Free import
• Personal effects accompanying the traveler are exempt from customs duty, for example cameras, a laptop, a mobile phone, portable musical instruments, a baby stroller, a wheelchair and sports equipment.
• Gifts carried by the traveler worth up to AED 3,000.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 500 g of tobacco (pipe tobacco, smoking tobacco or shisha molasses). Duty is charged on larger quantities.
• For travelers aged 18 or older: up to 4 L of alcoholic beverages, or 2 cartons of beer (24 cans of up to 355 ml each per carton). Any excess alcohol is confiscated. It is illegal to drink or possess alcohol in the Emirate of Sharjah.
• Travelers under 18 may not bring in tobacco or alcohol. The exemption applies only to personal goods in non-commercial quantities, and not to frequent travelers, people who trade in the goods they carry, or crew members. Duty (and possibly VAT) is charged on anything above the limits.
Currency
• Cash (UAE dirhams or foreign currency), cheques, promissory notes, payment orders, precious metals and precious stones worth more than AED 60,000 in total (or the equivalent) must be declared on arrival. You can declare online or in the Afseh app of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP), in the iDeclare app at Dubai airports, or at the customs office. Declaring is free.
• Amounts carried by travelers under 18 are added to the limit of the accompanying parent or adult. Failing to declare can lead to a customs fine or referral to the police and prosecution.
Prohibited
• Narcotic drugs of all kinds, including products containing cannabis or CBD (such as some e-cigarette refills and skincare products)
• Indecent and obscene materials of all kinds
• Publications, artwork and other items that contradict Islamic teachings and values or public morals
• Items used in black magic, witchcraft or sorcery
• Gambling tools and machines
• Naswar and betel leaves (paan)
• Counterfeit goods and counterfeit money
• Pork products
Restricted
• Narcotic and psychotropic (controlled) medicines: you may bring up to 3 months' supply for your own use with a prescription issued within the last 3 months and a medical report issued within the last year, both stamped by your healthcare provider. You can get free prior approval online from the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE); without it, declare the medicines on arrival and show the documents. Other medicines need no permit, but carry the prescription. Travelers who stay airside in transit do not need approval.
• Weapons, ammunition (including body armour, cleaning kits and gun belts), explosives and fireworks need prior permission from UAE Customs and the Ministry of Defence, also when only transiting the UAE.
• E-cigarettes and electronic hookahs are restricted goods regulated by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.
• Drones, wireless and transmitting devices, electronic devices, filming equipment for news, films or official events, printed and audio-visual materials, cosmetics, food products, plants and seedlings may need a permit from the relevant authority. Food and consumer goods may not be brought in commercial quantities, and seedlings with soil are not allowed. Books, videos and magazines may be inspected and censored.
• Cats and dogs need an import permit from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), issued online before travel (AED 200 per animal, valid 90 days). You may import up to 2 pets per person per year. Each animal needs a microchip, an official veterinary health certificate, a vaccination record (rabies first given at 12 weeks of age or older, plus the core vaccines), and parasite treatment within 14 days before travel. Pets from countries not on MOCCAE's low-risk list (including the United States) must be at least 15 weeks old and have a rabies antibody test of at least 0.5 IU/ml, taken at least 21 days after a first vaccination. Some dog breeds are banned, including Pit Bull and Staffordshire terriers, American Bully, most mastiff breeds (such as Cane Corso, Bullmastiff and Tibetan Mastiff), Boerboel, Dogo Argentino, Presa Canario and Japanese Tosa.
• Other live animals, plants, and endangered species of animals and plants and products made from them (CITES) need approval from MOCCAE.
• Declare anything that may be prohibited, restricted or dutiable by using the red channel. If you are not sure, ask a customs officer.