Khat 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Khat prohibited; penalties for import
Can I bring Khat into United Arab Emirates?
Khat prohibited; penalties for import
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
Khat 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 khat 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 khat is a separate question: prohibited — Khat is a controlled substance in United Arab Emirates — cathinone scheduling means there is no lawful personal export.
PENALTIES
- Fine: 50000–500000 AED
- Imprisonment up to 120 months
- Criminal penalty
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
Leaving United Arab Emirates with khat
Khat (Catha edulis) contains cathinone and cathine, which are scheduled substances in United Arab Emirates under Federal Decree-Law No. 30 of 2021 on narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances — fresh khat is treated as a controlled drug, so possession and export are offences. Khat found at departure screening is seized and the carrier prosecuted under the same framework as at arrival. The plant is a licit commodity only in a small number of producing countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Yemen); everywhere in this site's coverage of this route, carrying it across the border is unlawful.
Do not carry khat (Catha edulis), fresh or dried, into United Arab Emirates. Dubai/Abu Dhabi Customs treats it as a controlled drug; carriage triggers seizure plus possible criminal charge under the local misuse-of-drugs statute. There is no permit pathway for personal use.
This page covers destination customs rules in United Arab Emirates. Whether you can carry khat through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Khat rules in other countries
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🇺🇸 United States
Khat prohibited; penalties for import
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🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Khat prohibited; penalties for import
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🇦🇺 Australia
Khat prohibited; penalties for import
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🇯🇵 Japan
Khat prohibited; penalties for import
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🇸🇬 Singapore
Khat prohibited; penalties for import
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🇩🇪 Germany
Khat prohibited; penalties for import