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Security and customs

Departures prohibited items

To ensure the safety and security, Dubai Airports enforces strict regulations on prohibited and restricted items. These items may pose a risk to civil aviation and are not permitted in security-restricted areas or onboard aircraft. While the list provided offers guidance, it is not exhaustive, and additional items may be restricted if deemed dangerous. Please review the guidelines carefully to avoid delays. Where a green tick is shown with 'need approval', this indicates that approval from the airline is also required.
Download prohibited and restricted items Download the list

Provisions for dangerous goods

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Provisions for dangerous goods
Dangerous goodsPilot notification requiredHand luggageCheck-inAirline approval required

Alcoholic beverages, when in retail packaging, containing more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol by volume, in receptacles not exceeding 5 L, with a total net quantity per person of 5 L.

Note: Alcoholic beverages containing 24% or less alcohol by volume are not subject to any restrictions. Refer to local customs for more restrictive limitations.

NoYesYesNo

Ammunition, securely packaged (in Div. 1.4S, UN 0012 or UN 0014 only), in quantities not exceeding 5 kg gross weight per person for that person's own use. Allowances for more than one person must not be combined into one or more packages.

NoNoYesYes

Avalanche rescue backpack, one (1) per person, containing cartridges of compressed gas in Div. 2.2. May also be equipped with a pyrotechnic trigger mechanism containing no more than 200 mg net of Div. 1.4S. The backpack must be packed in such a manner that it cannot be accidentally activated. The airbags within the backpacks must be fitted with pressure relief valves.

NoYesYesYes

Baggage with installed lithium batteries — non-removable batteries exceeding 0.3 g lithium metal or 2.7 Wh.

NoNoNoNo

Baggage with installed lithium batteries.

  • Non-removable batteries: Batteries must contain no more than 0.3 g lithium metal or for lithium-ion must not exceed 2.7 Wh.
  • Removable batteries: Batteries must be removed if baggage is to be checked in. Removed batteries must be carried in the cabin.
NoYesYesNo

Batteries, spare/loose, including lithium batteries, non-spillable batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries and dry batteries for portable electronic devices must be carried in carry-on baggage only. Articles which have the primary purpose as a power source, e.g. power banks, are considered as spare batteries. These batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits.

  • Lithium metal batteries: the lithium metal content must not exceed 2 g.
  • Lithium-ion batteries: the Watt-hour rating must not exceed 100 Wh.
  • Each person is limited to a maximum of 20 spare batteries.
    *The operator may approve the carriage of more than 20 batteries.
  • Non-spillable batteries: must be 12 V or less and 100 Wh or less. Each person is limited to a maximum of two spare batteries.
NoYesNoNo

Camping stoves and fuel containers that have contained a flammable liquid fuel, with empty fuel tank and/or fuel container.

NoNoYesYes

Chemical Agent Monitoring Equipment, when carried by staff members of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on official travel.

NoYesYesYes

Disabling devices, such as mace or pepper spray, containing an irritant or incapacitating substance are forbidden on the person, in checked and carry-on baggage.

NoNoNoNo

Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid), in quantities not exceeding 2.5 kg per person when used to pack perishables not subject to these Regulations in checked or carry-on baggage, provided the baggage (package) permits the release of carbon dioxide gas. Checked baggage must be marked “dry ice” or “carbon dioxide, solid” and with the net weight of dry ice or an indication that there is 2.5 kg or less dry ice.

NoYesYesYes

E-cigarettes (including e-cigars, e-pipes and other personal vaporisers) containing batteries must be individually protected to prevent accidental activation.

NoYesNoNo

Electroshock weapons (e.g. tasers) containing dangerous goods, such as explosives, compressed gases or lithium batteries, are forbidden in carry-on baggage or checked baggage or on the person.

NoNoNoNo

Fuel cells containing fuel, powering portable electronic devices (e.g. cameras, cellular phones, laptop computers and camcorders).

NoYesNoNo

Fuel cell cartridges, spare for portable electronic devices.

NoYesYesNo

Gas cartridges, small, non-flammable containing carbon dioxide or other suitable gas in Division 2.2. Up to two (2) small cartridges fitted into a self-inflating personal safety device, intended to be worn by a person such as a life jacket or vest. Not more than two (2) devices per passenger and up to two (2) spare small cartridges per device. Not more than four (4) cartridges up to 50 ml water capacity for other devices.

NoYesYesYes

Gas cylinders, non-flammable, non-toxic, worn for the operation of mechanical limbs. Also, spare cylinders of a similar size, if required, to ensure an adequate supply for the duration of the journey.

NoYesYesNo

Hair styling equipment containing a hydrocarbon gas cartridge, up to one (1) per passenger or crew-member, provided that the safety cover is securely fitted over the heating element. This hair styling equipment must not be used on board the aircraft. Spare gas cartridges for such hair styling equipment are not permitted in checked or carry-on baggage.

NoYesYesNo

Insulated packaging containing refrigerated liquid nitrogen (dry shipper), fully absorbed in a porous material containing only non-dangerous goods.

NoYesYesNo

Internal combustion or fuel cell engines, must meet A70.

NoNoYesNo

Lithium batteries: Portable electronic devices (PED) containing lithium metal or lithium-ion cells or batteries, including medical devices such as portable oxygen concentrators (POC), and consumer electronics such as cameras, mobile phones, laptops and tablets. For lithium metal batteries, the lithium metal content must not exceed 2 g and for lithium-ion batteries the Watt-hour rating must not exceed 100 Wh. Devices in checked baggage must be completely switched off and must be protected from damage. Each person is limited to a maximum of 15 PED.
*The operator may approve the carriage of more than 15 PED.

NoYesYesNo

Lithium battery-powered electronic devices. Lithium-ion batteries for portable (including medical) electronic devices (PED), a Wh rating exceeding 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh. For portable medical electronic devices (PMED) only, lithium metal batteries with a lithium metal content exceeding 2 g but not exceeding 8 g. Devices in checked baggage must be completely switched off and must be protected from damage.

NoYesYesYes

Lithium batteries, spare/loose with a Watt-hour rating exceeding 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh for consumer electronic devices and PMED or with a lithium metal content exceeding 2 g but not exceeding 8 g for PMED only. Maximum of two spare batteries in carry-on baggage only. These batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits.

NoYesNoYes

Matches, safety (one small packet) or a small cigarette lighter that does not contain unabsorbed liquid fuel, other than liquefied gas, intended for use by an individual when carried on the person. Lighter fuel and lighter refills are not permitted on one's person or in checked or carry-on baggage.

Note: “Strike anywhere” matches, “Blue flame” or “Cigar” lighters or lighters powered by a lithium battery without a safety cap or means of protection against unintentional activation are forbidden.

NoOn one's personOn one's personNo

Mobility aids: Battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with nonspillable wet batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries or dry batteries.

YesNoYesYes

Mobility aids: Battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with spillable batteries or with lithium-ion batteries.

YesNoYesYes

Mobility aids: Battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with lithium-ion batteries where the design of the mobility aid does not provide adequate protection for the battery(ies).

YesYesNoYes

Non-radioactive medicinal or toiletry articles (including aerosols) such as hair sprays, perfumes, colognes and medicines containing alcohol; and non-flammable, non-toxic (Division 2.2) aerosols, with no subsidiary hazard, for sporting or home use. The total net quantity of non-radioactive medicinal or toiletry articles and non-flammable, non-toxic (Division 2.2) aerosols in Division 2.2 must not exceed 2 kg or 2 L and the net quantity of each single article must not exceed 0.5 kg or 0.5 L. Release valves on aerosols must be protected by a cap or other suitable means to prevent inadvertent release of the contents.

NoYesYesNo

Oxygen or air, gaseous, cylinders required for medical use. The cylinder must not exceed 5 kg gross weight.

Note: Liquid oxygen systems are forbidden for transport.

YesYesYesYes

Permeation devices, must meet A41.

NoNoYesNo

Radioisotopic cardiac pacemakers or other devices, including those powered by lithium batteries, implanted into a person or fitted externally.

NoOn one's personOn one's personNo

Security-type equipment.

NoNoYesYes

Security-type attaché cases, cash boxes, cash bags, etc. incorporating dangerous goods, such as lithium batteries and/or pyrotechnic material, except as provided in 2.3.2.6 are totally forbidden. See entry in 4.2–List of Dangerous Goods.

NoNoNoNo

Specimens, non-infectious packed with small quantities of flammable liquid, must meet A180.

NoYesYesNo

Thermometer, medical or clinical, which contains mercury. One (1) per person for personal use, when in its protective case.

NoNoYesNo

Thermometer or barometer, mercury filled, carried by a representative of a government weather bureau or similar official agency.

YesYesNoYes

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