CUSTOMS

IMPORT REGULATIONS

Pets

A maximum of 2 pets per person are allowed per year.
An import permit must be obtained prior to importation, which is issued through the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment website. The validity of the permit is 90 days.
Cats and dogs must:

Be identified with a permanent microchip;
Have an authorised health certificate;
Have a vaccination document or passport with the microchip number. Vaccinations should be done at least 12 weeks old;
In the case of importing from a high risk country, have a rabies testing certificate;
Have a prior transit permit obtained from the Ministry for Cats and Dogs that pass through the country's territory during transit.

Pets imported from a low risk country must be at least 12 weeks old, and when imported from a high risk country must be at least 15 weeks old.
Pets should have received preventative does for internal and external parasites 14 days before arriving, which should be stated in the health certificate or passport of the animal.
During transit, animals are required to be isolated from any other animals.
The following dog breeds are banned from entry:

Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier , American Bully, Brazilian Mastiff (Fila Brasiliero), Argentinian Mastiff (Dogo Argentino), Tibetan Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, French Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux), Boerboel, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff), Bully Kutta (Alangu Mastiff, Indian Mastiff), Perro De Presa Canario (Canary Mastiff), Japaneese tosa, Presa Canario.

Pets will be rejected and/or confiscated if these import regulations are not followed.

Low risk countries

Australia, Austria, Andorra, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, French Polynesia, Falkland Islands, Germany, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Mauritius, Malta, Caledonia. New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, San Marino, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Netherlands, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Palau, Latvia, Albania, Croatia, Maldives, Spain (excluding Melilla), Cyprus, Korea, Montenegro, Seychelles, Suriname, Micronesia, Greece, Marshall Islands, Bahamas, Lithuania, Macedonia.

High risk countries

Any country that is not a low risk country.

For more information about importing animals, see the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment page for cats and dogs, or their page for other animals and birds.

Free to Import

Alcohol (is restricted to travellers 18 years and over)

One of the following:

4 litres of alcoholic beverages; or
2 cartons of beer each with up to 24 cans of beer 355mL or less.

Tobacco (restricted to travellers 18 years and over)

All of the following:

200 cigarettes;
50 cigars; and
500 grams of tobacco.

Currency (restricted to travellers 18 years and over)

Travellers may bring in any currency and money up to AED60,000.

Other Goods

Gifts whose value does not exceed AED3,000.
Personal belongings, including phones, portable music equipment, sports equipment, and wheelchairs.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

Narcotic drugs such as hashish, cocaine, heroin, and hallucination pills.

Gambling tools and equipment.

Printed publications, paintings, photographs, books, and other media which contradict Islamic teaching and decency.

Goods from boycotted countries.

Goods of Israeli origin or bearing Israeli trademarks or logos.

Counterfeit and fake goods.

Forged and counterfeit currency.

Rhino horn and ivory.

Three layer fishing nets.

Original engravings, prints, lithographs, sculptures and statues.

Used, reconditioned and inlaid tyres.

Cooked and homemade foods.
Items linked to sorcery.
Nuclear materials.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

Military weapons, ammunition, and explosives.
Up to 3 months' supply of prescription medication for personal use.

Endangered species and their derivative products require permission from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

Certain plants and their produce are restricted. For further information, please visit the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

EXPORT REGULATIONS

Free to Export

All goods imported for personal use.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be taken out of the country.

Same as prohibited to import list.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to departure.

Same as restricted to import list.

Please note that customs requirements may differ between Emirates. For further information on the customs requirements of the Emirate you are visiting, please visit the following pages:

For more information, please visit the official UAE website.