United Arab Emirates (Dubai) Customs Summary: What You Must Declare (2026)
Before packing your bags and flying to United Arab Emirates (Dubai), it is essential to know the exact duty-free quotas and import bans enforced by the local customs authority (Dubai Customs & Federal Authority for Identity and Customs (dubaicustoms.gov.ae)).
Exceeding tobacco, alcohol, perfume, electronics, or foreign currency thresholds without declaring them at the red channel exposes you to immediate confiscation and heavy fines. Here are the verified 2026 regulations.
400 cigarettes (or 50 cigars, or 500g of tobacco)
4 liters of alcoholic beverages OR 2 cartons of beer (24 cans of 355 ml max) for non-Muslim adults 18+
Mandatory declaration when entering or leaving with more than 60,000 AED (~€15,000) in cash or financial instruments (via the official Afseh app).
Strict control: check the official MOHAP list before departure. For controlled painkillers or sleeping pills, apply for free online MOHAP pre-approval with your doctor's prescription.
1. Duty-Free Quotas for Tobacco, Alcohol & Perfume (United Arab Emirates (Dubai))
Purchases made in airport Duty-Free shops remain subject to the arrival country's import limits:
- Tobacco Allowance: 400 cigarettes (or 50 cigars, or 500g of tobacco)
- Alcohol Allowance: 4 liters of alcoholic beverages OR 2 cartons of beer (24 cans of 355 ml max) for non-Muslim adults 18+
- Perfume & Gifts: Personal gifts and perfumes up to an overall value of 3,000 AED (~€750) — Personal gifts without commercial character up to 3,000 AED (~€750) duty-free.
2. Cash Declaration, Foreign Currency & Exchange Controls
Mandatory declaration when entering or leaving with more than 60,000 AED (~€15,000) in cash or financial instruments (via the official Afseh app).
If you carry cash above the legal threshold, stop at the customs declaration counter in the arrival hall before exiting to obtain a stamped official receipt.
3. Strictly Prohibited Items: Drones, Vapes, Optics & Antiquities
Here is the official list of prohibited or strictly restricted goods when entering or leaving United Arab Emirates (Dubai):
Airport X-ray scanners at arrivals immediately detect LiPo batteries and drones in both checked and cabin bags: never bring prohibited equipment without a prior permit.
4. Personal Medication & Airline Baggage Rules (Cabin vs Checked)
Strict control: check the official MOHAP list before departure. For controlled painkillers or sleeping pills, apply for free online MOHAP pre-approval with your doctor's prescription.
Always pack lithium-ion powerbanks, laptops, cameras, and e-cigarettes in your carry-on cabin baggage.