Let's walk through which kinds of damage are "tolerable," what the NBK rules say, and how the collection service works for the genuinely difficult cases.

The 55% / 45% rule

International practice (including in Kazakhstan) applies the following rule: a bill is considered fit if at least 55% of its surface area is preserved.

That means:

• A small corner torn off (loss of up to 10–15% of the area) → fit.
• The bill is torn into two pieces, you have both, they can be put back together → fit.
• More than half the bill is missing → not fit, exchange only via the collection service.

Fitness also requires the preservation of signs of validity:

• The serial number is visible and readable
• Security features are preserved (watermark, security thread)
• The main design is recognizable
• The bill has not undergone serious chemical treatment

If these signs are intact, the bank is required to accept the bill at the standard rate — with no fee.

Which kinds of damage are accepted without issue

Minor damage that doesn't affect validity:

• Smudges, pen marks
• Small oil stains
• Minor edge tears
• Folds and creases
• Light wear
• Small holes (from a stapler, for example)

In these cases the exchange goes through at the standard rate. No fees, no delays.

Which kinds of damage are problematic

Serious damage:

• The bill has been torn and taped back together (two pieces of the same bill with matching serial numbers — usually accepted, but they may ask for a longer check).
• The bill has been through the wash. After washing, mold often appears — the banknote becomes brittle, security features may be compromised.
• The bill has been burned (with charred edges or fire-made holes).
• The bill has been treated with chemicals (bleach, dye).
• Worn down to the point that design elements are barely readable.

In these cases the standard exchange may not go through. The alternative is the collection service.

What the foreign currency collection service is

The collection service ("inkasso") is the procedure of sending a questionable bill to the issuing bank (in the case of USD, essentially via a correspondent bank in the United States) for verification and authentication.

Here's how it works:

1. You go to a bank that offers the collection service.
2. You hand over the bill, fill out an application, and pay the fee.
3. The bill is sent for verification through a correspondent bank.
4. Verification takes anywhere from 2 months to 1.5–2 years.
5. If the bill is judged fit, you receive its equivalent (at the rate on the payout day), minus the fee.
6. If it's judged unfit, you get nothing back (or you get the fee back — depends on the bank).

Collection service fee: under NBK rules, it must not exceed 10% of the bill's face value. The specific tariffs are set by each bank, usually 5–10%.

Which banks in Kazakhstan handle the collection service

Not every bank offers the service. The reliable ones are the major banks:

• Halyk Bank — offers the foreign currency collection service.
• Bank CenterCredit — handles collection.
• ForteBank — offers the service.
• Freedom Bank, Bereke Bank — selectively, better to check.

Many banks in Kazakhstan have scaled back the collection service in recent years because of the increasing complexity of international correspondent relationships. Before heading out, call ahead and confirm current availability.

Chain exchange offices generally do not offer the collection service.

Alternatives to the collection service

If your damaged bill wasn't accepted and you don't want to wait two years:

1. Try another bank. Sometimes one bank refuses and another accepts. Especially when the damage is borderline (around 45–55% of the area).

2. Hand it over to a bank at a discount. Some major banks may offer a compromise — accept the bill at a 10–30% discount, without sending it to the collection service. This is legal if both sides agree.

3. Use the bill to pay in the U.S. or another country. If you're planning a trip — damaged bills are sometimes easier to exchange in the issuing country (at a U.S. bank, through an ATM).

4. Keep it as a souvenir. If the amount is small (USD 1–5), it's sometimes easier to keep it as a memento than spend time on the collection process.

Checklist before exchanging a damaged bill

• you've estimated the percentage of the bill that's preserved (if less than 55%, a standard exchange isn't possible)
• you've checked the readability of the serial numbers and the presence of security features
• if the bill is torn into pieces — you've gathered all the fragments and checked that the serial numbers match
• if the damage is minor — you're heading to a major bank, ready for the standard rate
• if the damage is serious — you've called ahead to confirm the collection service is available
• you're ready for a 5–10% fee and a 2–12 month wait if using the collection service
• you've brought your ID (mandatory for filing collection paperwork)

What will definitely not be accepted

• Counterfeit bills (by law subject to seizure, and you may be subject to investigation).
• Bills with more than 55% of the surface area lost and no way to restore them.
• Bills treated with special money-laundering agents (this is visible during inspection).
• Bills with damaged security features that prevent authentication.
• Bills with markings that could be interpreted as laundering codes (unusual codes, letter sequences).

Prevention

To avoid ever asking "how do I exchange a damaged dollar":

• Store dollars in a dry place, without humidity swings.
• Don't put bills in your jeans pockets — they may end up in the washing machine.
• Don't use rubber bands — they eventually tear bills along the folds.
• Don't staple stacks of bills — it leaves holes.
• Use envelopes or dedicated wallets for storing bills.
• Don't write on bills — even a small note can become a reason for nitpicking.

Common mistakes

Taking a very damaged bill straight to a small exchange office. High chance of refusal. Better to go straight to a major bank or to the collection service.

Not calling ahead. The collection service is offered to different degrees at different banks. You can drive around to five places and not get the service anywhere.

Agreeing to a discount above 30%. If a bank offers to take the bill on the spot at a 50% discount, that violates NBK rules (the fee must not exceed 10%, and a discount is essentially a fee equivalent). Better to go to another bank.

Selling to private buyers "at a preferential rate." That's often how counterfeits or truly bad bills get passed along. It's illegal.

Losing hope on a borderline bill. If the damage is around 45–55%, try 2–3 major banks — they may accept it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I exchange a torn dollar in Kazakhstan? If the damage is minor (loss of less than 45% of the area) and the signs of validity are preserved — yes, at the standard rate.

What do I do with a dollar that's been through the wash? If the bill hasn't fallen apart and all the security features are visible — try to exchange it at a major bank. If it's in bad shape — collection service only.

What's the collection service fee in Kazakhstan? Under NBK rules, no more than 10% of face value. Specifically, different banks charge 5–10%.

How long does the collection process take? From 2 months to 1.5–2 years. More often 4–8 months.

Which banks in Almaty handle foreign currency collection? Reliably — Halyk Bank, BCC, ForteBank. Not all banks currently offer this service — better to check ahead.

Can I exchange a burned dollar? If more than 55% of the area and the security features are preserved — yes, usually via the collection service. If less — refused.

What do I do if a bill is torn into two pieces? Bring both pieces — if the serial numbers match, the bank usually accepts (they may ask you to wait a bit for verification).

The bottom line

Damaged dollars in Kazakhstan can be exchanged — it's a matter of how badly they're damaged:

• Light damage — standard exchange at the regular rate.
• Moderate damage — a major bank, with a compromise possible.
• Serious damage — the collection service, with a 5–10% fee and a wait of 2 to 24 months.

The main rule: the more serious the damage, the more important it is to go to a major bank and call ahead. And remember: even a badly damaged bill usually has value — the key is knowing where to turn.