Passengers departing from or arriving in the UAE and carrying cash, or financial instruments exceeding AED 60,000 or an equivalent amount in other currencies, are required to declare it to the customs authorities. You may not bring certain items into the UAE; restrictions apply on other items.
Passengers travelling out of or entering the UAE with more than AED 60,000 in cash or an amount equivalent to this in other currencies, financial instruments, precious metals or valuable stones, must declare it to Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security (ICP).
You can declare the money through the official website or the Afseh app available on Google Play and App Store.
For passengers under the age of 18, the amount in their possession will be added to the permitted limit of their parent/guardian or accompanier.
Related eServices:
Cash disclosure-TAMM
As per ICP, travellers may bring in the following items without being required to pay any taxes or duties:
Personal belongings of passengers are permitted entry and shall be exempted from customs fees if the passenger meets the following conditions:
As per Passenger Custom Guide (PDF, 759 KB) issued by Government of Dubai, the following permitted items are exempted from customs duties and will be allowed entry:
Customs duty will be levied on quantities and values in excess of the limits provided above, in addition to VAT.
The rate of customs duty is 5 per cent of the value of goods plus Cost Freight Insurance. It is 50 per cent on alcohol and 100 per cent on cigarettes. Refer to:
The UAE Government bans the entry of certain goods and restricts some others. Banned/prohibited goods are those whose import and export is banned under the Common Customs Law of the GCC States (PDF, 567 KB), or any other law or regulation applicable in the UAE.
Restricted goods are goods whose import and export is restricted under the same law above and applicable regulations, and they need prior approval from the authorities concerned prior to import or export.
Banned items include, but are not limited to:
Restricted items
The following list outlines restricted goods along with their respective controlling authorities:
|
Item |
Controlling authority |
|
Live animals, plants, fertilizers, and pesticides |
Ministry of Climate Change and Environment |
|
Weapons, ammunition, explosives and fireworks |
Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Ministry of Interior |
|
Medicines, drugs, and medical equipment, devices and tools |
Ministry of Health and Prevention |
|
Media publications and products |
Ministry of Culture and Youth |
|
Nuclear energy products |
Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation |
|
Transmission and wireless devices |
Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority |
|
Alcoholic drinks |
Ministry of Interior/ Dubai Police |
|
Cosmetics and personal care products eCigarettes and electronic hookah |
Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology |
|
New vehicle tyres |
|
Find more information on banned and restricted commodities:
ICP is the federal entity responsible for customs procedures, inspection, control, tariffs and customs data. It is also responsible for combating customs smuggling and fraud on all incoming, outgoing and transit shipments and goods through the UAE’s ports.
Local customs authorities
General Administration of Customs, Abu Dhabi
Dubai Customs
Department of Seaports and Customs, Sharjah
Department of Ports and Customs, Ajman
Customs Department, Ras Al Khaimah
Fujairah Customs Department
Location of Customs offices
Customs offices are located at the UAE’s airports, seaports and entry/exit points on the land borders. Refer to the list of Customs offices in the UAE (PDF, 100 KB).
Refer to
Related links
Discover electronic services designed for customs clearance, catering to the needs of both individuals and businesses.
Watch the UAE travellers' video guide.
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