🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
MIDDLE EAST
Federal Customs Authority (FCA)
5%
Duty-Free Allowances
| Category | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 4L |
| Cigarettes | 400 |
| Personal goods value | US$680 |
| Arriving non-Muslim passengers (18+): 4L alcohol (wine or spirits) or 24 cans of beer (355ml each), 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g tobacco. General goods for personal use: AED 3,000 (~$817 USD) duty-free; gifts under AED 1,000 (approx. $272) are also duty-free. Alcohol cannot be brought into UAE by Muslim passengers. Duty-free shop purchases count against the allowance. | |
Arriving non-Muslim passengers (18+): 4L alcohol (wine or spirits) or 24 cans of beer (355ml each), 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g tobacco. General goods for personal use: AED 3,000 (~$817 USD) duty-free; gifts under AED 1,000 (approx. $272) are also duty-free. Alcohol cannot be brought into UAE by Muslim passengers. Duty-free shop purchases count against the allowance.
Cash Declaration Threshold
US$11,000
Local currency equivalent: AED
Travelers carrying cash, traveler's cheques, or negotiable instruments above this threshold must declare them at customs on arrival.
Special Notes
- 01Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and other emirates have varying rules — Sharjah bans alcohol entirely.
- 02UAE has strict drug laws — even prescription medications found at trace levels in blood can result in prosecution.
- 03The GCC Unified Customs Law governs customs across all GCC countries.
- 04VAT was introduced in 2018 at 5%.
- 05Free zones (Jebel Ali, Dubai Airport Free Zone, etc.) have special import/re-export rules.
- 06CITES permits required for endangered species products.
- 07E-Commerce imports are growing rapidly; Federal Customs Authority oversees compliance.