Do I have to declare food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement out of United Arab Emirates?

United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the United Arab Emirates limit for food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 Restricted and Prohibited Goods. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “The import and export of the following goods is restricted and requires prior approval from the designated authority.”

How does United Arab Emirates compare with other countries on food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement, 15 limit it and 4 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement can I bring into United Arab Emirates?

Restricted

You can bring Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement into United Arab Emirates only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

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

Restricted and Prohibited Goods Abu Dhabi Customs

Questions about Food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement in United Arab Emirates

Do I have to declare food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement out of United Arab Emirates?: United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Arab Emirates limit for food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement 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 Restricted and Prohibited Goods. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “The import and export of the following goods is restricted and requires prior approval from the designated authority.”
How does United Arab Emirates compare with other countries on food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 1 prohibit food, medicine, cosmetics and food supplement, 15 limit it and 4 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the ones that set a limit.

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