United Arab Emiratesالإمارات العربية المتحدة

Travellers arriving in United Arab Emirates may bring 4 L of alcohol duty-free. Anything above the allowance must be declared at the red channel. Arriving non-Muslim passengers (18+): 4L alcohol (wine or spirits) or 24 cans of beer (355ml each), 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g tobacco. General goods for personal use: AED 3,000 (~$817 USD) duty-free; gifts under AED 1,000 (approx. $272) are also duty-free. Alcohol cannot be brought into UAE by Muslim passengers. Duty-free shop purchases count against the allowance.

400 cigarettes per traveller (or proportionally less in cigars / tobacco). Above-limit tobacco must be declared.

Yes. Cash and equivalent bearer instruments above USD 16000 (AED) must be declared on arrival.

AED 1,000 (~USD 272). Gifts and personal goods shipped to the UAE with a customs value at or below AED 1,000 may be exempt from customs duty (5%). VAT (5%) applies to imports generally — registered businesses account for import VAT on their VAT returns. Non-registered individuals pay VAT at point of importation.

VAT 5% (introduced January 2018). Applied to imports at customs entry. Free zone imports may be VAT-suspended pending re-export or local sale. Personal-import de minimis AED 1,000.

Prescription medicines for personal use are generally allowed in reasonable quantities (typically 30-90 days' supply), accompanied by the original prescription and ideally a doctor's letter. Some controlled substances need import authorisation. Verify with Federal Customs Authority (FCA) for your specific medicine.

Gifts are accepted by post but are still subject to United Arab Emirates's import rules. Tax-relief gift thresholds (where they exist) are typically much lower than commercial thresholds. Declare honestly on the CN22/CN23 — undervaluation is treated as fraud.

A customs declaration filed with Federal Customs Authority (FCA), a commercial invoice, packing list, and transport document (AWB or B/L). Add a Certificate of Origin to claim FTA preferential duty. Sector-specific imports (food, plants, animals, medicines, electronics, dangerous goods) need additional permits.

The green channel is for travellers with nothing to declare. The red channel is for travellers carrying anything above allowances or any restricted goods. Spot checks happen at both. Lying or hiding goods can lead to seizure plus penalties.

Narcotics and psychotropic substances (extremely strict enforcement; trace amounts can lead to imprisonment); Pork products in some emirates; Material offensive to Islam. See the full prohibited list on this page.

Alcohol (only non-Muslim adults in licensed areas; strict regulations in conservative emirates like Sharjah where it is banned); Pork products (available at licensed outlets but restricted in general market); Prescription and controlled medications (Ministry of Health permit required; quantities limited). Restricted items typically need a permit, certificate, or declaration. See the full restricted list on this page.

Use the red channel at the airport. Most ports of entry into United Arab Emirates accept either a paper declaration or, increasingly, an electronic declaration via an app or kiosk. Be ready to show receipts, prescriptions, or permits.

Most countries restrict animal-origin food (meat, dairy) for biosecurity reasons; sealed commercial packaged food is sometimes permitted. Verify with Federal Customs Authority (FCA)'s agricultural / biosecurity authority before bringing food.

Vape rules are changing fast worldwide; United Arab Emirates may have specific restrictions, age limits, or outright bans. Verify on the current Federal Customs Authority (FCA) guidance before travel — bans have grown markedly since 2023.

Many countries require advance import authorisation for opioids, stimulants, and certain psychiatric medicines. Carry the original prescription, doctor's letter, and original packaging. For controlled substances, contact United Arab Emirates's health authority before travel.

Yes. Duty-free purchases at the destination airport on arrival count toward your alcohol and tobacco allowance, even though they were purchased after immigration. Buying duty-free at departure rather than arrival does not bypass the allowance.

Above the de minimis, customs assesses duty and VAT/GST on the goods value (plus, in some regimes, freight + insurance). The carrier or postal operator usually clears it and bills the recipient. Recipients can refuse delivery if they don't want to pay.

Yes. If you don't want to pay duties or taxes, you can refuse the parcel and the carrier will return it to sender or destroy it. This does not affect your tax record but means the goods don't enter United Arab Emirates.

Standard clearance for compliant parcels is typically same-day to a few days. Holds for incomplete declarations, biosecurity inspection, sanctions screening, or anti-counterfeit checks can take longer. Provide complete declarations to avoid delays.

Your carrier (DHL, FedEx, UPS, postal operator) is the first contact — they handle clearance on your behalf. If you need to deal directly with the authority, contact Federal Customs Authority (FCA) via the contact route on their official site.

Watch for: fake "customs fees" demands by SMS or email; impostor officials at airports; unsolicited phone calls about a "stuck parcel"; payment requests by gift card. Real customs authorities do not ask for payment via SMS link or gift cards. See our scams page for documented patterns.