USD vs KHR — when to use which in Cambodia
Cambodian dual currency — fixed rate ~4,100 KHR/USD, refused bills, ATM withdrawals, NBC de-dollarisation, which currency for what.
- Duration
- Permanent — rules applied in daily practice
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Reading
- 7 min
In 3 bullets
- Cambodia operates dual-currency: USD above ~10-20 USD, KHR below. Fixed rate practically immovable at 4,100 KHR / 1 USD.
- The NBC is progressively withdrawing small USD bills (1, 2, 5 USD) — many merchants have refused them since 2020.
- For daily use, keep USD for large amounts and KHR for change. The KHQR QR code sidesteps the question.
Why two currencies?
The dual currency dates back to the 1980-1990s: riel collapse under inflation (up to 177% per year), UN humanitarian aid paid in USD, refugee remittances in USD. The greenback established itself naturally as a store of value.
Since the late 1990s, the NBC has maintained a near-fixed rate of around 4,100 KHR per 1 USD: the riel no longer floats freely, its rate is steered to avoid friction in dual circulation.
Today, both currencies are legal tender. You can pay indifferently in USD or KHR (4,100 rate used everywhere, sometimes 4,000 or 4,050 at markets). The NBC has been pushing since 2020 to reduce the dollar’s share in small transactions — hence the withdrawal of small bills.
When to use USD, when to use KHR
USD recommended for:
- Hotels (rates listed in USD).
- Domestic flights and airlines.
- Mid- and high-end restaurants.
- Rent (almost all expat leases are denominated in USD).
- Large administrative fees: long-stay visa, customs duties, annual tax for a large engine.
- Purchases > 20 USD at supermarkets and chains (where change comes back in KHR).
KHR recommended for:
- Tuk-tuks, PassApp, Grab (often shown in KHR or USD, your choice).
- Local markets: Tuol Tom Poung, Orussey, neighbourhood markets.
- Street food, mobile vendors.
- Small purchases < 5 USD (water, fruit, snacks).
- Local taxes and fees paid at the Sangkat or Khan .
- Cambodian employees’ wages (cleaner, gardener, driver).
The classic trap
When you pay in USD for a non-round amount (e.g. 7.50 USD), you get change in KHR (2,050 KHR here). You quickly accumulate riel notes — which reuse well for small payments the next day.
Bills and notes in circulation
Riels (KHR)
| Denomination | Value ≈ USD | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 100 KHR | ~0.02 USD | nearly extinct, market change |
| 500 KHR | ~0.12 USD | mobile vendors |
| 1,000 KHR | ~0.24 USD | short tuk-tuk, snacks |
| 2,000 KHR | ~0.49 USD | medium tuk-tuk |
| 5,000 KHR | ~1.22 USD | street food meal |
| 10,000 KHR | ~2.44 USD | local restaurant |
| 20,000 KHR | ~4.88 USD | taxi ride |
| 50,000 KHR | ~12.20 USD | bills, small purchases |
| 100,000 KHR | ~24.39 USD | large purchases, taxes |
US dollars (USD)
- 1 USD: technically legal tender but often refused (merchants, ATMs). NBC withdrawal underway since 2020.
- 2, 5 USD: same trend, frequent refusal.
- 10, 20 USD: common, accepted everywhere.
- 50, 100 USD: accepted but strict visual inspection (see trap below).
ATM withdrawal — choose USD or KHR
All ATMs of Cambodian banks offer USD or KHR:
- If you withdraw in USD, you usually get 50 or 100 USD bills (never 1 or 5).
- If you withdraw in KHR, you get 10,000, 20,000 or 50,000 KHR bills.
- ATMs apply the day’s rate close to mid-market — no hidden margin at ABA / ACLEDA.
Typical fees:
- ABA ATM for ABA customers: free.
- Third-party ATM (another KH bank): 4 to 6 USD per withdrawal.
- Foreign card (non-KH Visa / Mastercard): 5 to 10 USD per withdrawal depending on ATM.
Common pitfalls
FAQ
Will the riel disappear in favour of the dollar?
No, it’s the opposite: the NBC is actively pursuing a de-dollarisation policy (withdrawing small USD bills, promoting KHQR / Bakong, paying taxes in riel). Over 10 years, the KHR share of transactions should grow.
Can I pay my Cambodian taxes in USD?
Yes for most: tax on salary (ToS), patent tax, vehicle tax. The bank payment system converts automatically. But the legal amount is always denominated in KHR.
Should I open 2 accounts (USD + KHR) at the bank?
That’s what most expats do. ABA offers both in the same app. It avoids conversion fees when paying in KHR or USD depending on context.
Do ATMs accept foreign cards?
Yes — ABA, ACLEDA, Canadia, J Trust accept Visa, Mastercard, Cirrus, Plus. ATM fees of 4 to 6 USD on the KH bank side + fees from your home bank. Wise and Revolut work. See the Wise / Revolut guide.
And QR code payments (KHQR)?
The KHQR unifies QR-code payments across the country: a single merchant QR code accepts payments from all participating Cambodian banks. It’s the fastest-growing payment mode — adopted by supermarkets, restaurants, taxis, markets. It works in KHR or USD depending on your balance.
Sources (2)
Every fact in this guide comes from official documents or government sites. An access date is recorded for each source.