

move-and-manage

How much cash can you bring to Mauritius? What are the limits?

You can bring any amount of cash into Mauritius. However, amounts over 500,000 Mauritian rupees (approx. £8,700 GBP) must be declared to customs authorities.1

What qualifies as cash when moving through borders?

For the purposes of moving it across international borders, the following are usually classed as cash:2

  • Banknotes and coins
  • Cheques
  • Travellers cheques
  • Promissory notes
  • Money orders
  • Securities.

Resort in Mauritius

Are there penalties if you bring in too much cash to Mauritius?

Under the Mauritian government’s customs rules, you may face penalties if you bring more than 500,000 Mauritian rupees (MUR) into the country without declaring it.

It’s likely that the money will be seized, and you could have to pay a substantial fine. There’s even the risk of a prison term in certain cases.3

How to declare cash at Mauritius customs when you travel

If you haven’t needed to deal with customs procedures in a foreign country before, you might feel a little daunted by the prospect.

To help you know what to expect, read on for info on the procedure for declaring cash at the airport in Mauritius.

Declaring cash before your trip

If you want to save yourself some time at customs, you can declare cash before you travel to or from Mauritius.

There’s a really simple Currency Declaration form you can fill in online, available on the Mauritius Revenue Authority website. It’s in English, and pretty straightforward to complete.

Once you’ve submitted this, you’ll get a Currency Declaration ID number by email. You’ll need to give this ID number to customs officials on arrival in Mauritius, so that the declaration process can be completed.

Declaring cash on arrival to Mauritius

To declare cash at an airport or seaport (i.e. a cruise terminal) once you arrive in Mauritius, follow these steps:

  1. Look for the ‘goods to declare’ or ‘red channel’ signs
  2. Tell a customs official you wish to declare cash, and you’ll be asked to fill in a form. If you already have a completed form or an ID number for an online declaration, hand it over.
  3. Follow all instructions and have your passport and other documents ready - we’ll run through what else you might need next.

If you can’t find a declaration point, ask at the airport or seaport’s information desk. You can also find contact details for Mauritius customs offices here.

Checklist for cash declarations at Mauritius customs

While you may not be asked for all of it, it’s sensible to have the following ready to provide at customs:4

  • Your passport, home address and other personal details
  • The address of where you’ll be staying in Mauritius
  • Details of your journey, including where you travelled from, flight numbers, ferry routes, vessel names, travel dates and any countries you’ve passed through in transit
  • The total amount of cash
  • Details of who owns the cash and the intended recipient, if it’s not you.
  • Details and evidence (if you have it) of the source of the money, including the country of origin and how it was generated.
  • Details of what the cash will be used for.

Mauritius airport

How much cash can you take out of Mauritius? Are there limits?

You can take up to 500,000 Mauritian rupees (MUR) in cash out of the country without needing to declare it to customs officials.1

If you’re carrying more than this, you must declare it at the airport or face penalties.

How much cash can I take to Africa from the UK?

Each African country will have its own rules and limits for how much cash you can bring in. So, it’s important to do some research before you travel, so you can avoid falling foul of the rules.

But there’s also the UK’s own rules to consider. You can take up to £10,000 out of the UK without having to make a customs declaration.5

What are the penalties for travelling with too much cash?

If you bring too much cash into Mauritius or fail to declare it, you risk your money being seized.

If convicted of an offense under the country’s customs laws, you could also be ordered to pay a fine. This could be at least 20% of the sum you were attempting to bring in or take out of the country, up to a maximum of 2 million MUR (approx. £34,803 in GBP).3

You could also face a prison term of up to 5 years. So, it really isn’t worth taking any chances.3

Destinations where a declaration isn't needed

No matter where you’re travelling to from Mauritius, you’ll need to declare any cash exceeding 500,000 MUR to customs authorities.1

Destinations where declaration is needed

All onward destinations require a customs declaration if you’re carrying more than 500,000 MUR, except if you’re travelling between locations within Mauritius itself.

Additional tips for travelling with cash

Fishing boat in Mauritius with mountains in background

Avoid travelling with cash if you can

Travelling with large amounts of cash is a security risk, so it’s best avoided unless absolutely necessary. Consider withdrawing cash at an ATM on arrival instead, or spending on a card.

Get a money belt

The safest way to carry cash is on your person, so invest in a good quality money belt to wear under your clothes.

Split your cash

Carrying one big wad of cash isn’t very discreet, and it’s risky too - if it’s misplaced or stolen, that would be all your money gone.

So consider splitting your money between a money belt worn on your person, between members of your travelling party, and between pieces of luggage too.

Be aware that exchanging currency in cash can be costly

If you’re carrying money to pay for your trip and need to exchange it once you get to Mauritius, you might struggle to find a good deal. This is especially true of exchanging cash in airports and hotels, where exchange rates are notoriously poor.

Wise – An international alternative to carrying cash

Rather avoid the security concerns and inconvenience of carrying cash between countries? Check out the Wise card instead.

It’s a truly international debit card, as it works in 150+ countries including Mauritius and has no foreign transaction fees*.

Your Wise card awaits 💳

It automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend, for just a small conversion fee*. If you already have the currency in your Wise account, there’s no fee to pay.

You can also use Wise to send money worldwide for great exchange rates and low fees*.

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FAQs: How much cash can you travel with?

What needs to be declared at customs in Mauritius?

As well as currency, you need to declare the following when arriving or leaving in Mauritius:

  • Anything over your duty-free allowance in cigarettes, alcohol or other goods
  • Goods for commercial, business, or trade purposes
  • Any prohibited or restricted goods.

How much cash do I need in Mauritius?

Although it depends on your plans, you should probably budget for around £1,000 in spending money per person for a two week holiday in Mauritius.6

Read more about the cost of planning a honeymoon in Mauritius.

Is it better to carry cash or cards in Mauritius?

Debit and credit cards are accepted in Mauritius, but it's a good idea to have some cash on you too. You may need this for tips, market purchases and public transport, as well as for smaller shops and cafes which don’t accept cards.

Is it better to exchange money in the UK or Mauritius?

You might find that you get better exchange rates if you wait until you arrive in Mauritius to change your pounds for rupees.7

Where can I get Mauritian rupees in the UK?

You can get Mauritian rupees (MUR) at most major travel money bureaux in the UK, though they may need to be ordered in advance.


Sources used:

1. Mauritius Revenue Authority - travelling with cash FAQs
2. Mauritius Revenue Authority - arrival in Mauritius
3. Mauritius Revenue Authority - online currency declaration
4. Mauritius Revenue Authority - guide for online currency declaration
5. GOV.UK - taking cash in and out of the UK
6. Voyage Privé - Mauritius travel guide
7. Thomas Cook - Mauritius currency

Sources last checked on date: 09-Jan-2025


*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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