Import restrictions for the UAE 🇦🇪
Updated: July 2026
Customs rules can change. Before sending a parcel or travelling, check the current requirements on the customs authority's website. This material is for reference only and is not legal advice.
General information
These rules are useful both for people carrying items across the border themselves and for those sending a parcel with a fellow traveller. Personal belongings (clothing, laptop, phone, photo and video equipment, etc.) for your own use are imported duty-free. Gifts and personal goods worth up to AED 3,000 are also exempt from duty — provided they are for personal use, not in commercial quantities, and you are not a frequent carrier of such goods.
✅ Allowed with restrictions
💰 Cash
You may carry up to AED 60,000 (≈ USD 16,335) without declaring it. The rule also covers monetary instruments, precious metals and stones, and applies to persons aged 18 and over.
You can declare the amount via the official website or the Afseh app — on Google Play and the App Store.
🚬 Tobacco and alcohol
Persons aged 18 and over may import duty-free:
- tobacco — up to 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 500 g of tobacco;
- alcohol (non-Muslims only) — up to 4 litres of spirits or 2 cases of beer (24 cans of no more than 355 ml each).
Anything above these limits is subject to duty (50% for alcohol, 100% for cigarettes) and VAT. Allowances may vary slightly between emirates.
🍕 Food
Home-cooked food may not be imported. A small amount of non-perishable food for personal use is allowed, but pork and non-halal meat are prohibited.
💊 Medicines
Personal medicines are imported with a doctor's prescription (issued in the name of the person carrying them), in a quantity no greater than a 3-month supply.
Important: for medicines containing narcotic, controlled or semi-controlled substances, you must obtain approval from the UAE Ministry of Health (MOHAP) in advance (before arrival). The UAE enforces this strictly: a number of common medicines (for example, those containing codeine) are classed as controlled — check the composition beforehand.
🐈 Pets
To bring in a cat or dog you will need:
- an import permit (valid for 30 days from the date of issue);
- an international veterinary passport with the microchip number, a description of the pet (species, colour, sex, date of birth) and vaccination records;
- a parasite examination document (valid for 2 weeks);
- a rabies vaccination certificate (for a first vaccination — at least 21 days before entry; no interval is required for a booster);
- a health certificate confirming a check-up within 24 hours before arrival.
The import of certain dog breeds is prohibited, including: American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, Dogo Argentino, Boxer, Bullmastiff, Boerboel, Doberman Pinscher, Indian Mastiff, Presa Canario, Canary Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff), Tosa (Japanese Mastiff).
❌ Also prohibited without special permits:
- all types of narcotic substances;
- gambling devices of all kinds;
- counterfeit and forged goods, counterfeit currency;
- nylon (three-layer) fishing nets;
- raw ivory and rhinoceros horn;
- live pigs;
- used, retreaded and inlaid tyres;
- radiation-contaminated substances;
- red laser pointers;
- paan and betel leaves;
- items contrary to the Islamic faith and public morals;
- other goods whose import is prohibited by UAE customs law.
This service provides information for reference purposes only, is not a customs authority, and does not guarantee its completeness or accuracy. Responsibility for complying with customs rules and for the contents of the goods being moved lies with the person importing or exporting them. Before moving goods, check the current requirements in official sources.
Sources:
UAE Government Portal — customs clearance
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