Dubai Customs has warned travellers entering the UAE that carrying large quantities of medication, even for personal use, may lead to additional baggage inspections, confiscation of the medicine and, if regulations are breached, legal action. The authority urged travellers to confirm before departure that their medicines are permitted and to carry only quantities appropriate to their medical needs and length of stay.

In an advisory published on social media, Dubai Customs reminded travellers that bringing medicines into the UAE is subject to specific regulations and that some medications require a customs declaration in addition to medical documentation.

According to the warning, travellers should check before departure whether their required medication is on the UAE’s controlled medicines list and whether a prescription, medical report or permit is needed to bring it into the country.

Why can carrying large quantities of medication cause problems?

According to Dubai Customs, travellers should not carry medicines in bulk without considering the length of their stay and their medical needs.

Even when medication is intended for personal use, carrying unusually large quantities may raise questions about the purpose for which it is being brought into the country.

In such cases, customs officers may examine the type and quantity of medication and the traveller’s medical documents.

Dubai Customs warns in its official guidance that carrying medication in bulk may result in the items being confiscated and, where regulations have been breached, criminal proceedings.

However, simply carrying medication, or being subject to additional checks, does not in itself constitute an offence. Any legal consequences depend on the type and quantity of medication and whether the relevant regulations have been followed.

Which medicines are restricted when entering the UAE?

The UAE distinguishes between medicines without specific restrictions, prescription medicines, and controlled narcotic and psychotropic medicines.

Some medicines may be brought into the country for personal use subject to general requirements, while controlled medicines are subject to additional conditions.

Under guidance issued by the Emirates Drug Establishment, arriving travellers may carry a maximum quantity of controlled narcotic and psychotropic medicines equivalent to the patient’s medical needs for three months.

Travellers must also carry valid medical documents supporting their use of the medication.

One of the establishment’s official guides also states that prescription-only medicines may be carried in quantities equivalent to a patient’s needs for up to six months. However, Dubai Customs’ general guidance refers to a three-month limit for medicines intended for personal use.

Travellers planning to carry medication for longer than three months should therefore check the requirements for their specific medicine with the Emirates Drug Establishment and customs authorities at their port of entry before travelling.

Do controlled medicines require prior approval?

The Emirates Drug Establishment says arriving travellers may apply before departure for an electronic permit to carry controlled narcotic and psychotropic medicines.

According to the establishment’s official guidance, applying for an electronic permit before travel is optional for arriving passengers under the stated conditions.

However, the optional nature of this service does not mean controlled medicines may be brought into the country without restrictions.

Under the official guidance, travellers who have not obtained prior approval must declare any controlled medicines to customs officers upon arrival and present the required medical documents.

These documents must confirm the medical need for the medicine and include information such as the patient’s name, the medicine’s name, the prescribed quantity and dosage, and the duration of treatment.

For an electronic permit application, the prescription must have been issued within the previous three months, while the medical report must have been issued within the previous year and authenticated in accordance with the relevant healthcare authority’s requirements.

Travellers should therefore not confuse the optional online permit application with an exemption from customs declarations or the requirement to carry medical documents.

How can travellers declare medicines at Dubai airport?

According to Gulf News, Dubai Customs has urged travellers to declare medicines and other items that are subject to customs declaration requirements upon arrival.

One way to do this is through the iDeclare app.

The app allows travellers to enter details of the items they are carrying before arriving at the airport or after arrival during customs procedures.

Dubai Customs has warned that failure to declare regulated items may lead to delays in entry procedures, fines or legal action.

However, submitting a declaration through iDeclare does not replace medical documents or any other permits required to bring restricted medicines into the country.

What should travellers do before travelling to Dubai?

The Emirates Drug Establishment advises travellers to check their medicines against the official list of controlled medicines before departure.

Travellers should pay particular attention to the medicine’s active ingredient, as the same medication may be sold under different brand names in different countries.

According to Dubai Customs guidance, medicines should be carried in their original packaging with the expiry date clearly visible to make identification and inspection easier.

People taking prescription or controlled medicines should also have valid medical documents appropriate to the type and quantity of medication they are carrying.

Travellers should not assume that a medicine sold without a prescription in their country of departure can necessarily be brought into the UAE without restrictions.

Anyone uncertain about the status of a medicine can consult the Emirates Drug Establishment’s official website or contact Dubai Customs for guidance.

The warning does not introduce a new ban on carrying medicines for personal use. Instead, it reminds travellers to check the quantity of medication they are carrying, its legal status and the required documents before entering the UAE.