• A damaged dollar note can be exchanged in Belarus, but not always on the spot and not always at the posted rate.
• Light damage (a small fold, a minor stain, worn corners) usually isn't a problem: the note goes through the standard check and is exchanged at the posted rate.
• Serious damage (a tear, sticky-tape repairs, foreign markings, a heavy stain, wear in the security zones) leads to one of three outcomes: a reduced rate, collection processing, or refusal.
• Main advice: with serious damage, take the note to a major bank, not to a station-area exchange office. Major banks more often accept via collection processing and less often refuse.
• If the note is torn in half — you need both halves. Without one of them, the chance of an exchange is close to zero.

Below is a practical breakdown: what counts as "light" vs "serious" damage, how collection processing works, and the action plan for an old or worn note.

What banks consider a "damaged" note

Under NBRB rules and Belarusian banking practice, a note counts as damaged if it has:

• A torn edge or corner. Especially if the tear runs deep into the note.
• Sticky tape or any glue repair. Any artificial repair makes the note "damaged" in the teller's eyes.
• Foreign markings, stamps, ink. Ink writing, stamps, smudges.
• A heavy stain or soiling, especially in the security zones (portrait, watermark, security thread).
• Wear in the security zones. If the print in the watermark area is rubbed off — the note is in question.
• Missing part. Any tear-off or hole.
• Heavily worn — soft to the touch, with multiple small tears along the edges.

Light corner wear, a slight crease down the middle, a small stain outside the security zones — usually not classed as "damage" that blocks exchange.

What can happen at the counter

Scenario 1: the note is accepted at the posted rate. The teller runs it through the detector, it passes, and the transaction goes ahead as normal. This works for light damage.

Scenario 2: the note is accepted at a reduced rate. The bank may offer to take the note not at the board rate but at a slightly worse one. This is a "risk premium" — the bank protecting itself in case the U.S. Federal Reserve later refuses the note in circulation.

Scenario 3: the note is sent for collection processing. The bank takes the note but doesn't pay out BYN on the spot. The note is sent for special processing, and you receive BYN several days later (usually 5–10 business days, sometimes longer). The collection rate is a separate one, sometimes worse than the board rate.

Scenario 4 (rare): refusal. With very severe damage or if authenticity can't be verified, the bank may refuse. Two fallback options: try another major bank, or submit it for collection processing wherever that's possible.

What to know about collection processing

Collection processing is a procedure where the bank sends the note off for special handling (often via a correspondent bank abroad) to verify its authenticity and fitness. In effect it's a "deferred exchange":

• The bank takes the note from you, you fill out an application.
• The bank sends the note for verification.
• Several days (or weeks, depending on the bank) later the verification ends.
• If the note is confirmed — BYN are credited to your account or paid out in cash.
• If not confirmed — the note is returned to the client in its original form, no BYN are credited.

The bank may charge a separate fee for collection processing. Before handing over the note, find out the terms: timing, fee, the rate that will apply when BYN is paid out.

Compare rates right now

The rate in the widget applies to normal notes without caveats. For damaged notes, the bank will quote a specific rate at the counter, often after a visual inspection. The gap is sometimes 0.05–0.1 BYN per dollar, sometimes more.

What to do with a specific note

Light crease, stain outside the security zones, worn corners. Take it to any outlet from the widget's top 5. Exchange goes at the posted rate, with a standard check.

Torn edge, sticky-tape repair, small writing. Better to go to a major bank (Belarusbank, Belinvestbank, Priorbank, BPS-Sberbank, Belagroprombank). Reduced rate or collection processing is possible.

Note torn in half, both halves with you. At a major bank — almost always via collection processing. No cash BYN on the spot.

Note torn in half, one half missing. Chances of exchange are close to zero. A piece of a note (especially the smaller half) is usually not accepted.

Note partly burnt. If more than 50% is preserved and the security features are visible — via collection processing at a major bank. If less — practically impossible.

Note washed in a washing machine. If it's intact and readable — take it to a major bank. If some security features are lost — into collection processing.

Comparison table: damage type and where to go

Action plan

1. Assess the damage. If light — take it to any bank from the widget. If serious — call a major bank first.
2. Clarify the collection terms if the damage is serious. Timing, fee, payout rate.
3. Bring your passport. ID is mandatory when submitting a note for collection.
4. At the counter, confirm the rate the transaction will use. If it's a reduced rate — weigh it up.
5. Get a confirmation slip when submitting for collection. It's your only proof that the bank received the note.
6. Wait. With collection — several days or weeks.

FAQ

Can I exchange a taped-up note in Belarus?

Usually yes, but not always on the spot. A major bank will take a taped note at a reduced rate or send it for collection. A street exchange office may refuse.

Do they accept notes torn in half?

Yes, via collection processing, if you have both halves and they can be joined together. If one half is missing — chances of exchange are close to zero.

What to do with a burnt note?

If more than 50% is preserved and the security features are visible — major bank, via collection processing. If less — practically impossible.

How long does collection take?

Usually 5–10 business days. Sometimes up to several weeks. Check exact timing at the specific bank.

Does the bank charge a fee for collection?

Some banks — yes. It's a separate charge, and the terms are in their fee schedule. Check before handing over the note.

Can I wash a dollar note in a washing machine and then exchange it?

If it's intact and readable — usually yes. If the security features are damaged — via collection processing at a major bank.

Where can I see the USD rate for exchanging normal notes?

In the widget at the top of this article and in the guide to dollars in Minsk. For damaged notes, the bank will quote a specific rate at the counter.