UAE Travel Guide: Banned items, Guidelines for bringing medicines & drugs to the UAE

Banned Items: The violators face strict penalties including imprisonment followed by deportation.

1. All kinds of narcotic drugs (hashish, cocaine, heroin, poppy seeds, hallucinogenic pills, etc.).

2. Goods intended to be imported from boycotted countries.

3. Goods of Israeli origin or bearing Israeli trademarks or logos

4. Crude ivory and rhinoceros horn.

5. Gambling tools and machinery.

6. Three layered fishing nets.

7. Original engravings, prints, lithographs, sculptures and statues in any material.

8. Used, reconditioned and inlaid tires.

9. Radiation polluted substances.

10. Printed publications, oil paintings, photographs, pictures, cards, books, magazines, stone sculptures and mannequins which contradict Islamic teachings, decency, or deliberately imply immorality or turmoil.

11. Any other goods, the importation of which is prohibited under the authority of UAE customs laws or any other laws in the country.

12. Forged and duplicate currency.

13. Cooked and home-made foods.
Following items you should never put in your carry-on luggage. UAE airlines such as Etihad and Emirates also have also listed items that passengers cannot bring on board.

Note that these are separate from the list of items that are banned from being brought into the UAE. While some of these items can still be brought through check-in, the items in the list compiled by Dubai Customs and Airports are not allowed under any circumstance.

Powders As of June 30, 2018, the US Transportation Security Administration is changing the rules about taking powders on planes. After this date, any powder-like substances bigger than 350ml/12oz - about the size of a soda can - should be put in checked baggage and not in hand luggage. 

Smart luggage In January 2018, the rules governing smart luggage in the US changed, making it even more important to check the rules with an individual airline before you fly anywhere. Smart bags use lithium batteries to run GPS tracking systems, phone chargers and electronic locks, which have been to linked to fires on planes.

Baby foods You need to be careful with baby foods and check with the governing authority at your destination and departure airports before you travel, or you could get yourself into trouble. The UK government, for example, will allow you to carry formula and cow's milk in your hand luggage but your baby must be present. The same applies to a baby's sterilized water, soya milk and baby food. 

Medicine You need to be careful when you're taking medicines on an airplane, and make sure you think ahead. If you're taking more than 100ml of prescribed medicines on board with you, carry the prescription. If you're bringing medicines into the UAE you should make sure you've checked the list of controlled medicines in the UAE.

Ten bottles of perfume No matter how fresh you'd like to smell on your holiday, you can't go crazy with the scent bottles, unless you can fit them into a single, transparent plastic bag no more than 20cm by 20cm, which is very unlikely.

Cricket bat
Not exactly the most discreet of possible weapons you could take on a plane, but banned nonetheless. In fact, most sports equipment is not allowed in hand luggage; the list extends to badminton rackets, billiard cues and (more understandably) catapults and harpoons.

Fishing rod
If you plan to catch your supper on holiday you won't be doing it with your own rod (unless you check it into the hold). The same applies to golf clubs and pool cues, which are also banned on board.

Drills
If you're heading home for a renovation project, don't think you can take your own tools in your hand luggage. Drills, screwdrivers, spanners, nails and laser pointers all need to be checked. 

Soup
Even if airplane food isn't your thing, you won't be allowed to enjoy that homemade liquid carrot and cilantro soup you plan to take in your cabin baggage. Liquid is liquid, and unless you want to take up space in your clear, plastic bag with a 100ml bottle of soup, don't bother bringing it to the airport. The same applies to chutneys and jams.

Peroxide
Chemicals and toxic substances are not allowed on planes. Fact. This rule includes everything from rat poison, fireworks and dynamite, to pool chlorine, tear gas and gel candles. Electronic cigarettes and vaporizers are allowed in hand luggage by most airlines (but not in the hold) so check the rules before you fly.

Aerosols
No, we don't mean the hairspray or deodorant kind, we mean the graffiti kind -- these are a definite no no. But on the subject of personal hygiene, yes you can take your deodorant, hairspray or other aerosols in your carry-on baggage if they are 100ml or less and in a clear, plastic bag of 20cm by 20cm. Be warned that the bag must be sealed, so don't overstuff it.

Tent pegs
We know the UAE is full of great camping spots but if you wanted to take your trusty tent on holiday with you, you won't be taking it in your hand luggage. Most airports won't allow metal tent pegs to be taken through security. Tent poles, apparently, are fine though!

(Multiple) lighters
In the US and the UK, lighters without fuel are allowed in checked baggage in the hold. If they do contain fuel, you can't put them in the hold but you can carry one on your person (not packed in your hand luggage). And you're only allowed one.

Needles
You can't do your knitting because needles are not allowed in the cabin on Emirates flights. Hypodermic needles and syringes are also prohibited unless they are for medical reasons. You'll need a medical certificate for that by the way.

Beach balls
Sure, you're going on a holiday but that doesn't mean that you can bring your beach ball and other inflatable items with you. There is one small exception though. All you have to do is deflate them and you're free to bring them along.
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Nine-point guideline for bringing medicines and drugs into the country:

1. As certain chemicals and drugs are banned in the UAE, it is essential to check and ensure that the medicines which someone is carrying does not contain a banned or restricted substance. The list of drugs and medicines banned in the UAE is available on this website.

2. If for medical or emergency reasons, one needs to carry any medicines, one should have a medical prescription from a UAE-licenced doctor. If treatment was undertaken outside the UAE, one must carry both a doctor's prescription as well as a detailed medical report, both of which should be suitably attested.

3 Residents and non-resident patients can bring into the UAE at most a three-month supply of prescription medicine, for their personal use.

4. Psychotropic medicines can be brought by non-residents to cover their personal consumption for a maximum of three months.

5. Psychotropic medicines can be brought in by residents in a quantity sufficient for one month's consumption. However, residents can bring at most a three-month supply if the medicine is not available in the UAE provided that they obtain prior approval from the Drug Control Department.

6. Resident and non-resident patients should not bring narcotic medicines into the country without the prior approval of the Ministry of Health. Each case will be studied and approved. A valid prescription and medical report from the concerned hospital or department will be required.

7. Medicines that arrive in the country via postal courier cannot be released to the patient unless the above requirements are fulfilled.

8. For more information related to restrictions on carrying of medicines, drugs and chemicals into the UAE, one must check the Dubai Customs website or www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae beforehand.

9. Be careful of carrying in poppy seeds which are banned, so avoid accidentally carrying bakery products that might contain such seeds. Also banned are qat leaf, betel leaf or nuts, niswar, gutkha. These while admissible in some countries are not permitted in the UAE.

Dubai Customs Call Center 800 800 80


Minors need parent's authorisation when travelling to UAE without them

Minors aged 18 years and below will not be allowed to travel to the UAE without an authorisation letter from their parents in case they are not travelling with them, as per an advisory issued by Air India. The move, which is effective from June 1, 2018 comes following a warning from Dubai Police and other relevant authorities to prevent child trafficking.

Authorisation form to be filled from their parents with relevant details of their address abroad and in the UAE, and information about who would be receiving them in the UAE (in case they are not travelling with a parent).

Also, in case the minor is travelling with another family member, an authorisation letter from the parents or the guardians is still required. Airlines staff can escort the minors through immigration, provided that the form is filled and the process to hand them over to the receiving person is dully followed.
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You can Check-in your bags from your home or hotel through DNATA Mobile Service
Save time by skipping baggage drop-off and check-in queues at the airport. DUBZ (A division of DNATA) team will come with a dnata agent to your home or hotel, anywhere in Dubai, and pick-up your bags. They will directly provide you with your boarding pass and baggage tags. Click here for their service.
Here’s a list of airlines that offer home check-in services in Dubai:

Terminal 1:
Saudia
flynas
China Southern
Kuwait Airways
Gulf Air
SaudiGulf
Royal Jordanian
Aeroflot
Ethiopian
Terminal 2:
flydubai
Terminal 3:

What items are banned in your luggage?

 Emirates: In addition to home check-in, DUBZ also offers an airport pick-up service, so when you land back in Dubai, you only need to clear security and immigration – no long waiting and jostling with other passengers around baggage belts. Just go straight home, and let the DUBZ team deal with the heavy lifting.

Choosing your bag: All bags brought into UAE airports must have at least one flat surface. Round and irregular shaped parcels will not be accepted at check in. Your bag also shouldn’t have a long strap.

 Checked in luggage: According to Dubai Airports, a maximum two pieces of baggage are allowed for international travel, with the total weight not exceeding 32 kg. However, this definitely varies by airline and fare type. Always check your ticket and make sure you check with your airline before you fly.

 Hand luggage: Usually airlines accept two pieces of hand luggage. A shoulder bag such as a purse, laptop bag and backpack, as well as a small cabin bag. Cabin baggage should have a maximum length of 56 cm, width of 45 cm and depth of 25 cm including all handles, side pockets and wheels.

 Liquids In a carry on: These days the restriction on liquids is universal, although enforcement of the rules may vary from country to country. In UAE airports, all liquids should be packed inside a clear, re-sealable plastic bag, within your hand baggage. The item can’t be more than 100 ml and the total of all your items can’t exceed one litre.
Exceptions are made for medication, baby milk and foods and special dietary requirements to be used during the trip.

 Money: The UAE keeps a close eye on money laundering and suspicious financial activities, as a result passengers traveling are supposed to declare whether they have large sums of cash on them. The rule in the UAE is that cash, currencies and travelers cheques cannot altogether exceed Dh100,000 as long as the passenger’s age is over 18 years old.

 Food: According to UAE government you can in fact import a certain limit of food for non-commercial purposes. These include no more than: • 20kg yoghurt • 50l oil • 10kg of vegetables and fruits • 100kg dates • 10kg sweets • 30kg grains and red meat • 10kg seafood • 500gm caviar • 11kg eggs • 20kg honey • 5 kg herbs • 500 gm saffron • 10 kg children's food • 20l of drinks and syrups including water • 5 kg juice • 25 kg canned food.

 Medicines: The UAE government advises tourists to be extra cautious about bringing in certain types of medicines into the UAE. Some medicines from other countries could contain substances that are banned in the UAE, which could lead to the arrest of those carrying them.

 What are the medicines banned in UAE?

 Top 20 medicines that are banned in the UAE: Alpha-methylifentanyl Betamethodol Cannabis Codoxime Concentration of poppy straw Fentanyl Methadone Morphine Opium Oxycodone Phenoperidine Trimeperidine Ketamine Codeine Cathinone Amphetamine Pentobarbital Bromazepam Risperidone Tramadol.

 Loose batteries: According to Emirates Airlines, batteries that are spare or loose, including lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries, for portable electronic devices must be carried in carry-on baggage only.

 Power banks: Articles which have the primary purpose as a power source, such as power banks, are considered as spare batteries. These batteries must be individually protected to avoid short-circuit. Each passenger is limited to a maximum of 20 spare batteries.

 E-cigarettes: E-cigarettes, including e-cigars, e-pipes, Electric Portable Incense (perfume) burner or other personal vaporizers that contain batteries must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation. They cannot be placed in your checked in luggage. Can only be traveled with on a carry on.

 Personal motorised: vehicles For safety reasons, airports in the UAE will not accept personal motorised vehicles such as hover boards, Segways and smart or self-balancing wheels on flights. UAE Airports, for example, prohibits the carriage of all such devices – with or without batteries - as checked–in or carry–on baggage. This regulation still applies even if you’re connecting in the UAE from an airline that has accepted them.
Smart bags: Do or Don’t? Whether you’re flying with Emirates or any other airline, bear in mind that if you are flying to the United States, smart luggage has been banned since January 2018. A number of other airlines have banned smart bags from the hold unless the lithium battery can be removed.
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FAMILY VISA
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HOUSEMAID VISA
BUSINESS SET-UP IN UAE
EMPLOYMENT VISA
VISIT & TOURIST VISA
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