In order to avoid any problems with customs clearance at UAE airports, travellers must apply for import permission before travelling if they intend to bring specified products and items, as well as their pets. To obtain the required permits, you may need to submit an application to a particular municipal or federal authority, depending on the kind of prohibited goods or items you are bringing in. In order to avoid any problems when you arrive in the UAE, it is also advised to apply for the permit a few weeks in advance.
Here is everything you require to know.
1. Cash and personal goods worth more than Dh60,000
In order to avoid having to declare any excess cash or personal items to customs officials at the airport, travellers arriving in the UAE must make sure that the value of their luggage and cash does not surpass Dh60,000.
This includes the value of jewellery, personal possessions, and cash, according to the Federal Authority for Identification, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP). You can use the recently created Afseh portal to complete the declaration form if you’re travelling to or from the airports in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or Ras Al Khaimah.
You can use the “iDeclare” platform if your route is through Dubai’s international airports.
If you meet all the conditions, applying for permission is free, and you may anticipate having it authorised within a day.
2. Controlled medicines and drugs
Visitors and citizens of the UAE must acquire pre-approval from the Ministry of Health and Prevention of the UAE before using banned substances (MOHAP). Narcotic, controlled, and semi-controlled drugs fall under this category. Some medications are not required to have a permit.
3. Pets and domestic animals
International travellers to the UAE can only bring cats and dogs into the country with a licence issued by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE).
Pet owners can get import permission, which is good for usage for 30 days after the date of issuance, according to MoCCAE.
When an animal enters the UAE, the appropriate authorities will inspect it at the entry port and release it provided it complies with all the requirements of the import permit, including having obtained the necessary vaccinations.
Important documents for importing animals and pets into the UAE
Pet owners need to have the following paperwork in order to get a permit:
- A health certificate that has been certified by the country’s veterinary authorities.
- The pet’s vaccination card or passport, which must contain the microchip number, a complete description of the animal (species, colour, gender, and date of birth), and the indicated vaccinations, must adhere to all MoCCAE criteria.
- Certificate of rabies testing; not all animals must have this record.
Also, the requirements may vary depending on the nation from which you are travelling. Thus, it’s crucial to confirm with your airline the policies on pet travel before you depart or call the MoCCAE at their toll-free number, 8003050 if you’re in the UAE or +97124444747 if you’re calling from outside the UAE.
Cost:
Dh200 – Request permission to import cats and dogs, per head
Dh500 – Request to release dogs, per head
Dh250 – Request to release pet cats, per head
4. Vehicles
You must apply for a vehicle clearance certificate from a local customs department in order to import vehicles into the UAE.
You can import both new and old cars, according to the Dubai Customs website, dubaicustoms.gov.ae. If the automobiles are brought into the nation by an individual, the following documentation must be presented:
- A passport copy
- The vehicle’s purchase invoice
The customs inspectors will inspect and assess the imported automobiles, and a five per cent customs tax will be levied on the total assessed value of each vehicle.
The procedures and management of the documentation will differ if you are importing a vehicle through a shipping firm.
In Dubai, you can apply for the clearance certificate from Dubai Customs Service Centres. You can find a list of all their locations here: https://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/AboutDubaiCustoms/Pages/Location.aspx
For Abu Dhabi, you can apply for a clearance certificate through Tamm, the official platform for Abu Dhabi government services, through this link: https://www.tamm.abudhabi/en/life-events/business/ManageyourLicencescertificates/Commerce-Industry/RequestforObtainingaCustomsCertificateforVehiclesandOtherMeansofTransportation
5. Technical equipment
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) may require a licence before certain devices, including communications equipment, listening or recording devices, radio transmitters, and binoculars can be used in the UAE. You can apply for the permit through this link: https://tdra.gov.ae/en/Services/service-card?sID=-OMKG-4DzYzEBlYAAKzrkUp2ezXBwaRZDDpDBex0rKo
