CarryRules

How much Goods banned by law can I bring into United Arab Emirates?

Prohibited

You cannot bring Goods banned by law into United Arab Emirates.

Carried Not allowed
Declaration Required — surrender
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

Questions about Goods banned by law in United Arab Emirates

How many goods banned by law can I bring into United Arab Emirates?
goods banned by law may not be brought into United Arab Emirates at all. 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) — Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025, Second: Baggage Declaration · verified 2026-09-19

Do I have to declare goods banned by law at United Arab Emirates customs?
There is nothing to declare — goods banned by law cannot be brought in at all. Declaring it does not make it admissible; it hands it over.

Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025, Second: Baggage Declaration · verified 2026-09-19

What happens if I do not declare goods banned by law 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.

Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Customs Policies 2005-2020 · verified 2026-09-20

Can I take goods banned by law out of United Arab Emirates?
United Arab Emirates publishes no separate rule for taking goods banned by law out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the United Arab Emirates limit for goods banned by law 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) — Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025, Second: Baggage Declaration · verified 2026-09-19

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: “Any other goods the importation of which is banned under the UAE laws or the GCC Common Customs Law.”

Source: Federal Customs Authority / ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security) — Passenger Customs Guide, Version No. 6 - 2025, Second: Baggage Declaration · verified 2026-09-19

How does United Arab Emirates compare with other countries on goods banned by law?
Of the 20 countries covered here, 15 prohibit goods banned by law, 5 limit it and 0 let it through. United Arab Emirates is among the strictest.