This is really nothing new and has been the case for several years, at least in Namibia. Namibia went this route for several reasons the major ones were: a) lots of the old style counterfeit $100.00 USD bills coming into the banks they were tracing back and attributing the influx of the Chinese "invasion". b) High amount of black market trading with the counterfeit USD. By making it illegal for Namibian citizens to exchange USD for Namibian dollars it greatly slowed down (not completely stopped) the black market trade of USD for ND.
And yes, while this has been the case for several years, there are still a significant number of US clients who don't know any different and still pitch up with mixed old an new style to settle their bill at the end. That is why my friend ended up with several thousands of dollars worth of the old style. He accepted it to settle the account with the hope a repeat client (such as myself) would bring the proper bills and swap them out for him. In the meantime, he's stuck with a lot of money that he can't use to pay his bills with.
Incorrect regarding my advising bringing large amounts of cash. How you pay your final bill is between you and your PH/Outfitter. Most do not have a CC machine and most require you to pay any outstanding balance due before you leave. Travelers checks are not accepted in the banks. Bank certified checks are not accepted at the banks so, that pretty much leaves you very limited alternatives - cash. Maybe you can stop at an ATM on the way to the airport, but most of them have a $500 USD limit per day. There are just not a lot of other options available, not even PayPal. SOMETIMES, IF you're a repeat client the PH/Outfitter MIGHT let you wire the balance due back once you get home. Not too likely to happen if your a first time client.
As to your amount you can carry, there is no limit. However, IF you are carrying more than $10K US then you have to declare/report it. Here's where you can find all you need to know.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/kbyg/moneyYour last point, "They do take $50 and 20$". If you're talking about the banks and/or currency exchange offices, that I don't know for certain, because I've never tried to exchange anything less than $100.00. The prohibition of Namibian citizens from ANY legal exchange of ANY foreign currency still stands. There is one minor loophole - South African Rand is legal tender in Namibia but, Namibian Dollars are NOT legal tender in RSA.
I believe the bank reporting laws to the Feds was changed a few years ago. While they are still required to report every transaction over $10K US to the Feds, that was broadened to include ANY unusual activity.
The "better way to do it" is actually the most common. You have to divide this into two separate situations: a) you booked your hunt thru a US based Outfitter/booking agent. In that case all monies are sent to him in the US and it's his responsibility to pay the outfitter. b) where you deal directly with the PH/Outfitter in the country in question and you're wiring pre-hunt funds to him (deposit) to lock in your hunt and dates, then usually a follow-on agreed to amount sometime around the 30-day point before you arrive. If your hunting a package hunt, then that would be the balance of the cost of the package hunt. Then what happens if once your "there" and you decide to take one or more added animals and now you end up owing several thousand more to the PH/Outfitter. Oh, and tips, say a nominal average of 10% or more. Oh, then add on some cash to exchange for local currency for souvenirs from road side vendors etc. Not all stores or shop are set up for CCs. Then what about a little emergency cash in your pocket JUST IN CASE your CC gets shut off due to suspected fraudulent activity and you don't have any way to call your CC provider because you don't have cell service. (this has happened to me twice).
One way to reduce the amount of cash you carry is IF you're doing a straight daily rate and individual trophy fee hunt is before you go is to discuss "a plan" with your PH. Most will say something along the lines of wire over 100%of your total daily rates and 50% of your anticipated trophy fees and then bring cash to settle out your bill and any tips
The big thing everyone needs to understand is it is NOT as easy for PH/Outfitters to refund over paid wired over fees. Why? One, because all the hunts are offered and advertised in USD. We wire over USD and somewhere between our bank and their bank the money is exchanged for the local currency. So, IF you've overpaid in your wires. Are you willing to take your refund in the local currency or will you expect them to refund you in USD. That ties this all back to the fact that it is illegal (at least I know in Namibia) for a Namibian citizen to exchange Namibian dollars to foreign currency (other than SA Rand).
Maybe, your outfitter has a CC machine like my friends in Botswana and you can settle out your account before you leave on your CC. However, if your CC provider is like mine, I have to call ahead to pre-authorize any "unusual and large purchases" even in the US. So, IF you can call your CC from the middle of nowhere and tell give them the amount and the name of the business that's going to hit your card, you're golden.
I understand I've gotten way to far down in the weeds on this for many but, there is some tried and tested methods that work the best. i.e.- wire over the bulk of your anticipated total fees and tips. Carry the balance in cash to settle out your account or make damn sure you've sorted out "a plan" with your PH BEFORE you go. Might even be a good idea to discuss BEFORE you book.
Again, my original intent on posting was to pass along some info that a first timer or someone who may not have been in a few years, keep from getting jammed up at the end and not be able to settle his account or exchange all the currency he may have been stashing away under the bed for a few years for his once in life time trip.
Hope the above was helpful.
Michael
Edited to add - several years ago, I took a repeat client to Namibia. He had to pay for the balance of this hunt and the previous year's taxidermy bill. Taxidermy bill was crazy. Lots of full shoulder mounts, including a giraffe. He carried well over $35K out with him in a bundle in his carry-on backpack. Had the Customs form filled out and ready and in with the cash. We went thru our departure TSA security - not a peep. Went thru Atlanta TSA security - not a peep. Went thru Jberg security - not a peep. Go figure.
Edited to add again - "Well, if your paying him in USD cash and it's not legal for him to exchange it, then how does he do it". Simple, on the way to the airport, you will make a stop at either a bank or currency exchange office and you will exchange the proper amount of UDS and give him the exchanged cash. The other option is IF a bank or exchange office is not open for some reason, then you just pay the PH in USD and another US client coming in will do the exchange when doing theirs.
