Do I have to declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out of United Arab Emirates?

United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United Arab Emirates limit for goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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: “Customs duty will be levied on quantities and values in excess of the limits provided above, and VAT may also be applicable.”

How does United Arab Emirates compare with other countries on goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty, 7 limit it and 13 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the more permissive.

How much Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty can I bring into United Arab Emirates?

Declare

You can bring Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty into United Arab Emirates, but you must declare it.

Carried Allowed, declare

Declaration Required

Limit No stated quantity

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

Last verified 2026-09-19

Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025, Second: Baggage Declaration Dubai Customs, Government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Questions about Goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty in United Arab Emirates

Do I have to declare goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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 goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out of United Arab Emirates?: United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Arab Emirates limit for goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty 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: “Customs duty will be levied on quantities and values in excess of the limits provided above, and VAT may also be applicable.”
How does United Arab Emirates compare with other countries on goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit goods eligible for the $1,000 flat rate of duty, 7 limit it and 13 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the more permissive.

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Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Audio and video recorder/player Driver and crew border-shop bundle GPS device Game console Gifts and personal goods