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UAE Customs
Regulations for
Removals to UAE

Dubai

United Arab Emirates -
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CUSTOMS REGULATIONS 
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  • CUSTOMER MUST BE PRESENT FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE in Abu Dhabi.

  • All shipments subject to inspection. 

  • All used household goods and personal effects are duty-free, subject to returning resident proving he has resided abroad.  

  • All new household goods dutiable, value determined by customs official. 

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DOCUMENTS REQUIRED 
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  • Copy of passport

  • Copy of residence permit / residency visa on passport

  • Employment visa with entry stamp of UAE if residence visa not ready / Emirates ID copy / Emirates ID application form / Visa applicable form etc.

  • Bill of lading (express release) / air waybill (AWB)

  • Detailed packing list in English

  • Letter from Ministry of Foreign Affairs for exemption from the payment of Customs duties (diplomats)

  • Copy of diplomatic card (diplomats)

  • Letter of authorization / undertaking

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CUSTOMS REGULATIONS 
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  • CUSTOMER MUST BE PRESENT FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE in Abu Dhabi.

  • All shipments subject to inspection. 

  • All used household goods and personal effects are duty-free, subject to returning resident proving he has resided abroad.  

  • All new household goods dutiable, value determined by customs official. 

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MOTOR VEHICLES 
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  • Can only be registered with a valid United Arab Emirates Residence Visa 

  • Only one car is allowed per adult person. A family importing two cars must have each vehicle registered under a different family member. Customs will not allow two cars in the same container so each car must be shipped in a separate container. Documents need to be consigned in each name, and each must have a valid Residence Visa for the U.A.E Import of vehicles is tracked by customs and one is only allowed to import a car once. 

  • Each customer is allowed one car an one motorbike. Same rules apply for motorcycles as for cars and the documentation required is also the same (see below, very important requirements) 

  • Cars with tinted glass are not allowed to be imported. The owner will be fined and asked to have all tinted windows replaced.  

  • Duty is applicable on all used motor vehicles at 5% of the customs assessed value.  

  • Documents required: 

  • Registration documents from origin / Certificate of Origin (Title or Deed) or Copy of Purchase Invoice or proof of ownership. 

  • One of these documents must show: chassis number, engine number, make, model, year and colour. 

  • Copy of Passport (picture and personal details page(s)) 

  • UAE Residence Permit/Visa 

  • Estimate of depreciated value of the car at the time of import 

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PETS 
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  • Dogs and cats import permitted with the following documentation: 

  • U.A.E. Import Certificate to enter the country 

  • Valid rabies vaccine record showing: 

  • valid rabies vaccine given within one year 

  • If only one vaccine has been given this should be done more than 30 days prior to arrival 

  • As first rabies vaccines are given at 3 months of age, animals must be a least 4 months old when traveling to the U.A.E. 

  • Microchip identification 

  • Cargo entry (excess or accompanied baggage not allowed) 

  • Health certificate issued by the exporting country within 10 days of travel 

  • Breeds barred entry to the UAE include: Pit Bull (Includes American Pit Bull Terrier), American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the American Bulldog and crosses between them, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Akita, Dogo Argentino, Fila Braziliero, crosses of all above mentioned breeds.

  • NOTE: Animals leaving without proper paperwork are confiscated and kept at the airport or other secure facility until paperwork is obtained. This is at the owner's expense. 

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DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS 
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  • All import moves to UAE are subject to 5% VAT based on the "Declared Value" of the HHG

  • New items 

  • Plants and plant material require a Health Certificate 

  • Medication and foodstuff (subject to special approval and inspection by Ministry of Health), must be packed separately. Please note some medicines allowed in Western countries are prohibited in the UAE and are best avoided completely.  

  • All political and religious literature needs prior approval from the Ministry.  

  • Flammable or corrosive items 

  • Exposed film or other valuables, stamp or coin collections of high value 

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PROHIBITED ITEMS 
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  • Alcoholic beverages are STRICTLY PROHIBITED. All shipping containers are scanned and items appearing as bottles are screened. Please ensure absolutely no alcohol is included in the shipment. Fines and heavy duty are applied on shipments found to contain alcohol and the consignee is liable to potential deportation. 

  • All items manufactured by Israeli blacklist and Israeli origin 

  • Firearms, weapons and ammunition (even decorative items of this nature and toy guns are subject to confiscation) 

  • Erotic statues/figurines, idols, made of any metal/clay/glass, etc., defined offensive to Islamic teachings and principles 

  • Narcotics and drugs (including seemingly innocent dried poppy flower arrangements) can lead to very severe legal action and even long prison terms. (Prescribed drugs allowed in reasonable quantities, but subject to analysis). 

  • Articles dealing with endangered animals and any items made out of ivory 

  • Wireless transmitters and communications equipment 

  • False and counterfeit money 

  • Pornographic, political and religious material which might be deemed offensive to the United Arab Emirates government or the Islamic faith. 

  • Pork meat 

  • Prohibited articles detained by the Customs authorities may be destroyed without consignee's consent 

  • *ALL PRINTED MATTER, BOOKS, PICTURES, RECORDS, FILMS, TAPES, SLIDES, MOVIES, VIDEOS, COMPACT DISCS, COMPUTER SOFTWARE, ETC. ARE SUBJECT TO CENSORSHIP AND CONFISCATION (MUST BE PACKED SEPARATELY FOR EASY ACCESS AND CLEARLY MARKED ON THE INVENTORY) 

  • Gambling items

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NOTE - Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The customs information provided is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to each destination country and is being provided for general guidance. We are not liable for any costs, damage, delays, duties, taxes or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance, errors or omissions. Customers should always check full requirements with the local embassy or consulate.
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