Alcohol / Spirits 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Non-Muslim adults may import 4 litres of spirits or wine duty-free via most emirates.
Can I bring Alcohol / Spirits into United Arab Emirates?
Non-Muslim adults may import 4 litres of spirits or wine duty-free via most emirates.
4 litres of spirits/wine duty-free for non-Muslim adults 18+
50% customs duty on alcohol above duty-free allowance
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Non-Muslim adults aged 18 and over may bring up to 4 litres of spirits or wine (or 24 x 355ml cans of beer equivalent) into the UAE duty-free on arrival at Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah (limited), and most other UAE airports. Entry into Sharjah Emirate, which is dry, has stricter restrictions. Abu Dhabi airport has a formal duty-free allowance aligned with Dubai. Muslim travellers may not import alcohol — this is checked at customs. Amounts above the duty-free limit attract duty. Alcohol may be consumed by non-Muslims in licensed premises (hotels, certain restaurants, and licensed clubs). Public intoxication is illegal.
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.
Non-Muslims travelling to Dubai or Abu Dhabi can bring the standard 4-litre allowance. Avoid bringing alcohol when transiting to or staying in Sharjah. Do not share your duty-free allowance with Muslim travellers.
4 litres of spirits/wine duty-free for non-Muslim adults 18+
50% customs duty on alcohol above duty-free allowance
UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 17 of 2021 on Public Funds Crimes; Emirates-level alcohol licensing regulations
This page covers destination customs rules in United Arab Emirates. Whether you can carry alcohol / spirits through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Alcohol / Spirits is classified under Class 3 — Flammable liquids. Cabin and checked-baggage rules apply on top of any destination regulation.
Related rules
Alcohol / Spirits rules in other countries
Alcohol / Spirits
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
Completely prohibited. Zero tolerance under Islamic law.
Alcohol / Spirits
🇲🇾 Malaysia
1 liter duty-free allowance
Alcohol / Spirits
🇮🇩 Indonesia
1 liter duty-free; heavily taxed beyond
Alcohol / Spirits
🇰🇷 South Korea
1 liter (under USD 400) duty-free
Alcohol / Spirits
🇫🇷 France
EU standard allowances from non-EU; unlimited within EU
Alcohol / Spirits
🇮🇹 Italy
Standard EU allowances apply