The UAE has announced updated customs regulations for travellers entering and leaving the country. The new rules aim to ensure smoother travel experiences, better compliance, and enhanced safety across all ports of entry.

Cash declarations.

Travellers carrying more than Dh60,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) in cash, precious metals, or valuable stones must declare them using the official disclosure form. The rule applies to both arrivals and departures, and failure to declare may result in confiscation or legal penalties.

Duty-free limits.

Personal gifts are exempt from customs duties within a total value of Dh3,000, as long as they are non-commercial and in reasonable quantities. Frequent travellers or traders of similar goods are not eligible for this exemption. Tobacco products are also limited to 200 cigarettes or an equivalent amount of pipe tobacco or shisha. Anything beyond these limits will incur customs duties.

Prohibited items.

Some goods are completely banned from being brought into or taken out of the UAE. These include narcotics, gambling devices, nylon fishing nets, raw ivory, counterfeit currency, used or retreaded tyres, radioactive materials, red-beam laser pens, and any printed or visual materials that violate religious values or public morals. Items contaminated by radiation or nuclear dust, as well as paan and betel leaves, are also prohibited.

Restricted goods.

Certain items can be imported or exported only with prior approval from the relevant authorities. These include live animals, plants, fertilizers, pesticides, weapons, ammunition, fireworks, medical drugs, wireless transmitters, alcohol, cosmetics, and raw diamonds.

Approvals and authorities.

Permissions must be obtained from entities such as the Ministries of Defence, Interior, Health and Prevention, Climate Change and Environment, Culture and Youth, Industry and Advanced Technology, as well as the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, TDRA, Dubai Police, and the UAE Kimberley Office.

In short!

If you’re travelling in or out of the UAE, make sure to declare high-value items, stay within duty-free limits, and check if any of your belongings fall under restricted or prohibited categories. A quick check now can save you a lot of hassle later! ✈️