How many companion animals can I bring into United Arab Emirates?
- Official classification
- Pets (companion animals)
Restricted
You can bring companion animals into United Arab Emirates only within the stated limits.
What you need to know
- 2 piece
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
- No stated quantity
- Channels: Carried with the traveler
Important
This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.
Official sources
- Import of pets (cats / dogs) - Conditions & Requirements Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), United Arab Emirates
- Import for live animals and birds Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
Questions about Pets (companion animals) in United Arab Emirates
- How many companion animals can I bring into United Arab Emirates?
- United Arab Emirates allows 2 pets (companion animals) 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 companion animals at United Arab Emirates customs?
- Only above the allowance. Up to 2 pets (companion animals) 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 companion animals 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 companion animals out of United Arab Emirates?
- United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking companion animals out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
- Does the United Arab Emirates limit for companion animals 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 Import of pets (cats / dogs) - Conditions & Requirements. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Individuals are allowed to import a maximum of 2 companion animals per person during the year, with the exception of resident companion animals returning back to the country.”
- How does United Arab Emirates compare with other countries on companion animals?
- Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit companion animals, 20 limit it and 0 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) — Import of pets (cats / dogs) - Conditions & Requirements · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Import of pets (cats / dogs) - Conditions & Requirements · 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) — Import of pets (cats / dogs) - Conditions & Requirements · verified 2026-09-19
Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Import of pets (cats / dogs) - Conditions & Requirements · verified 2026-09-19