🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates vs 🇮🇳 India
Side-by-side customs reference: duty-free allowance, de minimis, VAT, restricted and prohibited categories, and customs authority.
| 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates | 🇮🇳 India | |
|---|---|---|
| Customs authority | Federal Customs Authority (FCA) | Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) |
| VAT / GST | 5% | 5% / 12% / 18% / 28% IGST |
| De minimis (USD) | USD 272 | n/a |
| Cash declaration (USD) | USD 16000 | USD 5000 |
| Duty-free alcohol (L) | 4 | 2 |
| Duty-free cigarettes | 400 | 100 |
| Duty-free personal goods (USD) | USD 680 | USD 480 |
| Prohibited categories | Narcotics and psychotropic substances (extremely strict enforcement; trace amounts can lead to imprisonment); Pork products in some emirates; Material offensive to Islam; Gambling equipment; Counterfeit goods | Narcotic and psychotropic substances; Pornographic material; Counterfeit currency; Goods from certain sanctioned sources; Maps showing incorrect Indian territorial boundaries |
| Restricted categories | Alcohol (only non-Muslim adults in licensed areas; strict regulations in conservative emirates like Sharjah where it is banned); Pork products (available at licensed outlets but restricted in general market); Prescription and controlled medications (Ministry of Health permit required; quantities limited); Firearms and weapons (Ministry of Interior permit required); Gambling devices | Wildlife and endangered species (Wildlife Protection Act permits); Firearms and ammunition (Arms Act licence required); Medicines and drugs (CDSCO licence required for commercial imports); Food items (FSSAI import licence required); Certain agricultural products (Plant Quarantine Order compliance) |
| Known scams | Fake Dubai Customs 'duty owed' SMS / WhatsApp messages. Dubai Customs directs all payment to the e-Declaration portal; no payment by SMS link. | Fake Indian e-Visa sites inflating the official USD 10-80 fee. Apply only via indianvisaonline.gov.in. |
Detailed pages: United Arab Emirates • India
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