Click here to explore our guide to travelling safely through our airport at this time
Click here to explore our guide to travelling safely through our airport at this time

Find out what you may or may not bring into the UAE

Procedures

Customs

Strict laws apply regarding the import of specific items into the UAE. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with these.

Security checks upon arrival

Follow the Arrivals and Exit signs to Passport Control. After passing through Passport Control, you will arrive at the baggage carousels. Once you have collected your luggage you will pass through Customs control. If you have nothing to declare, simply pass through.

Duty free allowances

Each traveller is permitted to bring the following with them into the United Arab Emirates (UAE):

  • 4 litres of alcohol or one carton / 24 cans of beer
  • AED 2,000 worth of cigarettes or 400 sticks of cigarettes
  • AED 3,000 worth of gifts, including perfume
  • AED 3,000 worth of cigars
  • 2 kilograms of tobacco

It is important to know which substances or items are illegal or restricted before entering the UAE.

Drugs and medication

  • The UAE has a zero-tolerance drugs policy. Possession of even tiny amounts of illegal drugs will result in imprisonment.
  • A doctor's prescription should be carried along with any medication that is brought into the country. Some drugs and medications that may be purchased over-the-counter in other countries are classified as controlled substances in the UAE and are illegal to possess. A person may be arrested and prosecuted if in possession of prescribed or over-the-counter medicines containing, for example, codeine or similar ingredients.
  • Please contact your nearest UAE embassy or consulate for advice if you need to bring medications or other drugs into the country.
  • Controlled substances such as cannabis, opium etc. are banned and the penalties for handling these drugs are severe.

Firearms and weapons

The importation of firearms and dangerous weapons is restricted.

Print, audio, video or other media

  • Religious propaganda and potentially offensive printed materials, CDs, videos or films should not be brought into the country.
  • Strict copyright laws are being enforced in the UAE, and pirated video and audiotapes or illegal computer software will be confiscated.

Money

The UAE has a robust system in place to combat money laundering and suspicious financial activities. It is every passenger's duty to declare and submit the appropriate forms to customs officials upon entering and departing the UAE.

In line with international criteria and global best practices, when entering or exiting the UAE, you are required to declare cash, or any other financial instrument exceeding AED 60,000. There is no restriction on the amount of cash that you may carry. The declaration is for monitoring and statistical purposes.

Where can I declare money exceeding AED 60,000?