CarryRules

How much Cigars can I bring into United Arab Emirates?

Restricted

You can bring Cigars into United Arab Emirates only within the stated limits.

Cabin baggage
Checked baggage
Declaration Above allowance
Limit 50 piece

What you need to know

  • 50 piece
  • Channels: Carried with the traveler, Post or courier
  • Only one of these allowances can be used per trip.

Important

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

Official sources disagree on this rule and the conflict is not yet resolved.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-18

Questions about Cigars in United Arab Emirates

How many cigars can I bring into United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates allows 50 cigars 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.

Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Dubai Customs — passenger and personal effects duty exemption guidance · verified 2026-09-16

Do I have to declare cigars at United Arab Emirates customs?
Only above the allowance. Up to 50 cigars there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Dubai Customs — passenger and personal effects duty exemption guidance · verified 2026-09-16

What happens if I do not declare cigars in United Arab Emirates?
Under Dubai Customs, Passenger Customs Guide: the normal duty becomes payable on the excess.

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

Can I post or ship cigars 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.

Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Dubai Customs — passenger and personal effects duty exemption guidance · verified 2026-09-16

Is there a minimum age for the cigars allowance in United Arab Emirates?
Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for cigars at all, not a smaller one.

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

Can I take cigars out of United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking cigars out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Arab Emirates limit for cigars apply per person or per family?
Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Dubai Customs — passenger and personal effects duty exemption guidance · verified 2026-09-16

Where does this rule come from?
Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) states it in Dubai Customs — passenger and personal effects duty exemption guidance. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16. The sentence it rests on reads: “Cigars: 50 pieces duty-free allowance per traveller.”

Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Dubai Customs — passenger and personal effects duty exemption guidance · verified 2026-09-16

How does United Arab Emirates compare with other countries on cigars?
Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cigars, 15 limit it and 6 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the ones that set a limit.