Where to get XPF currency?

[slidey]

Is it possible to get french polynesian francs in the UK? Tesco travel exchange looked blank and said to use euros 🙂

[yonasl]

Do you really need it now?

I found that landing in a new country and using my Halifax Clarity card to get currency from an atm/cashpoint is the best combination (if you immediately transfer the amount to your card account you don’t pay interests and Halifax charges no fees for using foreign atm machines).

[slidey]

I dont really like getting somewhere with no currency cos all it then takes is the atm to be out of action and its a problem 🙂

[ChrisC]

I would assume that there isn’t a lot of demand for XPF currency

I just cheked and they aren’t available from Fair FX, M&S, Travelex or Thomas Exchange Global either

An old tripadvisoe thread said there is a bank at the airport open for all international arrivals so if that’s still the case it looks like it’s your only option.

Have you checked the airports website?

I guess a day trip to France isn’t an option? 🙂

[Froggee]

https://www.compareholidaymoney.com/buy-currency/central-pacific-francs.php

Obviously check that the site you click through to is legit. You shouldn’t need too much cash as cards are widely accepted.

[FearlessTraveller]

The French Polynesian Franc (XPF) is a closed currency, meaning that it is near impossible to get hold of it before you travel. However, you can buy the currency once you land. Also, the currency is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate, meaning you don’t have to worry about currency fluctuations.

[John]

A closed currency does not mean “it’s impossible to get”, it means that it’s illegal to bring in and out of the country concerned.

XPF is not a closed currency, in terms of physical cash. (Apparently bank transfers are restricted.)

The only proper place to get XPF in the UK I know of is Manor FX (manorfx.com) but the rate is awful. You can also get them from private currency dealers but that’s not for the uninitiated.

However, if you happen to be going to Paris, you can buy (and sell) XPF at the official pegged exchange rate directly from the Bank of France. This is only available at one particular office (39, rue Croix-Petits-Champs) and an appointment is required, even before covid.

https://www.banque-france.fr/en/banknotes/how-recognise-and-use-euro-banknotes-and-coins/where-can-i-exchange-banknote-what-do-i-do-if-i-suspect-banknote-counterfeit

Also there are lots of exchange shops around Gare du Nord which sell XPF, for example http://www.changemagenta.fr/devises/cours/prix.html

I’ve actually sold some XAF (central African CFA francs) to one of those shops – XAF is actually a closed currency. I bought them on ebay for half face value and sold them for 98% of face.