Pocket Knife 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Bladed weapons prohibited under Federal Penal Code
Can I bring Pocket Knife into United Arab Emirates?
Bladed weapons prohibited under Federal Penal Code
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
The UAE prohibits the import and carrying of bladed weapons including pocket knives. Customs confiscates knives at airports. Penalties can include fines and imprisonment. Kitchen knives for household use may be permitted with explanation but pocket knives are treated as weapons. Enforcement in United Arab Emirates carries fines from AED 50,000 to AED 500,000 and imprisonment up to 10 years in aggravated cases under Federal Customs Law No. 1 of 2003; Federal Law No. 14 of 1995 on Narcotics.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 50000–500000 AED
- Imprisonment up to 120 months
- Criminal penalty
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
Leaving United Arab Emirates with pocket knife
A personal pocket knife faces no export formality from United Arab Emirates when packed in checked baggage — blades of any size are prohibited from cabin baggage under aviation security rules worldwide. The practical constraints are destination-side: public-carry laws vary sharply (blade-length limits, locking-blade bans, and "good reason" requirements in countries such as the UK), and some jurisdictions treat certain knife types (automatic, gravity, butterfly) as prohibited weapons at import.
Do not bring any knife. Even utility knives and multi-tools are confiscated at UAE airports. If unsure, declare on arrival — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods found in screening are seized and fined.
This page covers destination customs rules in United Arab Emirates. Whether you can carry pocket knife through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Pocket Knife rules in other countries
Pocket Knife
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Folding blades under 3 inches permitted in public. Locking knives and longer blades restricted.
Pocket Knife
🇦🇺 Australia
Non-locking folding knives generally permitted
Pocket Knife
🇯🇵 Japan
Blades over 6cm prohibited under Firearms and Swords Control Law
Pocket Knife
🇸🇬 Singapore
Offensive weapons prohibited under Arms & Explosives Act
Pocket Knife
🇺🇸 United States
Legal to bring; TSA prohibits in carry-on
Pocket Knife
🇨🇦 Canada
Pocket Knife import prohibited