Lifestyle Trend: What items must be declared when entering or leaving the UAE? Know more You Should Know

Abu Dhabi: The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security has issued comprehensive travel regulations for passengers entering or leaving the UAE, aimed at enhancing safety, compliance, and smooth customs procedures, 24.ae reported.

The guidelines emphasise the importance of declaring cash, valuables, and restricted items to avoid penalties and ensure security at the country’s ports of entry.

Under the Unified Customs Law of the GCC, travellers carrying more than Dh60,000 (or equivalent in other currencies) in cash, bearer negotiable instruments, precious metals, or valuable stones must declare these items using the official disclosure form. The rule applies to both arrivals and departures, and failure to declare such amounts may result in confiscation or legal action.

For personal belongings and gifts, customs law allows exemptions within set limits. The total value of gifts must not exceed Dh3,000, and items should be personal, non-commercial, and in reasonable quantities. Frequent travellers or those trading similar goods are not eligible for this exemption.

Tobacco products are limited to 200 cigarettes or an equivalent quantity of pipe tobacco or shisha. Any excess will be subject to customs duties.

Prohibited items include those that cannot be brought into or taken out of the UAE under any circumstances, such as narcotics, gambling devices, nylon fishing nets, raw ivory, counterfeit currency, used or retreaded tyres, radioactive materials, red-beam laser pens, and printed or visual content that violates religious or public moral values. Materials contaminated by radiation or nuclear dust, as well as paan, betel leaves, and other banned items under UAE law or international agreements, are also prohibited.

Certain restricted items may only be allowed with prior approval from the relevant authorities. These include live animals, plants, fertilisers, pesticides, weapons, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, medical drugs and devices, nuclear-related materials, wireless transmitters, alcohol, cosmetics, and raw diamonds.

Approvals must be obtained from concerned entities, including the Ministries of Defence, Interior, Health and Prevention, Climate Change and Environment, Culture and Youth, Industry and Advanced Technology, as well as the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation, Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, Dubai Police, and the UAE Kimberley Office.

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