Cash / Currency 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Must declare cash of AED 60,000 or more (approx. USD 16,300) on arrival.
Can I bring Cash / Currency into United Arab Emirates?
Must declare cash of AED 60,000 or more (approx. USD 16,300) on arrival.
No limit; declaration required for AED 60,000+
- UAE Customs Cash Declaration form for AED 60,000+
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
The UAE requires all travellers to declare cash, bearer negotiable instruments, and gold bullion with a total value of AED 60,000 or more when entering or leaving the country. Declaration is made through the UAE customs authority portal or at customs counters. The UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) monitors large cash movements as part of AML controls. Undeclared funds above the threshold may be seized pending investigation. For sums between AED 60,000–100,000 the penalty is a fine; above AED 100,000 it can result in criminal proceedings.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 500–50000 AED
- Civil penalty only
At the airport
- If carrying AED 60,000 (approximately USD 16,300) or more in cash or equivalent monetary instruments, you must complete a UAE customs declaration form at DXB or AUH.
- Approach the Red Channel and present the completed declaration to the customs officer. Be prepared to show the physical cash.
- If you fail to declare, the full amount may be seized pending investigation under UAE anti-money-laundering law. Cooperate fully and retain your declaration receipt.
Permitted in transit. UAE Central Bank and Dubai Customs rules on cash reporting (AED 60,000 / ~USD 16,000) apply to persons entering the UAE. Airside transit passengers who do not clear immigration are not required to make a UAE cash declaration. Passengers continuing to a final destination outside the UAE keep their cash declarations for that country.
Leaving United Arab Emirates with cash / currency
Travellers departing from United Arab Emirates carrying cash, banker's cheques, bearer bonds, or other bearer-form negotiable instruments totalling AED 60,000 (approx. USD 16,300) or more must complete the Afseh electronic declaration (declare.customs.ae or the ICP app) at customs before boarding. This threshold aggregates all currencies at exchange-rate parity. Failure to declare is grounds for seizure of the entire cash amount under Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 (anti-money-laundering); Cabinet Decision 10/2019 plus criminal prosecution for aggravated cases. Source-of-funds documentation may be requested. Legitimate declared movements are not restricted; the requirement is transparency-based to combat money laundering and tax evasion.
Values at or above this threshold must be declared (AED).
Declare cash at the customs counter before exiting the airport. Retain bank or exchange receipts showing the legitimate source of funds.
No limit; declaration required for AED 60,000+
- UAE Customs Cash Declaration form for AED 60,000+
Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering; UAE Customs Implementing Regulations
This page covers destination customs rules in United Arab Emirates. Whether you can carry cash / currency through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
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Cash / Currency rules in other countries
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🇺🇸 United States
Must declare cash or monetary instruments over USD 10,000 on arrival and departure.
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🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Must declare cash of GBP 10,000 or more when entering or leaving Great Britain.
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🇩🇪 Germany
EU rule: declare EUR 10,000 or more when entering or leaving the EU.
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🇵🇭 Philippines
PHP 50,000 limit; foreign currency over USD 10,000 must be declared
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🇻🇳 Vietnam
VND 15 million limit; USD 5,000 foreign currency
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🇫🇷 France
EUR 10,000 declaration required (EU rule)