The big day is approaching, your relocation is only a few weeks away, and you are lost in preparing your luggage? Which items are you allowed and not allowed to take? Merritt Middle East helps you see more clearly what is allowed, what is not, and what is checked by customs when departing from France and upon arrival in Dubai.

Here we go. Goodbye, Charles de Gaulle…

But before leaving French territory for good, you will have to undergo customs inspection. As with any flight, you will be allowed to carry certain items in your luggage (whether carry-on or checked baggage). These include products you need in your daily life: clothing, toiletries, small electronic devices (computer, tablets…). HOWEVER, some products are strictly prohibited or restricted, so you will not be able to take them with you on your flight. You will have to ship them by cargo along with the rest of your belongings. We still recommend checking the official website or calling your airline for more details about what you can and cannot take with you on your journey to the UAE. Most future expatriates choose the cargo solution to ship their personal belongings. This solution is safer but requires more time for shipping, delivery, and customs clearance. The best option is to use companies specializing in relocation to send your personal belongings by sea or air freight. Sea freight remains the least expensive option. Once your plane has landed in the UAE, you will once again be subject to customs inspection, and the UAE authorities are uncompromising. It is better to be informed about the rules in force.

Items prohibited in the UAE

The UAE are very strict when it comes to importing prohibited items and the illegal importation of regulated items into the UAE. While some items are restricted, others are completely prohibited from entering the UAE. Be aware that you could face very serious risks and legal action. Note that your consulates will under no circumstances be able to intervene on your behalf.

The list of prohibited items includes, but is not limited to:

• Hashish, opium, heroin, morphine, cocaine, papaver and its husks and seeds, khat, cannabis and any other substance with a similar effect
• Counterfeit and forged currencies
• Authentic publications, oil paintings, photographs, pictures, maps, books, magazines, stone sculptures that contradict Islamic teachings or public decency, or deliberately promote immorality or turmoil.
• Raw ivory (elephant ivory) and rhinoceros horn.
• Falcons are prohibited from April 1 to August 31 each year, except in the following cases:
  1. Falcons with permits under the CITES Convention.
  2. Falcons with passports.
  3. Sick falcons arriving for treatment after obtaining permits from the Environmental Research Authority
• Gambling tools and machines
• Candy cigarettes
• Ozone-depleting substances
• Radioactive materials
• Asbestos sheets and pipes
• Red laser pointers
• Hazardous waste
• Controlled/recreational drugs and narcotics
• Pirated content
• Items used in black magic, witchcraft or sorcery
• Exotic, protected and endangered animals and certain dog breeds

More details at THIS LINK.

Restricted items in the UAE

Certain goods, such as animals, medicines and weapons, may only be imported/exported after obtaining the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities. Some of the restricted products are:

Pets and domestic animals

• You may import cats and dogs into the UAE after obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
• You will need to provide your pet's vaccination card, health certificate, passport and microchip details.
• Some animals may need to undergo a rabies screening test before entering the UAE.
• For more information, check with UAE-based airlines regarding the specific rules for permitted pets.
• You may import, export, release and apply for transit of horses, and import live animals, birds and ornamental fish into the UAE after obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

Agricultural production

You may import seeds, tubers, outdoor plants and bees into the UAE after obtaining a permit from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

Food

According to Ministerial Resolution No. 14 of 2016 concerning the control of imported food for non-commercial purposes, you may bring a maximum of:

• 20 kg of yogurt
• 50 liters of oil (including olive oil)
• 10 kg of various types of fruit and vegetables
• 100 kg of dates
• 10 kg of sweets and bread
• 30 kg of grains, cereals, and red meat
• 10 kg of fish and seafood
• 500 g of caviar
• 11 kg of eggs
• 20 kg of honey and sweet products
• 5 kg of herbs and spices, including vinegar, orange blossom water, and rose water
• 500 g of saffron
• 10 kg of special foods, such as baby food, are allowed
• 20 liters of beverages and syrups with water
• 5 kg of juice concentrates
• 25 kg of canned goods.

You cannot import cooked duck eggs (called balut) without authorization from the customs authorities. If you import eggs, you must present a health certificate stating the eggs' production and expiration dates and confirming that the eggs were produced on farms free from salmonella and avian influenza.

Medicines

Tourists should be careful about the medicines they bring from their home countries. Some medicines may contain substances prohibited in the UAE, resulting in the arrest of those carrying them. Therefore, travelers must not only carry the doctor's prescription, but also ensure that the number of tablets is justified for normal use during the planned duration of their stay. Learn about controlled medicines in the health section at THIS LINK. There is zero tolerance for drug-related offenses, whether involving controlled or recreational drugs.

Weapons

Weapons, ammunition, body armor, and related equipment (such as cleaning kits, firearm belts, etc.), regardless of quantity or purpose, all require authorization from the Ministry of Interior before entering or transiting through the UAE.

Technical equipment

Equipment such as satellite phones, listening or recording devices, radio transmitters, powerful cameras, or binoculars may require a license from the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority for use in the UAE.

Liquid cash

Persons passing through the Emirates must declare the cash in their possession; if the cash amount exceeds AED 60,000 (sixty thousand dirhams), or its equivalent in other currencies, as well as traveler's checks. They must then complete a form prepared in accordance with the disclosure law applicable in the State.

• Persons under 18 are not permitted to carry cash amounts exceeding the AED 60,000 limit, and the cash in their possession will be added to that of their accompanying guardians. Source: Federal Law No. 4 of 2003 regarding the Criminalization of Money Laundering and the resolutions of the UAE Central Bank.

Passengers arriving from or departing to European Union countries with EUR 10,000 or more in cash must disclose the amount to the customs officer.

Personal Belongings

Passengers' personal belongings are permitted entry and exempt from customs duties if the passenger meets the following conditions:

• the value of gifts, perfumes, and personal baggage does not exceed AED 3,000
• baggage and gifts must be in limited quantities and not for commercial purposes
• the passenger must not be a frequent traveler carrying goods on a regular basis, or a member of the transport crew (such as a flight attendant).

Cigarettes and Alcohol

You may import cigarettes and alcohol if:

• you are over 18 years old to carry cigarettes or alcoholic beverages permitted in the country
• the quantity of alcoholic beverages and beer does not exceed 4 liters or 2 cartons of beer (each consisting of 24 cans, each not exceeding 355 ml or the equivalent)
• the number of cigarettes does not exceed 400; their value does not exceed AED 2,000
• the value of cigars in the passengers' possession does not exceed AED 3,000
• A maximum of 500 grams of shredded tobacco for smoking or pipes, or shredded tobacco or molasses tobacco. In the event of an excess quantity, that quantity is subject to the prescribed duties.

In the event of an excess quantity, that quantity is subject to the prescribed duties.

What must be declared and the amount of taxes

When you exceed the permitted thresholds, the applicable customs duty rate is 5% of the value of the goods plus the cost of transport insurance. For alcohol, the customs duty is 50%, and 100% for cigarettes. Find all the unified customs tariffs for the GCC states for 2017: https://www.fca.gov.ae/