The answer is simple. When the bank accepts the note, it must be confident that the note can later be handed out to a client or partner without questions. If the note looks suspect, the bank hedges — either lowers the rate or refuses. This article covers which damage is "forgivable", which is not, and what to do with already damaged dollars.

Damage categories and how banks react

1. Light wear and folds. A used note, generally flat, no tears or stains. Accepted almost everywhere, usually without a discount or with a minimal one (up to 1%).

2. Heavy wear and abrasions. A "tired" note, worn through on folds, possibly small punctures. Some banks accept at a 1–3% discount, others refuse.

3. Stamps from exchange offices or banks. Ink stamps from previous cashiers. By formal Fed rules such notes remain legal tender, but in Tajik practice they are treated cautiously. A 2–5% discount or refusal.

4. Marker or pen writing. Any writing (names, numbers, marks) makes the note "questionable". In most Tajik banks — refused.

5. Tears, punctures. If the tear is small and does not touch the serial numbers, the note may be accepted at a 3–5% discount. Large tears — refusal.

6. Tape repairs. A note repaired with tape or otherwise is almost guaranteed refusal.

7. Wash marks, paint, stains. Any colour damage will alarm the bank. Often refused.

8. Burned edges, chemical traces. Refused almost always; such notes are formally subject to replacement at the Federal Reserve or a certified point.

Widget: rates for clean banknotes

The widget shows rates for dollars in normal condition. For damaged notes the actual rate will be lower or the operation will not go through.

How banks check banknotes

At the moment of exchange the cashier runs several checks:

1. Visual inspection. Integrity, colour, stamps, writing.
2. Held up to the light. Watermark, security threads.
3. By touch. The distinctive texture of dollar paper.
4. Under a UV lamp. Security elements should glow.
5. Magnetic check. Some security elements are magnetic.
6. If in doubt — an authentication device. Specialist equipment.

Most "worn" notes pass all checks and are accepted. Trouble starts when the damage hinders the inspection or raises suspicion.

What to do if a note is refused

Step 1. Ask the reason. The cashier will often explain what raised the question. That helps decide whether to try another bank.

Step 2. Try another bank. Approaches differ. A note refused at one branch may be accepted at another.

Step 3. Check with large central branches. They handle large volumes, have wider expertise, and more often accept at a discount instead of refusing.

Step 4. Reach out to banks with a cash-collection service. Sometimes such banks take "questionable" notes for inspection and return them in a few days either accepted at full price or with a justified refusal.

Step 5. If all options are exhausted — consider repair or exchange via the US. Heavily damaged notes are formally subject to exchange at the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing. That is real but laborious: you have to send them by post to the US. In practice — for collectors or for very large sums.

Preparing to exchange damaged notes

If you know that not all your notes are perfect:

1. Sort them. Clean ones separately, damaged ones separately.
2. Exchange the clean ones first. At the bank with the best rate in the widget.
3. For damaged ones, call ahead. "I have $1,000; $300 of it is with wear. Will you take it?"
4. Be ready for a discount. Psychologically it is easier to accept a 2% discount than not to exchange at all.

Alternative: take it to the bank where you have an account

If you have a foreign-currency account at a Tajik bank, sometimes damaged notes can be brought to your bank and simply credited to the account. The discount may be smaller or absent. Then you can withdraw somoni from the account at the bank's rate. Especially relevant for large sums with several damaged notes.

A special case: a suspected counterfeit

If the cashier suspects the note is counterfeit (not just damaged), the procedure is different:

1. The note is seized. An act is drawn up for it.
2. You are issued a protocol with a copy of the note.
3. The note is sent for expert review — usually at the NBT.
4. According to the expert review: if genuine — returned to you or credited on request; if counterfeit — seized without compensation.

In Tajikistan such cases are rare but possible. Important: even if you are absolutely sure of authenticity, do not insist on "immediate return". Take the protocol, then resolve it via the bank or the NBT.

What not to count as damage

A few typical worries that in practice are not a problem:

• A light fold from a wallet. Normal, accepted everywhere.
• A light smell (if not chemical). Normal.
• A small grease mark in a corner. More often accepted without a discount or with a minimal one.
• A light age-yellowing. Normal.
• Counting-machine marks (small dots). The norm for notes in circulation.

If your note is "used" but without obvious defects, it will be exchanged without trouble.

Related topics

• Do banks accept old dollars in Tajikistan — about series and years.
• Which dollars Tajik banks accept — general reference.
• Where to exchange dollars in Dushanbe — the main guide.

Frequently asked questions

Are dollars with writing accepted in Tajikistan?

At most banks — no. Notes with writing, even small, are considered "questionable". If you have a choice, bring clean ones. If not — call the bank in advance.

Can a torn dollar be exchanged?

If the tear is small and does not touch the serial numbers — some banks will accept it at a 3–5% discount. Large tears or tape repairs — almost always a refusal.

What about stamps on dollars?

One stamp that is easy to read — sometimes accepted with a small discount. Multiple stamps or stamps covering important elements — usually refused. Better to take to a large bank with broader expertise.

Are worn dollars accepted?

Light wear and folds — yes, everywhere. Heavy wear with see-through abrasions — with a discount or refusal.

Can a note with a water mark be exchanged?

If the mark is small and has not blurred the security elements — yes. If the note is deformed, crumpled and hard to read — usually refused.

What to do with a note that got paint on it?

Most often — refusal. The bank cannot put such a note back into circulation. Alternative — exchange via the US Fed (for very large or collector cases).

Can I hand damaged dollars to the NBT?

The NBT does not typically deal directly with individuals on damaged-note exchange. That is done by authorised banks. If every bank has refused — sometimes you can approach via a large commercial bank with a cash-collection service.

Why do banks fuss about banknote condition?

Because the bank has to be sure the note can later be handed back to a client. If there is a risk that the next client will refuse it, the bank does not want to take that risk.