| MONEY
CUSTOMS DUTY
Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatia are in accordance with EU standards. Foreign currency can freely be moved in and out of the country, while the maximum amount for the Croatian currency is 2000 Kunas. Valuable professional and technical equipment must be registered with customs at the border. For further information please visit www.carina.hr
TAX RETURN FOR FOREIGN CITIZENS
Tourists who purchase goods for over 500 kn may claim a tax return when leaving the country with verified "Tax Cheque" receipts through the Croatian Customs Service. A tax refund can be obtained within one year. The equivalent of VAT - PDV - is 22% in Croatia. Information: Croatian Customs Service (Phone: 01/6102 333).
SHOPPING
Traditional handicrafts that cover a range of items like embroidery (table clothes, clothes and other), lace, silver filigran jewellery or jewellery made of corails and sea shelves, woodcarvings and ceramics make good souvenirs.
If you go shopping for clothes or shoes, the prices in our shops will not be a pleasant surprise. Therefore, if you're not particularly attached to designer's clothes, take a look in small boutiques and on the market. Prices are much lower and the choice gets to be quite good during the high season.
WORKING HOURS
In general, working hours for all shops and other services are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. till 7 or 8 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. till 1-2 p.m. During summer season opening hours of shops and boutiques vary from ones like private shops that mostly stay open till 9 p.m. or longer and full day on Saturday, and the others that work in two shifts, closing from noon till 4 p.m. Sundays and public holidays are the usual closing days.
TIPPING
A tip is not included in the price of meals or drinks. If the tip is earned it should be about 10 per cent of the bill. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but it will be appreciated.
MONEY
Local currency: 1 Kuna (HRK) = 100 Lipa. Notes are in denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 HRK. Coins are in denominations of 5, 2 and 1 HRK, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 lipa.
Export-import restrictions: The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited. The import and export of our currency - HRK is limited to 2000 HRK, in banknotes up to 500 HRK. For amounts exceeding 2000 HRK a special permit from the National Bank of Croatia is required.
BANKS
Banking hours: 8 a.m. till 7 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. till noon on Saturdays. All banks are closed on Sunday and public holidays. Cash machines, though seldom found outside the major towns and resorts, are operative 24 hours a day.
EXCHANGE OFFICES
Currencies can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices (Mjenjačnica), hotels and most travel agencies. Exchange rates are published in the daily press and by banks that display them in visible places.
CREDIT CARDS AND OTHER MEANS OF PAYMENT
Standard credit cards like Eurocard/Mastercard, Diners, American Express and Visa are widely accepted in Croatia. All shops, restaurants, agencies, hotels and other services usually have logo stickers on the door or other visible place for you to be sure which credit cards they accept. You can take cash advance on Eurocard/Mastercard and Diners in most post offices. Banks and moneychangers as well as some hotels accept travellers' checks. Usually a 2 % commission is charged for cashing a traveller's check.
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