Can I send alcohol or tobacco to the United Arab Emirates?
Not allowed
No.
Alcohol pays 50% duty and cigarettes 100% in Dubai, with no courier exemption. Couriers generally refuse them. Travelers' allowances don't apply to shipments.
For every Onvoyo box: Onvoyo and most express couriers don't carry alcohol, tobacco or vaping products in personal boxes, whatever the destination allows.
More rules for the United Arab Emirates
Allowed with conditions
- Alcohol
- Dubai charges 50% duty, and alcohol never qualifies for the e-commerce duty exemption. Many couriers refuse it. Leave it out.
- Tobacco, e-cigarettes, and nicotine liquids
- Cigarettes pay 100% duty in Dubai, and none of these products qualifies for the e-commerce duty exemption. Couriers often refuse them.
Quantity limits
- Online purchases (Dubai)
- Goods bought online worth up to AED 1,000 (about $272): no customs duty, except tobacco, e-cigarettes, nicotine liquids, and alcohol. VAT at 5% still applies. Does not cover gifts or your own belongings.
- Tobacco (travelers only)
- 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 500 g of tobacco per traveler, and none for anyone under 18. Does not apply to shipments.
- Alcohol (travelers only)
- Up to 4 liters of alcoholic drinks or 2 cartons of beer (24 cans of up to 355 ml each), and none for anyone under 18. Does not apply to shipments.
Before you ship to the United Arab Emirates
- Tax-free limit
- Dubai exempts cross-border e-commerce purchases worth up to AED 1,000 (about $272) from customs duty since August 3, 2026, up from AED 300. The rule covers goods bought online and handled by companies registered with Dubai Customs. Tobacco, e-cigarettes, nicotine liquids, alcohol, and food containing alcohol are excluded. No official low-value exemption is published for gifts or your own belongings, and the VAT rules set no low-value exemption for imports, so a small personal box can still owe 5% VAT and possibly 5% duty.
- Receiver ID
- Emirates ID or passport needed. GCC customs procedures ask individuals importing for personal use to show a national ID, passport, or residence visa. Give the courier the receiver's Emirates ID details or a passport copy before the box ships. No tax number is needed for a personal shipment, but a UAE mobile number is essential for delivery.
- Transit
- 2-4 business days from Europe, Asia, or the Gulf; 3-5 from North America
Questions
Can I send alcohol or tobacco to the United Arab Emirates?
No. Alcohol pays 50% duty and cigarettes 100% in Dubai, with no courier exemption. Couriers generally refuse them. Travelers' allowances don't apply to shipments.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
- 2.
Emirates Drug Establishment
Issue of Permit to Import Medicines for Personal Use (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE)
Import an agricultural consignment (opens in a new tab) - 4.
The Official Portal of the UAE Government (u.ae)
Customs duty and tariff (opens in a new tab) - 5.
UAE Ministry of Culture
Federal Law No.11 of 2017, on Antiquities (opens in a new tab) - 6.
- 7.
Dubai Customs
Clearance of Personal Effects (opens in a new tab) - 8.
- 9.
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in the United Arab Emirates makes the final decision on every box.