How much Spirits and wine can I bring into United Arab Emirates?
Restricted
You can bring Spirits and wine 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, Post or courier
- Only one of these allowances can be used per trip.
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
- Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025, Second: Baggage Declaration Dubai Customs, Government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Questions about Spirits and wine in United Arab Emirates
- How much spirits and wine can I bring into United Arab Emirates?
- United Arab Emirates allows 4 liters of spirits and wine 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 and wine at United Arab Emirates customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 4 liters of spirits and wine 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 and wine 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 post or ship spirits and wine to United Arab Emirates instead of carrying it?
- Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead.
- Is there a minimum age for the spirits and wine allowance in United Arab Emirates?
- Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for spirits and wine at all, not a smaller one.
- Can I take spirits and wine out of United Arab Emirates?
- United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking spirits and wine out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the United Arab Emirates limit for spirits and wine 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 spirits and wine?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit spirits and wine, 11 limit it and 8 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the ones that set a limit.
Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025, Second: Baggage Declaration · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025, Second: Baggage Declaration · 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, Second: Baggage Declaration · verified 2026-09-19
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) — Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025, Second: Baggage Declaration · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025, Second: Baggage Declaration · verified 2026-09-19