Khat → United Arab Emirates

Khat prohibited; penalties for import

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.

Leaving with this item

Khat is a controlled substance in United Arab Emirates — cathinone scheduling means there is no lawful personal export.

Practical advice

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.

Customs authority

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