problem with "old" US Dollars

Jambo - virtually none of the Banks in East Africa will touch any US currency printed before 2004/5. I have to ask - where did you obtain these notes? If it was from someone in East Africa then I would be very wary of them. If it was outside of Africa then I am even more surprised that these notes were still in circulation. As for your problem - it is very unusual for the banks to exchange your old notes "directly" for new ones. Normally they would take your US currency and give you Tanzanian Shillings. The exception would be if you had a US dollar account (say with Barclays) then they may do the exchange.

History : In 2005 when the US became aware that notes printed before 2004/5 could be forged using smart software and advance scanners and printers the Federal Reserve began a process of withdrawing all the old notes and issued a totally new series which are very, very difficult to forge. The major difference - which Americans quickly appreciated were that the pictures of the various presidents were different in size - can't remember if its larger or smaller.
So BIG WARNING - when buying US currency only deal with reputable foreign exchange dealers or major banks and definitely ensure that the notes are new, or near new, in a good clean condition - no rips, pieces missing or badly creased.
Sorry that this is not the news you wanted to hear. Good luck.

First of all sorry, but it was also the fault of your tour operator. Normally every reputable TO write in his travel information about this. Now it is over. First of all important is the amount, which you have, it is just few 5 USD bills, then just let it. If it is a bigger amount, then you can try different Forex. There are some who change it for a smaller exchange rate, at least here in Arusha. there were some. But mormally they are totally worthless, unless you are one day in the US. Also it can be if you have a good relation to an American he will be able to change. I was once lucky that a teacher in the International School changed it for me, because my son is there.

Johannes
The Schimann Family

I did not book a Kilimanjaro tour or something, I am in Tanzania for education purposes. The institution I am learning at did not give this information about this currency problem, though.

I got these "old" Dollars from a bank in Germany. They of course did not know I was going to Africa with the money and I did not ask for "new" dollars because I had never heard of the issue.

I have now tried 4 or 5 banks/exchanges and none of them will take my "old" dollars. It is a substantial amount, not just a couple of dollars. So for now, I am letting the issue rest and I will probably take the money back to Europe (as it will be accepted there) - unless someone knows a bank in Moshi that will definately take the old USD and exchange them for new USD or Shillings.

thanks for all your advice, though.

Hi brokaaa - I am still totally at a loss to understand how ANY major European/German bank would still have these notes. As I said the US Federal Reserve would have notified ALL Central Banks (including the ECB or the German Bank) that ALL US currency printed before 2005 "must" be returned to the US and new notes provided on a "like for like" basis. Our Australian Reserve Bank received such a notice and directed ALL banks and foreign exchange bureaus to return ALL their US currency and get the new notes. I was advised of this when I first travelled to Tanzania in 2005 and was informed about the problem with the old notes and advised not to accept ANY US notes from anyone in East Africa.
I would be contacting my bank in Germany and lodging a very very strong complaint.
Hope everything eventually works out. Cheers

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