Travelling to the United Arab Emirates requires a clear understanding of customs regulations, particularly concerning cash, jewellery, valuables, and tobacco. Knowing how much cash you can carry to the UAE, the duty-free allowances, and the declaration requirements ensures a smooth entry and exit experience. The UAE has strict customs rules designed to regulate high-value items, protect public safety, and prevent money laundering.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- Overview of UAE Customs Declaration Requirements
- Cash, Jewellery, and Valuables Rules
- Tobacco and Gift
- Crossing Borders: Leaving UAE vs Entering UAE
- Restricted and Prohibited Items
- Customs Channels & Penalties
- Tips for Smooth Travel Through UAE Customs
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Overview of UAE Customs Declaration Requirements
The UAE requires travellers to declare certain items when entering or leaving the country. Failure to comply can lead to confiscation, fines, or legal penalties. Understanding the declaration process is essential for anyone carrying high-value items or gifts.
What Must Be Declared
Travellers must declare:
- Cash and traveller’s cheques
- Precious metals such as gold and silver
- Jewellery and precious stones
- Bearer financial instruments
Any of the above items must be declared if their total value exceeds AED 60,000 (approximately USD 16,000+).
For travellers under 18, any cash or valuables they carry count towards their parent or guardian’s total allowance. This ensures minors do not bypass the declaration threshold.
How to Declare
Declaration is done online via the Afseh platform at declare.customs.ae or through the mobile app provided by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security (ICP). Travellers need to provide:
- Travel and identity details
- Item descriptions and their declared values
Once submitted, approval is required before entering or leaving the UAE. Importantly, there is no fee for using this platform.
Cash, Jewellery & Valuables Rules
High-value items require careful attention to avoid customs complications. The UAE specifies clear thresholds and exemptions for cash, jewellery, and other valuables.
Thresholds & Definition
The declaration threshold is AED 60,000 (~USD 16,000) for:
- Cash
- Cheques and traveller’s cheques
- Precious metals (gold, silver)
- Gems and jewellery
- Bearer financial instruments
“Precious metals and stones” explicitly includes jewellery and valuable gemstones, ensuring travellers understand what items fall under this category.
Exemptions & Duty-Free Passengers’ Allowances
Personal jewellery valued at under AED 60,000 is usually exempt from declaration. Gifts, personal effects, and small items for personal use, such as clothing, electronics, and toiletries, are duty-free up to AED 3,000 in value.
These exemptions are designed to facilitate travel without unnecessary paperwork for personal belongings, while still regulating items of significant value.
Consequences of Non-Declaration
Failing to declare cash or valuables exceeding AED 60,000 can result in:
- Confiscation of undeclared items
- Monetary fines
- Possible legal action
In some cases, customs may impound disputed items, which may be auctioned later if not claimed. Being transparent and using the Afseh platform ensures compliance and avoids these complications.
Tobacco & Gifts
Travellers should be aware of duty-free limits for tobacco and gifts to prevent penalties at customs.
Tobacco Allowance
Duty-free tobacco limits include:
- 400 cigarettes, or
- 50 cigars, or
- 500 grams of tobacco or pipe mixture
Gifts & Personal Effects
Duty-free gifts and personal effects are permitted up to AED 3,000 in value. Items must be for personal use and not for resale. Exceeding this value may result in customs duties.
Crossing Borders: Leaving UAE vs Entering UAE
The same rules largely apply whether entering or leaving the UAE, but travellers should note key differences.
When Entering the UAE
Travellers must declare:
- Cash and valuables exceeding AED 60,000
- Tobacco beyond permitted quotas
- Gifts and personal effects exceeding AED 3,000
Customs duties apply to tobacco exceeding the limits. Using the Afseh platform prior to arrival helps prevent delays.
When Departing the UAE
Passengers leaving the UAE must also declare cash and valuables above AED 60,000. It is recommended to carry:
- Invoices for jewellery and precious stones
- Proof of purchase for expensive electronics or gifts
This ensures smooth customs clearance and prevents disputes when departing.
Restricted & Prohibited Items
The UAE has strict regulations on items that cannot be imported or require permits.
Strictly Prohibited
Travellers may not bring in:
- Illegal narcotics and psychotropic substances
- Gambling tools
- Counterfeit currency
- Pirated media
- Materials that offend Islamic values
- Certain wildlife products
- Used or reconditioned tyres
Restricted Items (Permit Required)
Certain items require official permits or approvals:
- Controlled medicines, often needing a prescription
- Live animals and plants, requiring veterinary or phytosanitary certificates
- Drones or specialised equipment, which may need registration
Understanding these restrictions helps prevent inadvertent violations.
Customs Channels & Penalties
The UAE operates Green and Red channels to efficiently manage customs clearance.
Green vs Red Channel
- Green Channel: For travellers with nothing to declare. Items are below all limits.
- Red Channel: For travellers who must declare:
- Cash over AED 60,000
- Valuables exceeding the limit
- Excess tobacco
- Restricted items
Selecting the correct channel and being transparent prevents fines and confiscation.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Non-compliance can result in:
- Confiscation of undeclared cash, jewellery, or valuables
- Fines and potential legal action
- Duties payable on excess tobacco and gifts
Using the Afseh platform proactively and declaring items early is strongly advised.
Tips for Smooth Travel Through UAE Customs
- Keep receipts and proof of purchase for jewellery, electronics, and gifts.
- Use the Afseh platform in advance if carrying high-value cash or valuables.
- Know the rules in each Emirate (Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi) as allowances may differ.
- Declare early if unsure- use the Red Channel and be transparent to avoid complications.
Key Takeaways
- Travellers to and from the UAE are required to declare cash, cheques, precious metals, stones, and jewellery when their total value exceeds AED 60,000.
- Gifts and personal effects within reasonable quantities and valued under AED 3,000 are duty-free.
- The UAE maintains strict prohibitions on illegal narcotics, counterfeit items, certain media content, and other restricted goods that require permits.
- To ensure compliance, travellers should use the Afseh platform to declare high-value items and select the Red Channel at customs if necessary, as failure to declare can result in fines, confiscation, or further legal action.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, if the total value of the jewellery and valuables you carry exceeds AED 60,000, you must declare them. Personal jewellery worn under that limit is generally exempt.
Yes. The same AED 60,000 threshold applies when leaving the UAE, and a declaration is required for any amounts or valuables above this limit.
No. Any cash or valuables that minors carry are added to the allowance of their parents or guardian and count toward the AED 60,000 limit.
Yes. Different rules apply to each category (valuables, tobacco, gifts), and each has its own limit. Exceeding the allowance in any category requires a declaration and may require payment of customs duty.
