A paper sheet handling apparatus capable of effectively preventing a photodetector from malfunctioning due to external light (600) is provided. The present invention is a paper sheet handling apparatus including a paper sheet handling port, a projector (217) for emitting light within the paper sheet handling port, a photodetector (218) for receiving the light emitted from the projector (217), and a light-shielding body that is formed along an optical path from the projector (217) towards the photodetector (218) and shields the photodetector (218) against external light (600); wherein a projector-side end of the light-shielding body is formed to be retracted from an incident direction of the external light (600) towards the photodetector (218).