Source: https://rivet.global/blog/mauritius-exporters-and-tourism-collecting-eur-gbp
Published: 2026-11-02 · Updated: 2026-11-02 · By Rashidatou K.

# Mauritian exporters and tourism businesses collecting euros and pounds

Mauritius earns from tourism and exports, mostly from European buyers and visitors. How to collect euros and pounds in full and convert to rupees.

## Key takeaways

- Mauritius abolished exchange controls in 1994; companies can hold foreign currency freely.
- Tourism and exports bring in mainly euros and pounds from European visitors and buyers.
- Converting foreign currency to rupees on a schedule, rather than on arrival, gives control over the rate.
- Sterling and euro details let European partners pay domestically.

A Grand Baie hotel group receives euros from French tour operators and pounds from British ones, and a sister company exports knitwear to buyers in Paris and London. All payments used to land in rupee accounts, converted on arrival. The group now holds euros and pounds and converts each month ahead of payroll.

## No exchange controls

Mauritius abolished exchange controls in 1994. Companies can hold foreign currency accounts, receive payments from abroad and convert when they choose.

## Who pays

- French and European tour operators pay hotels in euros.
- UK tour operators in pounds.
- EU and UK buyers of garments, sugar and seafood in euros and pounds.

## Hold and convert

Hold euros and pounds as they arrive. Pay foreign costs from them, such as imported food, equipment and fabric. Convert a planned amount to rupees ahead of payroll.

## Local details for partners

UK tour operators pay sterling details by Faster Payments in seconds. EU partners pay a euro IBAN by SEPA. Both arrive in full.

## Paying into Mauritius: the local rail

| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local rail | MauCAS instant payments |
| Run by | Bank of Mauritius |
| Settlement | Seconds, 24/7 |

Source: [Bank of Mauritius: MauCAS](https://www.bom.mu/). Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.

## Where Rivet fits

A Rivet business account accepts registered companies after verification, including Mauritian companies. Approved companies get euro details with an IBAN and sterling details from the Growth plan and US account details on every plan, in their own name. Balances can be held, used to pay suppliers in 120+ countries, or converted at a rate shown before you confirm. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds.

## Questions

### Does Mauritius have exchange controls?

No. Exchange controls were abolished in 1994.

### Which currencies do Mauritian hotels receive?

Mainly euros from French and other European tour operators, pounds from UK operators, and some dollars and rand.

### Should exporters hold euros?

If they pay for imported inputs or services in euros, yes. Convert the surplus to rupees when it suits.

### How do UK tour operators pay fastest?

To sterling details by Faster Payments, rather than by international transfer.