Do I have to declare spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) at United Arab Emirates customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 4 liters of spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) 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 spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) 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.

Can I take spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) out of United Arab Emirates?

United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United Arab Emirates limit for spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) 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 spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer)?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer), 10 limit it and 9 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) can I bring into United Arab Emirates?

Restricted

You can bring Spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) into United Arab Emirates only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 4 liter

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

Last verified 2026-09-19

Permitted Luggage & Items — Dubai Customs Dubai Customs

Questions about Spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) in United Arab Emirates

How much spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) can I bring into United Arab Emirates?: United Arab Emirates allows 4 liters of spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) 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 spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) at United Arab Emirates customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 4 liters of spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) 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 spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) 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 spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) allowance in United Arab Emirates?: Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) out of United Arab Emirates?: United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Arab Emirates limit for spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer) 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 spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer)?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit spirits (alcoholic beverages other than wine or beer), 10 limit it and 9 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the ones that set a limit.

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