Are customs strict in Dubai? What can you bring to Dubai? How much cash can I take with me?
What is and is not allowed when you go on holiday to Dubai?
Get an answer to all Dubai customs questions.
What is and is not allowed when you go on holiday to Dubai. Let’s start with things that are definitely not allowed, such as drugs (including soft drugs). Some form of drugs is severely punished in the United Arab Emirates, even though the amount is zero!
There are even medicines that contain certain substances such as codeine that are not permitted without a declaration!
We go deeper into each topic on the page.
There is a total zero tolerance for controlled or recreational soft or hard drugs in Dubai! A miniscule amount of Weed is enough to get a minimum 2-year prison sentence!
When your drugs are offered in Dubai, refuse this at all times! This is really not done in Dubai.
An example: A British man was sentenced to 2 years in jail for suspected possession of cannabis. However, he had nothing in his possession, but tested positive for cannabis. The man was still in a rush just before the flight, making him look suspicious.
The result was an effective prison sentence of 2 years.
You can import cigarettes, cigars and alcohol if:
All information about the use of cigarettes and alcohol can be found on the page laws and rules.
Tourists must be careful with medicines that they bring from their own country! Some medications may contain substances that are banned in the Dubai, leading to the arrest of those who transport them!
In this way you may not bring more medicines than necessary for the time of your planned stay.
Some medicines contain substances that are prohibited in Dubai, such as codeine that is in certain medicines that are perfectly legal with us, but you can take a limited amount of them with you.
If you would like to take such medicines, it is advisable to surf to the website of the Ministry of Health and Prevention. If you cannot find a solution, contact the embassy of your home country.
When you travel to Dubai and you have a large sum of cash with you, you have to have it cleared through customs. With a large sum we speak of an equivalent amount to 100,000 AED, converted to approximately USD 27,000, GBP 21,000.
If you are from an EU country you are required to state this from € 10,000. This comes to around 40,000 AED.
To convert your own currency to AED or vice versa you can go to https://www.xe.com
Taking your dog or cat to Dubai is possible unless you have a permit from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. You must also be in possession of a health certificate, passport and the details of your pet’s microchip.
Some pets must be tested for rabies before they can enter the United Arab Emirates. More info on the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment website.
If your questions with this page are not answered, you can contact customs directly.
Email: client.relations@dubaicustoms.ae
Telephone: +9714 417 7777
Fax: +9714 417 6316
Address: Client Relationship Section, Client Management Department, Dubai Customs, PO Box 63 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm