Each traveller is permitted to bring the following with them into the United Arab Emirates (UAE): 4 litres of alcohol or one carton / 24 cans of beer. AED 2,000 worth of cigarettes or 400 sticks of cigarettes.
Checked Bags: Yes
Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags.
Alcoholic beverages, when in retail packaging, containing more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol by volume, in receptacles not exceeding 5 L, with a total net quantity per person of 5 L.
20 litres of drinks and syrups including water.
Alcohol. UAE Residents can drink alcohol at home and in licensed venues. Liquor licences are still required for Residents in Dubai but are no longer required for Residents in Abu Dhabi and other Emirates (save for Emirate of Sharjah) to purchase alcohol for personal consumption.
UAE Alcohol rule changes since November 2020:
A person still must be at least 21 years old to buy alcohol legally in the UAE, and anyone caught selling alcohol to someone deemed underage will be punished. Alcohol can only be consumed privately or in licensed public places.
For your safety, the General Department of Airport Security is required to inspect all checked-in baggage at Dubai International Airport.
- Each item can't be more than 100ml and the total can't exceed one litre. - Exemptions will be made for medication, baby milk/foods and special dietary requirements to be used during your trip.
All fireworks and any other items containing explosives (for example, Christmas crackers, firecrackers, bottle rockets, poppers and sparklers) are forbidden to be carried either as carry‑on baggage or as checked baggage on our flights.
containers must hold no more than 100ml. containers should be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures around 20cm by 20cm. contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed. the bag must not be knotted or tied at the top.
Personal safety in Dubai is largely attributed to strict laws and a general obedience to the rigorous government. While Dubai is, in general, less strict than the other Emirates, still be wary of a few sensitive topics, from alcohol laws to LGBTQ+ laws.
10 kg of special-purpose food such as children's food is allowed. 20 litres of drinks and syrups including water. 5 kg of juice concentrates. 25 kg of canned food.
Dubai is a fairly liberal emirate, both compared to neighboring parts of the UAE, and to surrounding countries. Many things such as alcohol, dancing, loud music, and scanty clothing are permitted to an extent, but it's best to keep things moderate.
Travel restrictions related to Covid-19 have eased significantly, however there are still some important points travellers must be aware of while travelling through, from or to DXB. Mask-wearing is optional for passengers at DXB and Dubai World Central (DWC).
Dress code in public places in Dubai
Women do not have to cover their head, face and hair with a scarf or something similar in public, although Muslim women, particularly Gulf Arabs, do cover their hair, face and head with a scarf for cultural and religious reasons.
While many countries allow adults to buy alcohol in supermarkets and wine shops, that is not the case in Dubai. It can only be purchased at stores exclusively selling alcohol.
Around new areas such as Dubai Marina or Downtown it is not such an issue and men and women can wear shorts and sleeveless or strappy tops. If you are in some of the older areas like Deira or Bur Dubai then a little more respect should be shown and wearing a t-shirt and slightly longer pants is recommended.
What happens if you are caught? Dubai has very strict laws and tough penalties including fines and jail. Visitors caught drinking or being drunk may find they are locked up without bail while their case is investigated. And they could have their passport confiscated for months, meaning they cannot go home.
Paracetamol is not featured on the MoH's list of controlled drugs4, so you should be able to take it into Dubai. However, if you are ever unsure then check with your doctor. Codeine is a controlled drug in the UAE, so you will need permission to take co-codamol (paracetamol and codeine) into the country.
While it's great to have cash on hand for tips, taxis, and bargaining in the souks (markets), you won't need to carry wads of notes for larger transactions. Major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted in Dubai's hotels, shops and restaurants.
Travelers arriving in the UAE are needed to declare cash or other monetary instruments including travelers' cheques carried along in an amount exceeding AED 100,000 or its equivalent in other foreign currencies.
The death penalty can be applied in the United Arab Emirates as a capital punishment for crimes endangering the society's safety. It is rarely carried out, however, as a panel of three judges must agree on the decision of a sentence to death and the death penalty may not be executed until it is confirmed by the U.A.E.
How strict is the dress code in Dubai? Tourists will find that Dubai is a welcoming place that is home to melting pot of cultures and most forms of dress are acceptable, provided that they are modest. You certainly aren't restricted to any one type of clothing!