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Import/Export

United States to United Arab Emirates

Country or Territory Regulations Topics:

Commodity Specific Stipulations

There are special stipulations on the following commodities when shipping to United Arab Emirates. If you plan to ship one of the commodities listed below, be sure to adhere to the following stipulations in order to avoid delays and holds at customs.

Shipments of Antennas,GPS and related equipment will be automatically RTSd at the shippers expense,if not cleared within 30 days of arrival.
Cosmetics are regulated by the local municipality authorities in the United Arab Emirates,and approval needs to be obtained before clearance of any cosmetic items.

Shipments of Cosmetics not cleared within 30 days of arrival,will automatically be RTSd at the shippers expense.

Shipments of films (promotion, training, commercial ) are subject to censorship and will require an approval from the ministry of information prior to clearance.
All food items imported into UAE require approval from Dubai Municipality before being released.Importers must submit customs documents and samples of the the food items along with the invoices and all other relevant documentation to the Dubai Municipality for approval. The required customs documents will be supplied to the importer by UPS.

UAE does not have a temperature controlled facility, therefore food items that require a temperature controlled storage can not be accepted.

Shipments of Food not cleared within 30 days of arrival,will automatically be RTSd at the shippers expense.

Shipments of Herbal Medicine not cleared within 30 days of arrival,will automatically be RTSd at the shippers expense. Herbal medication must mention all the composition.
Data shipments to United Arab Emirates require an invoice with the value of the CD-ROM or disk only.
Shipments of magazines are subject to National Information Office approval.
Shipments of Medical Items not cleared within 30 days of arrival,will automatically be RTSd at the shippers expense.
Personal imports - The shipper must attach a medical report/ prescription from the doctor at origin or UAE. All shipments containing medication are inspected by Ministry of Health officials prior to release. To avoid clearance delays and rejection by Ministry of Health upon arrival the consignee must apply for the online permit using this link https://www.mohap.gov.ae/en/services/issuing-permission-to-import-medicines-for-personal-use

Companies are required to obtain an Import Permit from the Ministry of Health in order to clear commercial quantities. Customs does not permit the disposal of medication in the UAE. If the consignee is unable to obtain the clearance approval or refuses to accept the shipment, then shipper will be responsible for the RTS of the shipment. Customs charges apply for the preparation of RTS paperwork and will be assessed to the shipper. UAE does not have a temperature controlled facility therefore medicine that require same should not be accepted. However small quantities can be refrigerated.(under 5kg.)

Shipments of military equipment requie approval from the Ministry of Defense. An Import License is also required.

Shipments of Military Equipment not cleared within 30 days of arrival,will automatically be RTSd at the shippers expense.

Shipments of parts require an invoice that includes a complete description of the part, the parts components, and the machine that will use the part.
Customers must use an authorized UPS / MBE (Mail Boxes Etc) Store, UPS Customer Center or ISC Approved Shipper to ship personal effects.

The UPS Store, Mail Boxes Etc, UPS Customer Center or ISC approved shipper will be required to identify personal effect shipments on the shipping label by placing "Personal Effects" in the Reference Field of a UPS "smart" label or in the Special Instructions Field of a UPS waybill. They must also clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' shipment on the Commercial Invoice.

Personal Effects are classified as used items (owned for a minimum of 6 months) intended for the consignee's personal use. Any items intended for any other use, such as wholesale or retail sales, business purposes, or for distribution are not considered personal effects and cannot be shipped on this basis. "Personal Effects" must be clearly stated on the invoice and goods description.

All of the following documents must be scanned into DIS/SIR and originals on the package:

An inventory list with estimated values with the reason for importation (holidays, move, relocation) A confirmation that the goods are older than 6 months and that they are intended for personal use only A photocopy of passport or ID card Any items intended for any other use, such as wholesale or retail sales, business purposes, or for distribution are not considered personal effects and cannot be shipped on this basis.

Excisable goods (for example, perfume, alcoholic drinks, tobacco), medicine and perishable food can not be cleared as personal effects.

Personal effects shipments are not allowed in combination with Return Services.

Shipments of tapes (audio, video, and magnetic) require Ministry of Information approval prior to clearance.
Shipments of Telecommunications Equipment need to be approved by the local TRA authorities before release.

Shipments which are not cleared within 30 days from arrival will be automatically RTSd and charged to the shipper.

Shipments of telephone equipment, telephones, and cellular phones require an Import Permit from the local Telecommunications Authority.
Data shipments require an invoice with the character of the USB stick (storing intercompany data) and the value of the USB Stick.
All veterinary medication will be forwarded to the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) for approval.For release ,the customer is required to submit the original stamped invoice,original stamped packing list, along with the Certificate of Origin, and airwaybill copy to be submitted to MOEW for the permit.

Shipments which are not cleared within 30 days from arrival will be automatically RTSd and charged to the shipper.

Personal imports - The shipper must attach a medical report/ prescription from the doctor at origin or UAE. All shipments containing medication are inspected by Ministry of Health officials prior to release. To avoid clearance delays and rejection by Ministry of Health upon arrival the consignee must apply for the online permit using this link https://www.mohap.gov.ae/en/services/issuing-permission-to-import-medicines-for-personal-use

Companies are required to obtain an Import Permit from the Ministry of Health in order to clear commercial quantities. Customs does not permit the disposal of medication in the UAE. If the consignee is unable to obtain the clearance approval or refuses to accept the shipment, then shipper will be responsible for the RTS of the shipment. Customs charges apply for the preparation of RTS paperwork and will be assessed to the shipper. UAE does not have a temperature controlled facility therefore medicine that require same should not be accepted. However small quantities can be refrigerated.(under 5kg.)

Prohibited or Restricted Commodities

The import of balloons and light aircraft may require special clearance approval.The importation of aircraft parts,accessories and materials are restricted to airlines/flight academies.
Personal or individual importers are permitted to import alcoholic beverages (maximum of 2 bottles) only if they are capable of providing an import permit issued by Dubai Police/CID. Shipments without alcohol import permits will be returned to the origin at the shippers expense.

Religious books are prohibited. Shipments containing books will be dutiable if the value exceeds AED 1000 or US$270.00. However, if the shipment contains educational books the duty exemption may apply after approval from the National Information Office.
On line approval needs to be obtained for Chemicals from Dubai Municipality in case the shipment is detained for approval.

Consignee will require the MSDS for this purpose.

Shipments which are not cleared within 15 days from arrival will be automatically RTSd and charged to the shipper.

Electronic Cigarettes are prohibited.
Fireworks are prohibited.
Gambling devices are prohibited.
All shipments containing precious metal or stones in jewelry form must comply with the following

  • Shipments cleared by consignee or other agent need an original invoice under shipper's letter head with the company stamp. If this cannot be provided, the consignee has to pay a deposit of AED 1000 ($US 280.00) which can be refunded when the original purchase receipt is submitted by them. Online declarations can be processed using IDIS invoice if shipment is cleared by UPS.
  • Shipment invoice must state the item along with the value/weight/carats Example : Description - 1 pair diamond earrings Value - US$ 2,000.00, Gold Weight - 10grams Diamonds - Carats of the diamonds. If the shipment contains gold/silver/platinum jewelry, the weight in grams must be mentioned
  • The consignee needs to submit their passport copy with the visa page

  • Jewelry shipments, generally subject to a $500 value limit, are now approved to move between these designated countries or territories up to a value of $2,500 USD per package without an International High Value Waiver (IHVW).

    Jewelry for which the retail price is lower than US$150.00 per item and which do not contain precious metal(s) and/or stone(s) are considered costume jewelry and can be shipped only up to this value from the origin country or territory.

Except kitchen knives
Shipments of Lithium Metal Batteries are prohibited on Emirates Airlines flights which UPS uses to this destination country or territory.

Alternative arrangements are in place, but expect transit delays if the normal planned flow of the package is via Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Time in Transit may be extended due to solution found.

Pork products are subject to municipality approval.
Adult toys for pleasure,Movies or pornographic material is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates

Products originating or destined to Iran are prohibited in our service due to a current embargo.
Swords are Prohibited.
Tobacco Products are prohibited.

NOTE: Information provided by UPS is provided AS IS, may not be current, and does not constitute legal advice. In no event shall UPS be liable for any errors in the information, forms or features made available by UPS, or by any third party site linked to from UPS. Selection and completion of proper forms for any given shipment is the sole responsibility of the shipper. All shipments are subject to the UPS Terms and Conditions of Service in effect at the time of shipping for the country or territory of origin.
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