Country Guide

United Arab Emirates customs import limits

Official duty-free allowances for alcohol, tobacco, cash, medicines, and other goods when entering United Arab Emirates. See what you can bring before you fly.

Cash declaration threshold

This is one of the most important declaration rules travelers check before entering United Arab Emirates.

Category Cash
All travelers Declaration rules
Cash and monetary instruments Declaration from AED 60,000
Declaration required
Cash, monetary instruments, and equivalent value checks can apply above the threshold shown for AED.

More United Arab Emirates customs limits

Exact thresholds for all categories are available in the app. Download CustomsLimit to check your full trip before you fly.

Spirits (over 22% alcohol) ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Spirits & liqueurs (up to 22%) ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Still wine ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Beer ••• liters
Duty-free limit
Tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipe) ••• pieces / grams
Duty-free limit
Medicines (uncontrolled / OTC) Personal use only — conditions apply
Restricted
Controlled substances / narcotics Authorization required
Restricted
Meat, dairy & animal products See app for conditions
Restricted / Prohibited
General food items ••• kg limit
Duty-free limit
Live plants & plant products Phytosanitary cert. may apply
Restricted
Cultural artifacts & antiques Authorization may be required
Restricted

Exact limits, declaration thresholds, age restrictions, and combined rules for all categories are available free in the CustomsLimit app for United Arab Emirates and 59 other countries.

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Know before you go

Surprising restriction for United Arab Emirates

CRITICAL: UAE has VERY STRICT, zero-tolerance anti-drugs policy. All airports conduct thorough searches using highly sensitive equipment. Possession of ANY amount of illegal drugs by travelers entering or transiting UAE: Severe punishment including imprisonment (DEATH PENALTY possible). Controlled medications MUST have Ministry of Health approval obtained in advance.

The CustomsLimit app shows the full traveler context for United Arab Emirates before you travel.

About United Arab Emirates customs

United Arab Emirates' customs rules are administered by United Arab Emirates customs authority. Traveler allowances and restrictions can vary based on where you are arriving from, your age, and the type of goods you carry.

Traveler rules can change based on route, age, item type, and whether goods are for personal use. CustomsLimit helps you check the full country guide for United Arab Emirates before travel.

United Arab Emirates customs — frequently asked questions

How much cash can I carry into United Arab Emirates without declaring it?
United Arab Emirates applies the declaration rule shown above for cash and equivalent monetary instruments. Travelers carrying more than the threshold must declare it before continuing through customs.
What is the duty-free alcohol allowance for United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates has country-specific alcohol limits that can change based on the type of alcohol and the traveler route. The page above shows one example, while the CustomsLimit app shows the full alcohol breakdown for United Arab Emirates.
Do I need to declare cash when entering United Arab Emirates?
MANDATORY DECLARATION: AED 60,000+ (or equivalent). Includes: Physical cash, financial instruments, precious metals, valuable stones. Declare via declare.customs.ae or Afseh app. Under-18s: Amount added to parent/guardian limit. Failure: Seizure + penalties. The CustomsLimit app shows the declaration rule in the context of the rest of your trip.

Check all United Arab Emirates limits free in the app

CustomsLimit covers United Arab Emirates and 59 other countries with exact thresholds, combined limits, age restrictions, and declaration rules. Free to download.

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