Fees and tickets
Money and payments at Freetown International Airport
Short answer
- Currency
- Leone, redenominated from 1 July 2022 1
- Conversion
- Old value divided by 1,000 1
- Who may change money
- Commercial banks and licensed bureaux only 4
- Bureaux at the airport
- Two listed by the Bank of Sierra Leone, undated list 5
- Visa on arrival
- US$80, cash in US dollars 6
- Security fee
- US$25, suspended from 6 July 2026 10
The leone after redenomination
The Bank of Sierra Leone redenominated the leone with effect from 1 July 2022 1,2. Its technical guidelines, published in the Gazette on 2 August 2022, say the value of old currency is found by dividing its face value by one thousand 1. Amounts are rounded to two decimal places 1.
The guidelines set a transition period from 1 July to 30 September 2022, when old and new notes both circulated 1. They said old notes could be exchanged free of charge 1. A Bank notice of 24 June 2022 set over-the-counter exchange limits of Le30,000,000 per transaction for individuals and Le100,000,000 for corporate entities 2. This page did not confirm any later change to that timetable from an official source. Travellers holding old notes should ask the Bank of Sierra Leone.
Prices in leones
A Bank of Sierra Leone notice of 20 August 2019 cited section 26(4) of the Bank of Sierra Leone Act, 2019, which says prices for all transactions in Sierra Leone shall be shown in leones 3. The notice named hotel rooms, car rental, rent and professional services as examples 3. It barred making or receiving payment in foreign currency for such deals, except with the Governor's permission or where a law or treaty provides otherwise 3. It gave the penalty as a fine of 100 million leones, prison of at least 3 years, or both 3. That amount was stated before the 2022 redenomination.
Changing money at Lungi
A Bank of Sierra Leone notice of 3 March 2020 says only commercial banks and licensed foreign exchange bureaux may buy and sell foreign currency 4. They may trade only at their registered addresses on file with the Bank 4. Street trading in foreign currency is prohibited 4.
The Bank's undated directory lists 88 foreign exchange bureaux 5. It names these in Lungi:
- Tap Foreign Exchange Bureau Limited, Freetown International Airport, Lungi 5
- Zion Foreign Exchange Bureau Company Limited, New Freetown International Airport, Lungi 5
- Prominent Foreign Exchange Bureau Limited, 12 Old PortLoko Road, Tintafor, Lungi 5
- Fehloow Foreign Exchange Bureau, 9 Sesay Street, Lulun, Lungi 5
What you pay at or for the airport
The Immigration Department says passport prices may change with the US dollar to leone rate, and that all payments must go through approved channels 7. The Foreign Travel Tax is collected inside the air ticket and is covered on the passenger fees page.
| Payment | Amount | Currency or channel | Status and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival 6 | US$80 6 | Cash in US dollars 6 | Live, FCDO page updated 19 June 2026 6 |
| Airport security fee 10 | US$25 10 | Was paid to Securiport 10 | Suspended from 6 July 2026 10 |
| Passport issue or renewal 7 | 100 USD or 2,280 leones 7 | Approved channels, at 1 USD to 22.8 leones 7 | Undated Immigration fees page 7 |
Carrying cash across the border
The Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2005 made it an offence to enter or leave Sierra Leone with more than US$10,000 in cash or bearer securities without first reporting it to the Anti-Money Laundering Authority 8. The Financial Intelligence Unit now lists the AML/CFT Act 2012 and an Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2024 in its legal framework 9. The text of those newer Acts could not be opened for this page, so the current threshold is not confirmed here. Ask customs or the Financial Intelligence Unit before carrying large sums.
Common questions
Can I change money at Freetown airport?
The Bank of Sierra Leone directory lists two licensed bureaux at Freetown International Airport, Tap and Zion 5.
Can I pay in US dollars in Sierra Leone?
A 2019 Bank of Sierra Leone notice says prices must be shown in leones and bars foreign currency payment for local deals without permission 3. The visa on arrival is paid in US dollars cash 6.
What is the new leone worth in old leones?
One new leone equals 1,000 old leones under the 2022 guidelines 1.
Can I change money with street traders?
No. A 2020 Bank of Sierra Leone notice prohibits street trading in foreign currency 4.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@sierraleoneairportguide.com.
Sources
- Bank of Sierra Leone: Currency Redenomination Technical Guidelines, Sierra Leone Gazette Extraordinary No. 54, Government Notice No. 293 (2 August 2022)
- Bank of Sierra Leone: Public notice, redenomination of the leone (24 June 2022)
- Bank of Sierra Leone: Prohibition of quoting prices and making payments in foreign currency in Sierra Leone (20 August 2019)
- Bank of Sierra Leone: Prohibition of foreign currency transactions by unlicensed operators, Government Notice No. 32 (3 March 2020)
- Bank of Sierra Leone: Directory of financial institutions, foreign exchange bureaux (undated, viewed 24 October 2026)
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Sierra Leone travel advice, entry requirements (updated 19 June 2026)
- Sierra Leone Immigration Department: Fees and charges (undated, viewed 24 October 2026)
- SierraLII: Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2005, Act No. 6 of 2005 (Gazette 21 July 2005)
- Financial Intelligence Unit Sierra Leone: Legal framework (viewed 24 October 2026)
- Premier News SL, as reported by Matthew Bakarr: Government Suspends USD 25 Airport Security Fee (6 July 2026)
Related
- Passenger fees at Freetown International Airport
The fees and taxes a passenger can meet at Freetown International Airport at Lungi, with their legal basis, status and source dates.
- Sierra Leone visa on arrival and eVisa at Freetown airport
Visa on arrival fees for African Union and other nationals, who enters visa free, how the eVisa works and what is not confirmed, with dated sources.
- Customs at Freetown International Airport
What travellers can bring into Sierra Leone, what must be declared, the precious stones export rule and the Customs Act 2011, with dated sources.
- Arriving at Freetown International Airport
What to expect on arrival at Freetown International Airport at Lungi: visa on arrival or eVisa, yellow fever proof, customs, fees and transfer to Freetown.
- The US$25 airport security fee at Freetown
History and status of the US$25 airport security fee at Freetown International Airport, paid to Securiport and suspended from 6 July 2026.