Do I have to declare Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV at United Arab Emirates customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 4 liters of Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV in United Arab Emirates?

Under Dubai Customs Policy, 'Declaration and Inspection of Items or, if you declare the excess yourself: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Dubai Customs Policy, Article: the goods are held until you leave the country. Under Dubai Customs Policy, Article: the goods are confiscated.

Is there a minimum age for the Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV allowance in United Arab Emirates?

Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV at all, not a smaller one.

Can I take Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV out of United Arab Emirates?

United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United Arab Emirates limit for Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) states it in Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025, Second: Baggage Declaration. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Alcoholic beverages not exceeding 4 litres or 2 cartons of beer, each consisting of 24 cans not exceeding 355 ml for each can and the excess quantity will be confiscated.”

How does United Arab Emirates compare with other countries on Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV, 9 limit it and 10 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the more permissive.

How much Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV can I bring into United Arab Emirates?

Restricted

You can bring Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV into United Arab Emirates only within the stated limits.

Extra conditions apply

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 4 liter

What you need to know

4 liter (135.26 US fl oz)
Channels: Carried with the traveler
Extra conditions apply

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA)	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025, Second: Baggage Declaration Dubai Customs, Government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Questions about Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV in United Arab Emirates

How much Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV can I bring into United Arab Emirates?: United Arab Emirates allows 4 liters of Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV at United Arab Emirates customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 4 liters of Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV in United Arab Emirates?: Under Dubai Customs Policy, 'Declaration and Inspection of Items or, if you declare the excess yourself: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Dubai Customs Policy, Article: the goods are held until you leave the country. Under Dubai Customs Policy, Article: the goods are confiscated.
Is there a minimum age for the Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV allowance in United Arab Emirates?: Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV out of United Arab Emirates?: United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Arab Emirates limit for Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) states it in Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025, Second: Baggage Declaration. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Alcoholic beverages not exceeding 4 litres or 2 cartons of beer, each consisting of 24 cans not exceeding 355 ml for each can and the excess quantity will be confiscated.”
How does United Arab Emirates compare with other countries on Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit Alcoholic beverages above 22% ABV, 9 limit it and 10 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the more permissive.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia Canada China France

Other items in this group

Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages up to and including 22% vol Alcoholic beverages (all types) Alcoholic beverages (combined volume and value cap) Alcoholic beverages (standard 760 ml bottle) Alcoholic beverages above 12% ABV