How much Beer or ale can I bring into United Arab Emirates?
Restricted
You can bring Beer or ale into United Arab Emirates only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- 4 liter (135.26 US fl oz)
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
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
- Permitted Luggage & Items — Dubai Customs Dubai Customs
Questions about Beer or ale in United Arab Emirates
- How much beer or ale can I bring into United Arab Emirates?
- United Arab Emirates allows 4 liters of beer or ale 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 beer or ale at United Arab Emirates customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 4 liters of beer or ale 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 beer or ale 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 beer or ale allowance in United Arab Emirates?
- Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for beer or ale at all, not a smaller one.
- Can I take beer or ale out of United Arab Emirates?
- United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking beer or ale out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the United Arab Emirates limit for beer or ale 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 Permitted Luggage & Items — Dubai Customs. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “The amount of alcoholic beverages and beers should not exceed 4 liters of alcohol beverages, or 2 cartons of beer (each consisting of 24 cans, not exceeding 355 ml for each can or its equivalent).”
- How does United Arab Emirates compare with other countries on beer or ale?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit beer or ale, 8 limit it and 11 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the more permissive.
Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Permitted Luggage & Items — Dubai Customs · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Permitted Luggage & Items — Dubai Customs · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Customs Policies 2005-2020 · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025 · verified 2026-09-20
Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Permitted Luggage & Items — Dubai Customs · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Permitted Luggage & Items — Dubai Customs · verified 2026-09-19