UAE customs checker
Arriving in the UAE? Tell us what is in your bags and see, item by item, what is fine, what you must declare, what needs approval before you fly, and what is not allowed.
Money and value
Add what your children under 18 carry: it counts towards the parent's or guardian's limit. Convert other currencies to dirhams.
Tobacco and alcohol
A carton is usually 200.
Instead of 4 litres, the allowance can be 2 cartons of beer (24 cans of up to 355 ml each).
Medicines
Anything else? Tap all that apply
Runs on your phone. Nothing is uploaded or saved. A guide only: customs officers decide at the border.
The rules in short
Last checked: 27 Oct 2026
Gifts, perfume and personal goods up to AED 3,000 in total, in non-commercial amounts. For travellers 18 or over: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 500 g of tobacco, and 4 litres of alcohol or 2 cartons of beer. Above that, duty and VAT can apply. Frequent travellers who regularly carry goods and crew members do not get the allowance.
Arriving or leaving with more than AED 60,000 in cash, cheques, precious metals or stones (or the same in other currencies) must be declared. You can do it online before you travel through the official Afseh service of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, or at the customs desk.
Carry the prescription. Narcotic and controlled medicines need a permit from the Ministry of Health and Prevention before you travel, or must be declared on arrival with the prescription and a medical report. The quantity is limited to your need, up to 3 months. The controlled list is published by the Emirates Drug Establishment.
Banned: narcotics, counterfeit goods and money, gambling tools, items for sorcery, obscene material or material against Islamic values, and naswar or betel leaf (paan). Restricted (approval first): animals, plants, weapons and fireworks, drones, wireless devices, media equipment and commercial quantities of goods.
Official pages
- Declare cash and valuables online (Afseh, ICP)
- Customs clearance for travellers (UAE Government portal)
- Permit to bring medicines for personal use (Ministry of Health and Prevention)
- Dubai Customs passenger guide (PDF)
Sources (last checked 27 Oct 2026): UAE Government portal u.ae, "Customs clearance" for tourists (AED 3,000 gift allowance; 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 500 g tobacco; 4 litres of alcohol or 2 cartons of beer; AED 60,000 declaration including amounts held by under-18s; the Afseh app and declare.customs.ae; banned and restricted goods under the GCC Common Customs Law); Dubai Customs passenger guide, 6th edition 2024 (same allowances, travellers 18+, banned list including naswar and betel leaves, restricted list including drones and food in commercial quantities); Ministry of Health and Prevention, "Issue of permit to import medicines for personal use" (narcotic and controlled medicines need approval or a declaration on arrival with prescription and medical report); Gulf News reporting of the MOHAP service (free permit, up to 3 months' need). An older Dubai Customs web page still shows 400 cigarettes: we use 200, the figure in the current guide and on u.ae. E-cigarettes and vapes are listed as restricted goods on u.ae but the personal allowance is not stated: check with the authority. Not legal advice: customs officers decide at the border.