{
  "iso2": "ae",
  "name": "United Arab Emirates",
  "region": "Middle East",
  "bloc": "gcc",
  "verified": "2026-10-17",
  "authority": {
    "name": "Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security",
    "url": "https://icp.gov.ae/"
  },
  "currency": {
    "code": "AED",
    "declare_over": "AED 60,000"
  },
  "rules": {
    "alcohol": {
      "status": "limit",
      "headline": "4 litres or 2 cartons of beer",
      "detail": "Duty-free alcohol up to 4 litres, or 2 cartons of beer (24 cans of max 355 ml each); excess is confiscated. Alcohol is a restricted good and nothing is allowed for under-18s. Figures are from the Dubai Customs guide.",
      "source": "https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/OpenData/Publications/PassengerCustomsGuide.pdf"
    },
    "tobacco": {
      "status": "limit",
      "headline": "200 cigarettes / 50 cigars / 500 g",
      "detail": "Duty-free: 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 500 g tobacco (pipe, tumbak, hookah molasses). Excess is dutiable. Not allowed for under-18s. Figures are from the Dubai Customs guide.",
      "source": "https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/OpenData/Publications/PassengerCustomsGuide.pdf"
    },
    "cash": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Declare over AED 60,000",
      "detail": "Travellers 18+ must declare cash, cheques, precious metals or stones worth more than AED 60,000 (or foreign equivalent) on arrival or departure. Under-18s' amounts count toward the accompanying adult's.",
      "source": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/Tourist-services-and-information/Customs-clearance"
    },
    "duty_goods": {
      "status": "limit",
      "headline": "Gifts up to AED 3,000 duty-free",
      "detail": "Gifts accompanying the passenger are duty-free up to AED 3,000, if personal and non-commercial. Frequent visitors and traders do not qualify. Excess is dutiable.",
      "source": "https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/OpenData/Publications/PassengerCustomsGuide.pdf"
    },
    "meds_rx": {
      "status": "limit",
      "headline": "Personal prescriptions in normal quantity",
      "detail": "Prescribed medicines for personal use in normal quantity may be brought in. Medicines are otherwise a restricted good needing Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) approval.",
      "source": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/health-and-fitness/Health-and-wellbeing/drugs-and-controlled-medicines"
    },
    "meds_controlled": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Controlled meds need MoHAP permit",
      "detail": "Class A and B narcotic and psychotropic medicines cannot be freely imported. A MoHAP permit is needed, and narcotic drugs need separate MoHAP authorisation. Apply for the personal-use permit before travel.",
      "source": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/health-and-fitness/Health-and-wellbeing/drugs-and-controlled-medicines"
    },
    "cannabis": {
      "status": "banned",
      "headline": "Narcotics and recreational drugs banned",
      "detail": "Controlled or recreational drugs and narcotic substances are prohibited imports under UAE law and the GCC Common Customs Law.",
      "source": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/Tourist-services-and-information/Customs-clearance"
    },
    "vapes": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "E-cigarettes are restricted goods",
      "detail": "E-cigarettes and electronic hookahs are restricted: they may only be released with the approval of the competent authority.",
      "source": "https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/mobile/Pages/ProhibitedandRestrictedGoods.aspx"
    },
    "drones": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Drones need relevant permits",
      "detail": "Drones are listed among passenger goods that require a permit from the relevant authority before entry.",
      "source": "https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/OpenData/Publications/PassengerCustomsGuide.pdf"
    },
    "weapons": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Weapons need MoD/Interior approval",
      "detail": "Weapons, ammunition, explosives and fireworks are restricted and need approval from the Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces or Ministry of Interior.",
      "source": "https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/mobile/Pages/ProhibitedandRestrictedGoods.aspx"
    },
    "media": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Print and media need approval",
      "detail": "Printed and audio-visual material is restricted (National Media Council approval). Content that contradicts Islamic teachings, obscene material and pirated content is prohibited.",
      "source": "https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/OpenData/Publications/PassengerCustomsGuide.pdf"
    },
    "plants_seeds": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Plants need permit; no soil",
      "detail": "Live plants are restricted (Ministry of Climate Change and Environment approval). Agricultural seedlings containing soil are not allowed.",
      "source": "https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/OpenData/Publications/PassengerCustomsGuide.pdf"
    }
  },
  "gov_uk_slug": "united-arab-emirates",
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Customs clearance for visitors (UAE government portal)",
      "url": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/Tourist-services-and-information/Customs-clearance",
      "kind": "both",
      "lang": "en"
    },
    {
      "title": "Prohibited and restricted goods (Dubai Customs)",
      "url": "https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/mobile/Pages/ProhibitedandRestrictedGoods.aspx",
      "kind": "both",
      "lang": "en"
    },
    {
      "title": "Passenger Customs Guide (Dubai Customs)",
      "url": "https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/OpenData/Publications/PassengerCustomsGuide.pdf",
      "kind": "both",
      "lang": "en"
    },
    {
      "title": "Drugs and controlled medicines (UAE government portal)",
      "url": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/health-and-fitness/Health-and-wellbeing/drugs-and-controlled-medicines",
      "kind": "both",
      "lang": "en"
    },
    {
      "title": "Permit to import medicines for personal use (MoHAP)",
      "url": "https://mohap.gov.ae/en/w/issue-of-permit-to-import-medicines-for-personal-use",
      "kind": "inbound",
      "lang": "en",
      "unverified": true
    }
  ],
  "outbound": {
    "cash": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Declare over AED 60,000 when leaving",
      "detail": "Travellers leaving with more than AED 60,000 in cash, financial instruments, precious metals or stones (or foreign equivalent) must declare it, via the ICP website or Afseh app. Under-18s' amounts count toward the accompanying adult's.",
      "source": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/Tourist-services-and-information/Customs-clearance"
    },
    "cannabis": {
      "status": "banned",
      "headline": "Drugs and narcotics banned for export",
      "detail": "Controlled or recreational drugs and narcotic substances are on the UAE list of banned goods, which applies to import and export alike.",
      "source": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/Tourist-services-and-information/Customs-clearance"
    },
    "meds_rx": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Medicines need MoHAP approval to export",
      "detail": "Medicines and medical equipment are restricted goods needing prior approval from the Ministry of Health and Prevention before they are exported.",
      "source": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/Tourist-services-and-information/Customs-clearance"
    },
    "weapons": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Weapons need MoD/Interior approval",
      "detail": "Weapons, ammunition, explosives and fireworks need approval from the Ministry of Defence, Armed Forces or Ministry of Interior before export.",
      "source": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/Tourist-services-and-information/Customs-clearance"
    },
    "plants_seeds": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Live plants and animals need approval",
      "detail": "Live animals, plants, fertilisers and pesticides need prior approval from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment before export.",
      "source": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/Tourist-services-and-information/Customs-clearance"
    },
    "alcohol": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Alcohol export needs Interior/police approval",
      "detail": "Alcoholic drinks are restricted goods needing approval from the Ministry of Interior or Dubai Police before they are exported.",
      "source": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/Tourist-services-and-information/Customs-clearance"
    },
    "vapes": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "E-cigarettes restricted for export",
      "detail": "E-cigarettes and electronic hookahs are restricted goods needing approval from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.",
      "source": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/Tourist-services-and-information/Customs-clearance"
    },
    "media": {
      "status": "declare",
      "headline": "Print and media need approval",
      "detail": "Media publications and products need approval from the Ministry of Culture and Youth before export; material contradicting Islamic teachings is banned.",
      "source": "https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visiting-and-exploring-the-uae/Tourist-services-and-information/Customs-clearance"
    }
  }
}