Vape / E-Cigarette 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Banned until 2019; now technically permitted for adults but heavily restricted at borders.
Can I bring Vape / E-Cigarette into United Arab Emirates?
Banned until 2019; now technically permitted for adults but heavily restricted at borders.
Personal importation not permitted
100% excise tax applies to locally purchased vapes
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
The UAE lifted its blanket ban on e-cigarettes in 2019 but maintains extremely strict controls. Vapes may only be sold through licensed retailers to adults aged 18+. Personal importation of vaping devices and e-liquids remains prohibited — travellers cannot bring vapes through UAE customs. Products must meet Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA) standards. E-liquids with more than 20mg/ml nicotine are banned. Flavoured vapes targeting minors are prohibited. In practice, bringing your own vape into the UAE through customs is not permitted.
Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.
At the airport
- Personal importation of vaping devices requires ESMA certification. If your device is not ESMA-certified, do not bring it into the UAE. Approach the Red Channel at DXB or AUH if you are unsure.
- Declare any vaping device at the customs counter. Non-ESMA devices will be confiscated. There is currently no personal-import pathway for uncertified devices.
- If your device is ESMA-certified and you are 18+, you may proceed through the Green Channel. Carry proof of age and product certification if available.
Permitted in transit. Transit passengers who do not clear UAE immigration and remain airside (sterile transit) are not subject to UAE importation rules. Device must remain in checked baggage or carry-on and the passenger must not pass through immigration. If you break transit and enter the UAE, standard UAE restrictions apply.
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.
Do not bring vaping devices into the UAE. Purchase locally if needed and ensure the product is ESMA-certified.
Personal importation not permitted
100% excise tax applies to locally purchased vapes
UAE Federal Law No. 15 of 2009; Cabinet Decision No. 10 of 2019
This page covers destination customs rules in United Arab Emirates. Whether you can carry vape / e-cigarette through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Related rules
Vape / E-Cigarette rules in other countries
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🇹🇭 Thailand
Completely banned. Possession carries criminal penalties.
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🇸🇬 Singapore
Banned. Importation and possession are criminal offences.
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🇦🇺 Australia
Nicotine vapes require a prescription. Recreational vapes heavily restricted.
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🇲🇾 Malaysia
Vapes legal but nicotine liquid unregulated
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🇮🇳 India
Complete ban on e-cigarettes
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🇧🇷 Brazil
Sale and import banned by ANVISA