Body Armour → United Arab Emirates

Body Armour prohibited; penalties for import

Details

Body Armour prohibited; penalties for import. Enforcement in United Arab Emirates carries fines from AED 50,000 to AED 500,000 and imprisonment up to 10 years in aggravated cases under Federal Customs Law No. 1 of 2003; Federal Law No. 14 of 1995 on Narcotics. Because body armour is prohibited rather than restricted, there is no permit route for an ordinary traveller — attempted import is treated as smuggling regardless of intent. Arrival checks are carried out by Federal Customs Authority (FCA); when in doubt use the declare (red) channel — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods attract penalties. Leaving United Arab Emirates with body armour is a separate question: restricted — Body armour is a dual-use controlled good; export from United Arab Emirates above civilian protection levels requires authorisation.

Leaving with this item

Body armour is a dual-use controlled good; export from United Arab Emirates above civilian protection levels requires authorisation.

Practical advice

Do not carry civilian body armour, ballistic vests, or stab vests into United Arab Emirates. Dubai/Abu Dhabi Customs requires an end-user permit issued only to law-enforcement / military / accredited security professionals; tourist carriage is treated as a weapons-import offence.

Customs authority

Federal Customs Authority (FCA) · https://www.fca.gov.ae