Black Market

The best rate is at black market and it's also more easy to change the notes.
It could be challenging in some banks...

Michel

Thanks Michel. And there will be no problem when leaving the country?

No problem if you not declare all your money when you arrive.
Black market means black money...

Michel

Cheers. That was what was confusing me. The guidebooks all talk about the black market as being something fairly normal in Uzbekistan but then they also say you have to declare money on entry and prove money exchange on departure.

I'm a bit confused re all this - quite aware re black market generally - just curious what happens when you leave country and you cannot show any 'proof' you changed at least some money at bank or used ATM - don't Uzbek customs ask for such proof or at least quiz how you stayed for a week or two without changing money (legally i mean)?

At the airport, they target the proof provide by OVIR for the hotels...

Michel

Michel - thanks we are travelling by train OVIR will still apply so keep that in mind - so they don't worry about money only the OVIR is that what you are saying?

Guys, relax.
1) Registration is done by hotels automatically, no need to involve OVIR in it (unless you stay at private houses and not hotels). These slips can be checked at departure airport(in my case were not), at train stations (happened to me) and (there is some anecdotal evidence) at check-in of the next hotel. There is no set standard for those slips, sometimes they look like junk, but make sure you get them and keep them. For those nights you spent on trains just keep tickets.
2) Upon arrival and departure declare ALL your money, including those leftovers of Russian / Indian / Turkish / whatever country you transit through currency. It is very unlikely they are going to check it, but if they do and find undeclared currency, it can be confiscated, either with or without legal proceedings.
3) Make sure you don't have more foreign currency upon departure than upon arrival.
That's it. There is no legal requirement to prove exchange or ATM withdrawal, and they know it pretty well. If asked questions, smile, look straight into their eyes and say you draw your energy directly from sunlight and don't need to buy food. There is nothing they can do about it.
PS I am not sure about taking Uzbek sums out of the country - maybe it is illegal. Anyway you don't need tham outside Uzbekistan.

thanks heeps - this helps re the money - geoff