Khat → United Arab Emirates

Khat prohibited; penalties for import

Details

Khat is legal and widely consumed in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti, and Yemen but is a controlled substance in many Western countries. The UK classified khat as a Class C drug in 2014. The US lists cathinone as Schedule I, making khat illegal. Germany, the Netherlands, and most EU member states

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