Last updated: February 2010

Please see latest media update as of February 2010

The UAE government prohibits drugs, narcotics and chemicals and before you enter the UAE, you are advised to take all precaution to ensure that you do not carry such substances; either in person, your luggage or in medicines you may be carrying. Strict penalties include imprisonment followed by deportation.

Other banned items include pornographic material, non Islamic religious pamphlets for missionary activities, fireworks, ivory, weapons & ammunition, chemical and organic fertilizers, laser pens, radar jammers/other unauthorized communication devices, endangered animal species, and any objects, sculptures, paintings, books or magazines which do not adhere to the religious and moral values of the UAE.

Adults coming in through Dubai Airport are permitted to purchase cigarettes and alcohol (only non-Muslims), as per Dubai Customs laws.

Do ensure that your medicine does not contain a banned or restricted substance. See list of UAE restricted and controlled medicines or drugs. (49 page PDF download). Another specialized list mainly for pharmacists, but also useful is the Complete Guide to Management of Controlled Drugs in the Private Sector, issued by the General Authority for Health Services, Abu Dhabi.  (29 page PDF download).

If your medicine contains any banned or restricted substance, it is advisable not to carry them on your flight/travel into the UAE. However, if for medical or emergency reasons, you need to carry any medicines, please ensure that you have a medical prescription from a UAE-licensed doctor, or if treatment was undertaken abroad, you must carry both a doctor’s prescription as well as a detailed medical report, both of which should be suitable attested. You are not permitted to bring more than three month's supply of medicine, as per guidelines of Ministry of Health.

Besides the narcotics listed, all other recreational drugs including cocaine, heroin, cannabis and opiates and its derivatives are banned. Be careful of carrying in poppy seeds which are banned, so avoid accidentally carrying bakery products that might contain such seeds. Also banned is qat leaf, betel leaf or nuts, niswar, gutkha, which while admissible in some countries is not permitted in the UAE.

Do also keep in mind that on your flight out from any UAE airport, you need to comply with new regulations regarding liquids in your hand luggage, which should be contained within a transparent re-sealable plastic bag of not more than 1 litre capacity. Medicines and baby foods can be carried in your checked in luggage, but if you need medicines during your flight, you can place in your hand luggage, provided you have documentary evidence.

Contact Information for Medical Advice

DOHMS Pharmacy Technical Committee
Chairman – Dr. Ali Al Sayed Hussain
P.O Box 4545, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: 04-2192600, 04-2192601
Fax: 04-2192289

Email: alisayed@DOHMS.gov.ae
Website: http://dohmsptc.com/
Physical Location: Pharmaceutical Services Department, Villa SE 14&15, near Rashid Medical Library, Rashid Hospital Campus, Dubai.

Related Links

Dubai puts new drug regulations in place - Gulf News February 2010
UAE restricted and controlled medicines or drugs
Dubai Customs Red & Green Channels for declared goods at Dubai Airport
Complete Guide to Management of Controlled Drugs from Abu Dhabi Health Authority
Ask your Pharmacist eService from DOHMs
Gulf News article on keeping banned drugs off your travel kit
Gulf News article on avoiding bringing in banned items into the UAE
Crackdown on vendors selling banned products in Dubai
Codeine requires a prescription- Gulf News report
New rules on hand baggage liquids at Dubai Airport

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Even as Dubai eGovernment strives to ease your life in Dubai, we cannot guarantee 100 % that the information provided on these pages is accurate and up-to-date, since all information and procedures are subject to change and revision by the concerned authorities.