Key points
- Prohibited means refused outright; restricted means released only with the authority's approval.
- Most problems with China cargo come from restricted items: chargers, toys, cosmetics, wireless devices, food and medicines.
- Restricted HS codes need the permit reference at the time of the online customs declaration.
- Some official lists still use old agency names: MOIAT took over ESMA's role and EDE took over from MOHAP.
- Dangerous goods are a separate check: lithium batteries, paints and chemicals need a DG declaration and MSDS.
Prohibited, restricted and dangerous: three different questions
- Cannot be imported, whatever the paperwork.
- Goods are seized and may be destroyed, and the importer can face penalties.
- Examples: narcotics, counterfeit goods, gambling machines, used tyres.
- Can be imported once the competent authority approves.
- The approval must exist before the customs declaration; restricted HS codes ask for the permit online.
- Examples: electrical goods, toys, cosmetics, phones, food, medicines, plants, alcohol.
- A transport safety question, not a customs ban.
- Needs a DG declaration, correct packing and labels, and an MSDS.
- Examples: lithium batteries, paints, aerosols, flammable liquids.
Goods you cannot import into the UAE
| Prohibited item | Practical note | Listed by |
|---|---|---|
| Narcotic and psychotropic drugs | Some medical uses only with approval from the competent authorities | Dubai and Abu Dhabi Customs |
| Counterfeit goods and fake currency | Copies of branded goods are seized | Abu Dhabi Customs; UAE customs rules |
| Gambling tools, machines and devices | Includes machines built for betting | Dubai and Abu Dhabi Customs |
| Nylon fishing nets (three-layer) | Check the net type before ordering | Dubai and Abu Dhabi Customs |
| Used, reconditioned or refurbished tyres | New tyres are restricted, not banned | Dubai and Abu Dhabi Customs |
| Paan, betel leaves and naswar | Often found in mixed food cargo and baggage | Dubai and Abu Dhabi Customs |
| Live swine | Food products follow separate municipality rules | Dubai Customs |
| Radioactive or nuclear-contaminated goods | Radiation sources themselves need FANR approval | Dubai and Abu Dhabi Customs |
| Ozone-depleting substances, asbestos sheets and pipes, hazardous waste | Relevant to refrigerants and some building materials | Abu Dhabi Customs |
| Red laser pens | A frequent issue in small mixed shipments | Abu Dhabi Customs |
| Items contrary to Islamic values or public morals | Covers some publications, images and artworks | Dubai and Abu Dhabi Customs |
| Goods under UN or national sanctions; wildlife products without CITES permits | Screened on every shipment | UAE law and CITES |
Restricted goods and the authority that approves them
| Goods | Authority | What you need before shipping |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical appliances, lighting, chargers, power banks, cables, toys, new tyres, water heaters, AC units, paints, lubricants, bicycles, vehicles | MOIAT (ECAS) | ECAS certificate of conformity and product registration; energy label for listed appliances |
| E-cigarettes, e-shisha and tobacco | MOIAT, plus Federal Tax Authority | Conformity certificate, excise registration, tax stamps where required |
| Mobile phones, routers, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices, radios, GPS devices | TDRA | Type approval registered by the manufacturer or dealer |
| Cosmetics and personal care | Dubai Municipality and MOIAT | Product registration and compliant labels before import |
| Food, beverages, food contact materials | Dubai Municipality; ADAFSA in Abu Dhabi | Product registration, Arabic labels, shelf life, health and halal certificates where needed |
| Medicines, medical devices, supplements | EDE (formerly MOHAP) | Registration and import permit |
| Plants, seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, live animals, veterinary products | MOCCAE | Import permit plus phytosanitary or veterinary certificate |
| Weapons, ammunition, explosives, fireworks | Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence | Full licensing; we do not handle these without it |
| Drones and aviation equipment | GCAA and security approvals | Approval before shipping |
| Radiation sources, X-ray equipment, large transformers | FANR | Licence before import |
| Books, films and media | UAE Media Council | Content approval |
| Alcoholic beverages | Dubai Police (in Dubai) | Licensed importer only |
| Rough diamonds | UAE Kimberley Process Office | Kimberley Process certificate |
| Chemicals usable for chemical weapons | Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation | Approval before shipping |
Official lists change, and some still show older agency names. Dubai Customs' restricted list names the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology, whose role now sits with MOIAT, and the Ministry of Health and Prevention, whose medicine and medical device services moved to the Emirates Drug Establishment in 2024–2025. Abu Dhabi Customs publishes a longer MOIAT list that also covers weighing and lifting equipment, diesel and fuel oils, dolls, balloons and remote-controlled aircraft. Rules differ slightly by emirate, so we check the list of the emirate where you clear.
How to check your product before you ship
- Describe the product exactlySay what it is, what it is made of and what it does. Vague words such as accessories or general goods hide restrictions.
- Fix the HS codeAgree a 6-digit code with the supplier, then let the broker find the UAE 12-digit tariff line, which carries the restriction flags.
- Check the tariff line for permitsRestricted codes require a permit reference on the online declaration. Our broker checks this before the booking.
- Identify the authorityUse the table above: MOIAT, TDRA, the municipality, EDE, MOCCAE or another body.
- Apply in good timeECAS, type approval and food registration can take days or weeks; apply before the supplier ships, not when the container lands.
- Check dangerous goods statusAsk the supplier for an MSDS. Batteries, aerosols, paints and chemicals must be declared as DG.
- Screen for sanctions and counterfeitsConfirm brand authorisation, the parties and the end use. Dual-use items need extra checks.
- Send us the listSend the product list and photos; we confirm approvals and the clearance plan within one working day.
Banned, restricted or standard?
Dangerous goods are a separate question
A product can be legal to import and still be dangerous to carry. Lithium batteries, power banks, paints, perfumes, aerosols and many chemicals are regulated as dangerous goods under the IMDG Code at sea. The shipper must declare them with the UN number and an MSDS, pack and label them correctly, and book them as DG with the shipping line. Some also need Ministry of Interior or MOCCAE approval in the UAE. Undeclared DG can be refused or fined and puts the vessel at risk, so tell us at booking if anything contains batteries or chemicals.
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What happens if goods arrive without approval
If a restricted item arrives without its permit, the declaration is held, usually for inspection with the relevant agency. You may be able to obtain the approval and release the goods, but port storage, demurrage and detention keep running while you wait. If the approval cannot be obtained, the goods are re-exported or destroyed at the importer's cost. Prohibited goods are seized, and false declarations can bring fines and legal action. Dubai Customs' penalty list shows AED 500 for a wrong declaration and AED 500 for a wrong HS code even when no duty is lost. The calculator shows what waiting costs at your line's daily rate.
Free time and daily charges differ by line, port and container type. Use the figures on your booking.
Pre-shipping checklist
Before your supplier loads
0/10Frequently asked questions
What items are prohibited from import into the UAE?
Narcotics, counterfeit goods and fake currency, gambling machines, three-layer nylon fishing nets, used or reconditioned tyres, paan and betel leaves, radioactive-contaminated goods, items against public morals, and goods banned under UAE law or sanctions. Abu Dhabi Customs also lists asbestos sheets, ozone-depleting substances, hazardous waste and red laser pens.
What is the difference between restricted and prohibited goods in the UAE?
Prohibited goods cannot be imported at all. Restricted goods can be imported once the competent authority, such as MOIAT, TDRA, MOCCAE or EDE, has approved them, and the permit is needed for the customs declaration.
Do I need a permit to import electronics from China to Dubai?
Usually yes. Regulated electrical products need MOIAT ECAS conformity, and anything with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or radio needs TDRA type approval. Lithium batteries also need DG handling.
Can I import e-cigarettes into the UAE?
They are restricted, not banned. Abu Dhabi Customs lists e-cigarettes and e-shisha under MOIAT approval, and they carry 100% excise tax, so you need a licensed importer, conformity certificates and excise registration.
Are used tyres allowed into the UAE?
No. Dubai and Abu Dhabi Customs list used, reconditioned and refurbished tyres as prohibited. New tyres can be imported with MOIAT conformity.
How do I check whether my product is restricted before shipping?
Fix the exact description and HS code, have a broker check the UAE 12-digit tariff line for permit requirements, and apply to the named authority before the supplier ships. Our team checks product lists within one working day.
Sources
- Dubai Customs – Prohibited and Restricted Goods
- Abu Dhabi Customs – Restricted and Banned Commodities
- US International Trade Administration – UAE Country Commercial Guide: Prohibited and Restricted Imports
- Dubai Customs – Customs offences (declaration penalties)
- Baker McKenzie – Emirates Drug Establishment replaces MOHAP as federal regulator of medical products
- UAE Government portal – Clearing customs and paying customs duty
- Deloitte – Dubai Customs implements expanded (12-digit) tariff code
General information checked on the date shown. Rules and rates change: our team confirms the details for your shipment.