Restrictions and Prohibited Items for Import and Export in the UAE

The UAE is a major trading hub, attracting businesses across the world to experience the benefits of its favorable tax regulations and strategic spot. However, in order to confirm the nation’s security, safeguard public health, and save the cultural legacy, the UAE has imposed rigorous import and export limits and prohibitions on some commodities.

Transport logistics has several limits due to its loyalty to UAE law. It’s very necessary to follow the right rules for smooth customs clearance services, check global trade compliance, make use of perfect trade compliance services, etc. Let’s find out the restrictions and prohibited items while importing and exporting.

• Import restrictions

The government has imposed several import restrictions. Dangerous chemicals, food and agricultural items, counterfeit goods, and firearms and weapons are among the most crucial import restrictions in the nation. The UAE maintains tight restrictions prohibiting the illegal import of prohibited commodities as well as restricted items.

Controlled or recreational drugs and illicit substances, pirated materials, counterfeit currency, fireworks, electric vehicles from North Korea, objects used for black magic, witchcraft, or sorcery, publications and artworks that conflict with or challenge Islamic beliefs and values, and gambling equipment and machines are some of the prohibited items.

Agricultural products

In order to safeguard the food safety and quality of the nation, the country perfectly supervises the import of agricultural products and foods. Meat and dairy products can only be imported from certified and licensed sources, and all items should be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate. While honey bees, seeds, outside seedlings, and tubers can be imported into the nation, you must first get a license from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

Hashish, poppy straw, cocoa leaf, poppy or poppy seeds (broken or whole), fresh or dry Indian hemp (whether sliced, crushed, or powdered), fresh or dried black poppy (whether chopped, crushed, or powdered), Indian paan (betel) that has been prepared and does not contain tobacco, ivory (raw or simply prepared but uncut, including ivory powder and waste), hemp or hemp seeds (broken or not), and opium extracts with vegetable saps are some of the items prohibited or restricted.

Live animal industry

Import limitations in the nation are crucial in safeguarding the nation’s live animal business, especially given the ban on swine rearing and the possible risks of introducing diseases to their animal population. The nation has imposed some regulations across several categories to govern and control the animals’ importation.

While live pigs are major in these categories, the nation rigorously manages its imports based on weight and breeding status. Importing live pure-bred breeding pigs is subject to strict rules to confirm that only good-quality and genetically superior animals are admitted.

Automotive industry

The nation has made some regulations governing the use of tires in the automotive industry. These limits are planned to improve road safety by restricting the use of tires that may endanger passengers and drivers. It is vital to follow these regulations and use certified tires that meet the safety criteria of the UAE authorities.

Retreaded tires of rubber, of a kind used on buses or lorries, used pneumatic tires of rubber, retreaded tires of rubber, of a kind used on aircraft, retreaded tires of rubber, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons & racing cars), retreaded tires of rubber, other than those used on aircraft, buses, motor cars, and lorries, are the major tires of which import or export is prohibited.

Weapons and firearms

The UAE strictly regulates the import of body protection, weapons, firearms, and related equipment. All of these products need special permission from the Ministry of Interior. Certain types of firearms and weapons, such as automatic weapons and ammunition, are fully prohibited from being imported.

Medications and drugs

When carrying medication from their home countries into the UAE, tourists must exercise caution. Some drugs may contain illegal compounds here, resulting in detention for people carrying them. So, travelers must not only bring the prescription of their doctors but also promise that the quantity of tablets is perfect for the length of their stay. They also need to get a certificate from their respective embassy.

Alcohol and tobacco

You may bring tobacco and alcohol into the country if you are at least 18 years old and meet the following requirements: the total amount of alcoholic beverages, including beer and wine, cannot exceed 4 liters or 2 cartons of beer, the total number of cigarettes and their worth shall not exceed 400 AED, and any cigars in your possession must not be worth more than AED 3,000.

Personal possessions

Personal items of passengers are permitted entrance and are exempt from customs taxes if they meet some criteria: personal luggage, perfumes, and gifts shall not exceed AED 3,000 in total value. The presents and bags should be limited in quantity and not for commercial use. The passenger should not be a regular traveler with goods or a member of the conveyance crew.

Money

Passengers with more than AED 100,000 in cash or equivalent financial instruments must disclose it when entering or departing the UAE. Similarly, a person arriving in or departing from a European Union country with 10,000 euros or more in cash must report to customs officers.

Restricted items in construction building materials and prefabricated buildings

If we talk about building materials and prefabricated buildings, the nation has strong rules in place to guarantee public safety and health. These restrictions are planned to protect employees, communities, and the environment from the potentially detrimental effects of asbestos exposure.

You must follow these restrictions and check for alternative construction materials that meet the safety standards and laws of the nation. The following goods are expressly forbidden: Crocidolite, actinolite, anthophyllite, amosite, tremolite, articles containing asbestos, fabricated asbestos fibers of crocidolite, compressed asbestos fiber jointing (sheets or rolls), friction materials, and articles containing asbestos

Dangerous materials

Aside from restricted building materials, the entry of hazardous materials into the nation is carefully regulated, with special rules in place for commodities such as radioactive, toxic waste, and chemical materials. In order to confirm the safe handling and disposal of these products, all hazardous materials must be perfectly labeled, packaged, and supported by major documents.

The import of some hazardous products is severely limited or prohibited completely. The necessary procedures of customs clearance services, making use of trade compliance services, and duty to global trade compliance are very crucial here.

• Export restrictions

Violators of the Export Control Law may face a fine of up to AED 500,000 (US $140,000) and/or a minimum of one year in prison. Here, we list some of the most crucial export restrictions in the nation:

Dual-purpose items

The nation, without any compromise, regulates the export of dual-use equipment, or items that can be used for both military and civilian objectives. Such exports need a license from the Ministry of Economy and are subject to review by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence. Certain dual-use commodities, such as some materials or chemicals, are fully barred from export.

Tobacco and extracts

The UAE applies export and import restrictions to a wide range of tobacco products and extracts.

Species in peril

The nation carefully regulates the export of endangered species and items derived from such species. The export of such commodities is subject to examination by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and needs a license from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. Certain endangered species, such as reptiles and birds, are fully barred from being exported.

Extra banned items

The UAE has a separate list of prohibited items too. You must be aware of these products to comply with UAE customs requirements. The following is a detailed list of prohibited items: original engravings, statues, lithographs, prints, and sculpture, crude ivory and rhinoceros horn products, radiation-polluted substances, forged and duplicate currency, controlled or recreational drugs and narcotic substances, goods planned to be imported from boycotted or embargo countries, items used in sorcery, witchcraft, or black magic, gambling tools and machinery, used, reconditioned, and inlaid tires, printed publications, pictures, mannequins, magazines, oil paintings, stone sculptures, cards, books, photographs, and artwork, three layers fishing nets, cooked and homemade foods, betel leaves, any other items prohibited by UAE Customs Laws or other laws in the country, pirated content, and exotic, protected, and endangered animals and certain breeds of dogs.