UAE-India travel: Indian Embassy lists banned items, medicines and customs rules

Dubai: Indian nationals travelling to the UAE have been urged to check their luggage carefully for prohibited food items, medicines and other restricted goods before flying, following a public advisory issued by the Embassy of India in the UAE.

The advisory, dated October 26, 2026, was issued by the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General of India in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

It warns that products freely available or legally sold in India may be prohibited, restricted or controlled under UAE law. The rules apply to Indian nationals travelling to or living in the UAE, including transit passengers.

Carrying such items, even unknowingly and in small quantities, could result in confiscation, heavy fines, detention, deportation and, in serious cases, criminal prosecution.

Which Indian food items are banned in the UAE?

The Embassy has highlighted several food and tobacco-related products that travellers must not bring into the UAE.

These include:

• Poppy seeds (khus-khus)

• Qat (khat) leaves

• Betel leaves (paan) and betel nuts (supari)

• Niswar, a smokeless tobacco or snuff product

• Gutkha and similar chewing tobacco products

Travellers are advised not to pack these items in either checked-in or hand baggage.

Carrying medicines to the UAE: What travellers need to know

The UAE has strict regulations governing medicines containing narcotic, psychotropic and other controlled substances.

Certain sleeping pills, strong painkillers and psychiatric medicines may fall under controlled or semi-controlled categories.

Indian travellers carrying such medication should:

• Check whether their medicine appears on the controlled and semi-controlled medicines list published by the Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE).

• Obtain an official Import Permit for Personal Use of Medicine before travelling, where required.

• Carry a valid prescription or detailed medical report.

• Ensure the quantity carried does not exceed the permitted limit.

How to apply for a UAE medicine import permit

Travellers carrying controlled or narcotic medicines are advised to apply for an import permit through the Emirates Drug Establishment's online portal at www.ede.gov.ae.

The application process involves:

1. Logging in using a digital identity.

2. Completing the online application form.

3. Uploading a prescription or detailed medical report.

According to the advisory, processing generally takes about one working day and the service is free of charge.

For assistance, travellers can contact the Emirates Drug Establishment through:

• Helpline: 800-33784

• Email: info@ede.gov.ae

• Website: www.ede.gov.ae

The Embassy warns that carrying controlled or narcotic medicines without the required prescription or permit, or in quantities above the permitted limit, can be treated as a serious criminal offence under UAE law.

Possible consequences include confiscation, arrest, prosecution and imprisonment, even if the medicine was legally prescribed in India.

Other prohibited items travellers must avoid

The advisory also lists goods that are completely banned from entering the UAE.

These include:

• Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances of all kinds

• Counterfeit currency and pirated goods

• Gambling tools, machines and devices

• Three-layer nylon fishing nets

• Items associated with black magic, witchcraft or sorcery

• Hazardous or radioactive-contaminated materials

Travellers should check their belongings carefully to ensure these items are not packed.

Which items require prior approval in the UAE?

Some products are not completely banned but can only be brought into the country after obtaining approval from the relevant UAE authorities.

The restricted categories include:

• Weapons, ammunition, explosives and fireworks

• Live animals, plants, seeds, fertilisers and pesticides

• Pharmaceuticals, medicines and medical equipment

• Publications, recorded media and broadcasting devices

• Wireless transmitters, communication and GPS equipment

• Alcoholic beverages

• E-cigarettes and electronic hookahs

• Vehicle tyres

• Cosmetics and certain electrical appliances

• Nuclear and radioactive materials

• Rough diamonds

The Embassy advises travellers to check the relevant approval requirements before packing these items.

Carrying more than Dh60,000? Declare it at UAE Customs

Travellers entering or leaving the UAE with cash and certain valuables exceeding a specified threshold must make a customs declaration.

A declaration is required when the combined value of the following exceeds Dh60,000, or its equivalent in other currencies:

• Cash

• Financial instruments, including bearer cheques

• Precious metals

• Precious stones

Travellers must declare these items to UAE Customs authorities at the port of entry or exit.

Indian Embassy's travel advice: Check your luggage before flying

The Embassy has urged Indian nationals travelling to or residing in the UAE to take precautions before departure.

Its key recommendations include:

• Check your baggage: Ensure you are not carrying prohibited, restricted or controlled goods without the necessary authorisation.

• Do not carry someone else's luggage: Avoid accepting bags or packages from other travellers unless you know exactly what they contain.

• Check medicine requirements: Obtain the required permit and carry supporting medical documents if travelling with controlled medication.

• Consult official sources: Check the latest lists of prohibited and restricted goods and controlled medicines before travelling.

For the latest information, travellers should consult the official websites of the Federal Customs Authority, Dubai Customs, Abu Dhabi Customs and the Emirates Drug Establishment.

What Indian travellers should remember

The Embassy's advisory highlights the importance of checking UAE import regulations before packing, particularly when carrying food products, traditional Indian medicines and prescription drugs.

Items that are legal or commonly available in India may fall under different classifications in the UAE. Travellers should therefore verify the rules, obtain any necessary permits and avoid carrying unknown packages on behalf of others to prevent problems at the airport.