Do I have to declare spare (loose) lithium batteries at United Arab Emirates customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 20 spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries out of United Arab Emirates?

United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking spare (loose) lithium batteries out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Can I carry spare (loose) lithium batteries in the cabin or in checked baggage?

In the cabin: Allowed with conditions. In checked baggage: Prohibited. The carriage limit is 100.0000 Wh / 2.0000 g lithium. This comes from International baseline, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.

Does the United Arab Emirates limit for spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 Prohibited Items List. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Each person is limited to a maximum of 20 spare batteries”

How does United Arab Emirates compare with other countries on spare (loose) lithium batteries?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit spare (loose) lithium batteries, 13 limit it and 7 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Spare (loose) lithium batteries can I bring into United Arab Emirates?

Restricted

You can bring Spare (loose) lithium batteries into United Arab Emirates only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage Allowed with conditions Source: International baseline

Checked baggage Prohibited Source: International baseline

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 20 piece

What you need to know

20 piece
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

International baseline

On person Not stated

Cabin baggage Allowed with conditions

Checked baggage Prohibited

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
American Airlines	More permissive
All Nippon Airways	Stricter than the standard rule
British Airways	Stricter than the standard rule
Delta Air Lines	Stricter than the standard rule
easyJet	More permissive
Japan Airlines	More permissive
Korean Air	Stricter than the standard rule
Ryanair	Stricter than the standard rule
Turkish Airlines	Stricter than the standard rule

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Prohibited Items List General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)

Questions about Spare (loose) lithium batteries in United Arab Emirates

How many spare (loose) lithium batteries can I bring into United Arab Emirates?: United Arab Emirates allows 20 spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries at United Arab Emirates customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 20 spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 spare (loose) lithium batteries out of United Arab Emirates?: United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking spare (loose) lithium batteries out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Can I carry spare (loose) lithium batteries in the cabin or in checked baggage?: In the cabin: Allowed with conditions. In checked baggage: Prohibited. The carriage limit is 100.0000 Wh / 2.0000 g lithium. This comes from International baseline, and an individual airline may be stricter. Customs and aviation are separate rulebooks: what an airline lets you carry is not what a border lets you bring in.
Does the United Arab Emirates limit for spare (loose) lithium batteries 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 Prohibited Items List. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Each person is limited to a maximum of 20 spare batteries”
How does United Arab Emirates compare with other countries on spare (loose) lithium batteries?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit spare (loose) lithium batteries, 13 limit it and 7 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the ones that set a limit.

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