What you cannot carry through UAE airports
Several everyday items are banned from hand luggage at UAE airports, and a few are banned outright anywhere in the country. Security can confiscate them at the checkpoint, and some can lead to legal trouble. Airline rules can be stricter than the airport’s, so check yours before you pack.
Quick check: cabin bag or checked bag
| Item | Hand luggage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Knives, scissors, grooming tools | Blades over 6cm banned | Parts longer than 6cm can be confiscated |
| Tools (hammer, drill, screwdriver, nails) | Banned | Pack in checked luggage if the airline allows |
| Liquids | 100ml per container, one litre in total (up to 10 containers) | Medicine, special dietary needs and baby milk are exempt |
| Lighters | One only | More than one is controlled |
| Power bank | One under 100Wh on Emirates | Not allowed in checked luggage, cannot be used in flight on Emirates |
| Medication | Allowed | Carry the prescription; metal medical devices may need a doctor’s certificate |
| Toy guns and replica weapons | Banned | Anything that could be mistaken for a weapon |
Banned from hand luggage
- Sharp items: knives and blades longer than 6cm, scissors with blades over 6cm, swords, box cutters, ice picks and straight razors.
- Tools: hammers, nails, drills and screwdrivers.
- Sports gear: bats, skateboards and fishing rods.
- Replica weapons: toy guns, bows, arrows and darts, or anything that could be mistaken for a weapon.
- Liquids over 100ml: each container must be 100ml or less and all liquids must fit within one litre in total (up to 10 containers). Medicine, special dietary needs and baby milk are exempt.
Banned or tightly controlled everywhere
- Firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks and firecrackers.
- Flammable liquids, compressed gas and fire extinguishers, and more than one lighter.
- Narcotic drugs. Poppy seeds are also on the UAE’s prohibited list, even as a cooking ingredient.
- Gambling machines and radioactive substances.
Power banks and powder
Emirates allows one power bank under 100Wh in the cabin, which cannot be used in flight or charged from the aircraft. Power banks are not allowed in checked luggage. Spare lithium batteries go in hand luggage only. Avoid packing powder-like substances in hand luggage, and ask your airline or Dubai Customs if you are unsure.
For the full list of prohibited and restricted goods, check Dubai Customs and your airline’s dangerous goods policy before you travel. Drones need approval from the General Civil Aviation Authority.
Packing checklist before you leave for the airport
- Empty your cabin bag and check every tool, blade and grooming item against the 6cm limit.
- Put liquids in containers of 100ml or less inside one clear bag.
- Move power banks and spare batteries to the cabin bag, and check your airline’s wattage limit.
- Keep medicine in its original packaging with the prescription.
- Check food and spices, including poppy seeds, against the UAE prohibited list.
Changing planes in the UAE rather than entering the country? Our transit visa guide explains the 48 and 96-hour options.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I carry a banned item by mistake?
Security can confiscate items at the checkpoint, and some prohibited goods can lead to legal trouble.
Can I bring medicine in my hand luggage?
Yes, medicine is exempt from the liquids limit. Carry the prescription with you.
What are the liquid rules at Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports?
Containers of 100ml or less, with all liquids fitting within one litre in total. Medicine, special dietary needs and baby milk are exempt.
Where to go next
Related guides
- Who Cannot Use Dubai Smart Gates: Under-15 and 1.2 Metre Rules
- UAE Transit Visa: 48 or 96 Hours, Fees and How to Apply
- Etihad Rail Prohibited Items: Full List and Baggage Rules
- iDeclare Dubai: How to Declare Cash and Goods Before You Land
- Red Carpet Smart Tunnel at DXB: Enrolment, Eligibility and the 3.4-Second Check
