Dhaka: The UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security has issued updated customs regulations for travellers entering and leaving the country, aiming to ensure safety and streamline border procedures, local media reported.

Under the new rules aligned with the GCC Unified Customs Law, travellers must declare cash, valuables, and restricted goods at ports of entry.

Cash amounts exceeding AED 60,000 (or equivalent) in currencies, negotiable instruments, precious metals, or valuable stones must be declared using an official form. Failure to do so may lead to confiscation or legal action.

Personal belongings and gifts are exempt from duties if their total value does not exceed AED 3,000, provided they are non-commercial and in reasonable quantities.

Tobacco products are limited to 200 cigarettes or equivalent amounts of pipe tobacco or shisha, with excess subject to customs duties.

The list of prohibited items includes narcotics, gambling devices, nylon fishing nets, raw ivory, counterfeit currency, used tires, radioactive materials, red-beam laser pens, and materials violating religious or public morality standards.

Also banned are paan, betel leaves, and items contaminated by radiation or nuclear dust.

Certain restricted goods, such as live animals, plants, fertilizers, weapons, explosives, fireworks, medical products, alcohol, cosmetics, raw diamonds, and wireless transmitters, require prior approval from relevant UAE authorities, including ministries of Defence, Interior, Health, Environment, and others.

The guidelines are designed to promote compliance and enhance security at the UAE’s ports of entry.

-B