How much Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances can I bring into United Arab Emirates?
Restricted
You can bring Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances into United Arab Emirates only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- No stated quantity
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- Drugs and controlled medicines The Official Portal of the UAE Government (u.ae)
Questions about Medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances in United Arab Emirates
- Do I have to declare medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances at United Arab Emirates customs?
- Yes — it has to be declared to United Arab Emirates customs on arrival.
- What happens if I do not declare medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances 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 medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances out of United Arab Emirates?
- United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the United Arab Emirates limit for medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances 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 Drugs and controlled medicines. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “However, narcotic, psychotropic and other controlled drugs/medicines of class A or B are neither freely available in the UAE, nor can they be freely imported into the country.”
- How does United Arab Emirates compare with other countries on medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances, 18 limit it and 2 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) — Drugs and controlled medicines · 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) — Drugs and controlled medicines · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Drugs and controlled medicines · verified 2026-09-19