If you’re planning a trip to the United States, you may want to exchange some of your Zimbabwean dollars for U.S. dollars, the country’s official currency. The international symbol for the currency is USD.
The primary currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL), but tourists can transact business using the U.S. dollar at the official exchange rate. However, the exchange rate in Zimbabwe can be unpredictable. In 2022, officials in Zimbabwe made moves to curb depreciation of the Zimbabwean dollar.
This post has everything you need to know about converting ZWL to USD.
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How to Convert ZWL To USD
Calculating a conversion of ZWL to USD is fairly simple. You can make the conversion using a calculator or do it by hand.
1. Use a Currency Calculator
Using a currency conversion calculator is often the easiest way to get an estimate when you’re converting currency. Since exchange rates fluctuate on a daily basis, using a calculator can ensure your math is correct.
Keep in mind that exchanging currency often comes with added fees that a conversion calculator won’t be able to predict. For instance, credit card companies and ATM networks usually charge a 1% conversion fee on all foreign transactions. Individual merchants may also charge fees if you ask them to convert the price of an item to your home currency at checkout.
2. Calculate It Manually
The other option is to do the calculation manually using a simple mathematical formula. However, in order to do this, you need to know the current exchange rate. At the time of writing, 1 ZWL is worth 0.003 USD.
Once you know that information, multiply the amount you have in USD by the current exchange rate. The resulting number will show you the amount of USD you have to spend on your trip.
Manual Currency Conversion Example
Let’s say you have 20,000 ZWL and would like to figure out how many U.S. dollars you have for a trip to the United States. Using the current exchange rate, the formula for your conversion would look like this:
20,000 ZWL x 0.003 = 60 USD
How To Buy USD
When you’re ready to buy U.S. dollars, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules and limitations:
- Foreign currency exchanges in Zimbabwe must be done at officially licensed locations, such as banks and exchange bureaus.
- Zimbabwe is coping with a shortage of cash. Cash withdrawals can be made at some ATMs and bank branches, although there’s no guarantee that cash will be available.
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What to Avoid When Exchanging Currency
- While exchanging currency at an airport is convenient, these kiosks often offer some of the worst exchange rates while charging some of the highest fees.
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