United Arab Emirates

98 rules, checked against the United Arab Emirates’s own pages. Last verified September 12, 2026.

Before anything else

4 rules here carry a consequence heavy enough to state whether or not you asked.

Prohibited in United Arab Emirates

UAE bans indecent or obscene material of any kind at the border.

Confiscation

Source · verified Sep 7

Prohibited in United Arab Emirates

UAE bans cannabis of any form from traveler baggage.

Source · verified Sep 7

Action required in United Arab Emirates

Bringing controlled medicines into the UAE without approval can lead to prosecution.

Prosecution

Source · verified Sep 6

Action required in United Arab Emirates

Declare cash, cheques, or precious metals worth AED 60,000 or more crossing UAE borders.

Source · verified Sep 5

The final decision rests with the officer.

Look up anything

You do not have to be bringing it.

Food and plants 12
Medication 39
Alcohol 1
Tobacco, vapes, and nicotine 4
Electronics 2
Drones and professional gear 1
Satellite and radio equipment 1
Liquids at the checkpoint 1
Cash and monetary instruments 5
Purchases and valuables 2
Duty-free allowances 6
Antiques and other restricted goods 5
Forms and documents 10
Vaccines and health 8
Plugs and power 1

Food and plants 12

Biosecurity authority
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Dairy
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Declaring food
- Everything is declared
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Eggs
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Fresh fruit
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Honey
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Meat and meat products
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Nuts
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Sealed packaged snacks
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Seeds, plants, soil
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Spices
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Vegetables
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 7

Medication 39

A pharmacist checks each medicine before it is listed here. What follows is what the health authority publishes for every traveler.

Alprazolam
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Amphetamine
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Apply this far ahead
- 0 days
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Atomoxetine
- Standing Not listed as restricted by MOHAP
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Buprenorphine
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Cannabidiol
- Standing Not listed as restricted by MOHAP
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Clonazepam
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Codeine
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Dextroamphetamine
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Dextromethorphan
- Standing Not listed as restricted by MOHAP
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Diazepam
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Estradiol
- Standing Not listed as restricted by MOHAP
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Gabapentin
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Health authority
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Hormone therapy
- Standing Not listed as restricted by MOHAP
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Hydrocodone
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Insulin
- Standing Not listed as restricted by MOHAP
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Insulin and needles
- Standing Not listed as restricted by MOHAP
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Ketamine
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Lisdexamfetamine
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Lorazepam
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Medication regime
- Controlled medicines need a permitProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Methamphetamine
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Methylphenidate
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Modafinil
- Standing Not listed as restricted by MOHAP
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Morphine
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Oxycodone
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Permit
- Permit to Import Medicines for Personal Use (MOHAP)
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Permit page
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Pregabalin
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Prescription or letter
- Required
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Pseudoephedrine
- Standing Limited quantityConfiscation
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysConfiscation
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Pseudoephedrine decongestants
- Standing Limited quantityConfiscation
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Quantity ceiling
- 90 days
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Semaglutide
- Standing Not listed as restricted by MOHAP
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Testosterone
- Standing Not listed as restricted by MOHAP
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Tramadol
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6
Zolpidem
- Quantity ceiling 30 daysProsecution
  
  Source · verified Sep 6

Alcohol 1

Alcohol, any kind
- Alcohol allowance 4 liters
  
  age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 7

Tobacco, vapes, and nicotine 4

Cigarettes
- Tobacco allowance 200
  
  age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Cigars
- Tobacco allowance 50
  
  age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Loose tobacco
- Tobacco allowance 500 grams
  
  age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Vape or e-cigarette device
- Standing Must be declared
  
  arriving by air
  
  Source · verified Sep 7

Electronics 2

Laptops at the checkpoint
- Out of the bag
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Used personal effects
- Exempt
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

Drones and professional gear 1

Drone
- Standing A permit is required
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

Satellite and radio equipment 1

Satellite phone
- Permit page Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

Liquids at the checkpoint 1

Liquids in a carry-on bag
- 100 ml
  
  Source · verified Sep 7

Cash and monetary instruments 5

Cash declaration form
- iDeclare
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Gold
- Gold, precious metals, and precious stones count toward the same AED 60,000 cash-declaration threshold as cash, cheques, promissory notes, and payment orders; there is no separate lower threshold for gold alone.
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
What counts as cash
- Cash, Cheques, Promissory notes, Payment orders, Precious metals, Precious stones
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
When cash is declared
- Arriving and leaving
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Who the threshold counts
- Each traveler
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

Purchases and valuables 2

Duty over the allowance
- 5%
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Duty-free allowance
- AED 3,000
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

Duty-free allowances 6

Alcohol, any kind
- Alcohol at the arrivals shop 4 liters
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Arrivals duty-free shop
- There is one
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Cigarettes
- Tobacco at the arrivals shop 200
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Cigars
- Tobacco at the arrivals shop 50
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Duty free authority page
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Loose tobacco
- Tobacco at the arrivals shop 500 grams
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

Antiques and other restricted goods 5

Arrive before departure
- 3 hours
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Aviation security authority
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Customs authority
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
How you declare
- Red and green channels
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Shoes at the checkpoint
- Varies by checkpoint
  
  Source · verified Sep 7

Forms and documents 10

Biometrics at the border
- Taken at the border
  
  arriving · visitors
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Customs form
- iDeclare
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Customs form page
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
e-Visa
- There is one
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
e-Visa
- UAE entry permit / eVisa (ICP or GDRFA-Dubai); Multiple entry 5-year tourist visa (ICP)
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
e-Visa page
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Leaving the terminal in transit
- Required
  
  in transit
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Lookalike sites
- The authority publishes one
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Onward ticket
- Required
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Passport validity
- 6 months
  
  Source · verified Sep 7

Vaccines and health 8

Certificate from age
- 9 months
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Health notes for this destination
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Insurance page
- Official page
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Malaria
- CDC's traveler page for the United Arab Emirates lists no malaria section and no antimalarial medicine recommendation for the country.
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Travel health insurance
- Required
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Yellow fever certificate
- Required arriving from a risk area
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Yellow fever in transit
- Required on a connection over 12 hours
  
  Source · verified Sep 7
Yellow fever risk area
- No
  
  Source · verified Sep 7

Plugs and power 1

Plug types
- C, D, G
  
  Source · verified Sep 12

From the Gulf Cooperation Council

The United Arab Emirates applies these alongside its own rules. A national rule that states its own figure wins.

Alcohol, any kind
- Duty over the allowance 50%
  
  arriving
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
- Alcohol allowance 4 liters
  
  arriving · age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Beer
- Alcohol allowance 17.04 liters
  
  arriving · age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Cash declaration threshold
- AED 60,000
  
  age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Cigarettes
- Tobacco allowance 400
  
  arriving · age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
- Duty over the allowance 100%
  
  arriving
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Cigars
- Tobacco allowance 50
  
  arriving · age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Duty over the allowance
- 5%
  
  arriving
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Gift allowance
- AED 3,000
  
  arriving
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Gold
- Gold and other precious metals or stones are not a separate declaration category: they are included, alongside cash, cheques, promissory notes, and payment orders, in the single monetary-instrument threshold a passenger must declare.
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
How you declare
- Red and green channels
  
  arriving
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Loose tobacco
- Tobacco allowance 500 grams
  
  arriving · age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
What counts as cash
- Cash, Cheques, Promissory notes, Payment orders, Precious metals, Precious stones
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
When cash is declared
- Arriving and leaving
  
  age 18+
  
  Source · verified Sep 5
Who the threshold counts
- Each traveler
  
  Source · verified Sep 5

The United Arab Emirates publishes these

Who publishes these rules

Customs Dubai Customs
Immigration Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP)
Biosecurity Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE)
Health Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP)
Civil aviation General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)

Official portals

iDeclare Self-declaration app for arriving travelers: goods, cash, gold/jewelry, drones, satellite phones
TDRA Type Approval Telecom equipment type-approval regime and personal-use exemption; licensing for satellite phone and radio equipment use
MOHAP - Permit to Import Medicines for Personal Use Optional electronic approval for travelers/residents bringing narcotic and psychotropic (controlled) medicines into the UAE for personal use
u.ae - Check if you need a visa to enter the UAE Federal government portal page on visa-on-arrival eligibility, passport validity, and the ICP/GDRFA-Dubai visa-issuing authorities
GDRFA-Dubai Dubai's own General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs; issues visit/tourist visas and entry permits alongside federal ICP

Sites that charge extra to “handle” a the United Arab Emirates application are not official. The government issues these directly.

United Arab Emirates

Before anything else

UAE bans indecent or obscene material of any kind at the border.

UAE bans cannabis of any form from traveler baggage.

Bringing controlled medicines into the UAE without approval can lead to prosecution.

Declare cash, cheques, or precious metals worth AED 60,000 or more crossing UAE borders.

Look up anything

Food and plants 12

Biosecurity authority

Dairy

Declaring food

Eggs

Fresh fruit

Honey

Meat and meat products

Nuts

Sealed packaged snacks

Seeds, plants, soil

Spices

Vegetables

Medication 39

Alprazolam

Amphetamine

Apply this far ahead

Atomoxetine

Buprenorphine

Cannabidiol

Clonazepam

Codeine

Dextroamphetamine

Dextromethorphan

Diazepam

Estradiol

Gabapentin

Health authority

Hormone therapy

Hydrocodone

Insulin

Insulin and needles

Ketamine

Lisdexamfetamine

Lorazepam

Medication regime

Methamphetamine

Methylphenidate

Modafinil

Morphine

Oxycodone

Permit

Permit page

Pregabalin

Prescription or letter

Pseudoephedrine

Pseudoephedrine decongestants

Quantity ceiling

Semaglutide

Testosterone

Tramadol

Zolpidem

Alcohol 1

Alcohol, any kind

Tobacco, vapes, and nicotine 4

Cigarettes

Cigars

Loose tobacco

Vape or e-cigarette device

Electronics 2

Laptops at the checkpoint

Used personal effects

Drones and professional gear 1

Drone

Satellite and radio equipment 1

Satellite phone

Liquids at the checkpoint 1

Liquids in a carry-on bag

Cash and monetary instruments 5

Cash declaration form

Gold

What counts as cash

When cash is declared