Dubai International Airport (DXB) is one of the busiest international airports in the world. In the year 2024, it welcomed around 92.3 million passengers. To maintain the safety of such a huge passenger population, it has high security measures in place. And therefore, it becomes important for passengers to know the items that they cannot bring with them when flying to and from Dubai. Having knowledge of Dubai airport banned items and packing your bags accordingly can help you avoid getting into unnecessary trouble and delays at the airport.
These restricted products may pose a risk to civil aviation and are thus not permitted in security–restricted areas or while onboarding aircraft.
In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with all the necessary information related to the items that are prohibited in Dubai International Airport. This will help you with a smooth and hassle-free travel experience.
Note: Dubai Airport’s list of banned items in 2025 might change from time to time, depending on local or global rules. Check the official Dubai Customs website to stay updated on what items are not allowed at the airport.
Products Not Allowed Along with Your Hand Luggage
You can pack things you might need on the flight in your carry-on bag. However, make sure it follows the weight limit and doesn’t include items banned by the airline or restricted under Dubai Airport rules.
Weight and Size Rules: Check that your carry-on isn’t too heavy or too large. Bags over the limit as per Dubai airport banned items might result in extra charges or hold-ups.
Restricted Items: The airport bans certain things from being in hand luggage, like:
- Handcuffs
- More than one lighter
- All types of bats
- Walkie-talkie
- All types of martial arts weapons
- All types of ropes
- Packing tape
- All types of measuring tapes
- Electrical cables
- All types of Hammers
- All types of Nails and drills
- Any sharp tools, including screwdrivers
- All types of scissors or blades that are bigger than 6cm
- All types of personal grooming kit items longer than 6cm
- Sharp objects or swords
- All types of laser guns
- All types of flare guns, ammunition & firearms
Rules & Regulations for Carrying Liquid Products
Dubai Airport enforces rules on carrying liquids, aerosols, and gels in hand luggage. Passengers leaving the airport must follow these rules to comply with global safety guidelines.
Quantity Limits: Each liquid item has to be in containers no bigger than 100 ml, and all liquids combined need to fit within a one-liter limit.
Packaging: Pack your liquids in clear sealable plastic bags. This helps with security checks and avoids leaks.
Exceptions: Exceptions include medications specific to diet needs, and baby milk, which these rules do not cover. You can also pack as many liquids as you want in checked baggage, provided they are sealed tightly to avoid leaks. Using clear, resealable plastic bags can make traveling with liquids much easier. It is also wise to have the proper paperwork ready for these items.
Rules & Regulations for Carrying Baggage
Knowing the baggage rules is important when you travel to Dubai. Here are a few key points to keep in mind:
- Your bags need to have at least one flat side.
- Avoid attaching long straps to your bags.
- Irregular or round-shaped parcels are not allowed.
If your bags or parcels don’t meet these rules, or if you carry Dubai airport banned items in your bags, the check-in counter won’t accept them. It’s best to use something like a flat-bottomed handbag, a box that’s sealed, or a rectangular suitcase. There are also other rules about bags and luggage in Dubai that travelers should pay attention to:
- You can take a maximum of two pieces of luggage on international trips.
- The total weight of your luggage must stay under 32 kg. This limit can differ depending on the fare type or the airline. You can buy extra weight if you need to carry more bags.
- Your check-in bag must not be longer than 90cm, wider than 60cm, or taller than 75cm.
- Bags that don’t meet the size rules will be treated as oversized, and extra fees will apply.
Dangerous Goods Not Allowed in Dubai International Airport
When travelling to Dubai, it’s essential to be aware of the dangerous goods that are restricted or come under Dubai airport banned items. These items pose a risk to safety and security and must be handled with care.
Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages should not exceed 4 litres for spirits or 2 cartons of beer, each consisting of 24 cans not exceeding 355 ml in each can.
1. Batteries and Battery-Powered Devices
Spare or loose batteries for portable electronic devices, including lithium metal or lithium-ion cells or batteries, must be transported in carry-on baggage only.
Lithium Batteries, spare or loose, for consumer electronic devices with a Watt-hour rating exceeding 100 watt-hours but less than 160 watt-hours need prior approval from airlines.
Drones are permitted solely in checked baggage and must receive authorization from the GCAA.
Passengers may carry a maximum of 15 personal electronic devices, which encompass medical and consumer electronics containing lithium batteries, in both carry-on and checked baggage.
- Adhering to the size and weight restrictions for cabin baggage.
- This includes e-cigars, e-pipes, Electric Portable Incense (Perfume) Burners, or other personal vaporizers.
2. Battery-Powered Mobility Devices
| Product | Permission Status |
| Battery-powered wheelchairs | Require approval |
| Mobility devices with spillable batteries or lithium batteries | Require approval |
| Battery-powered mobility aids with lithium-ion batteries | Require approval |
| Hoverboards | Not Allowed |
| Mini-Segways and smart or self-balancing wheels | Not Allowed |
3. Gas Cylinders and Aerosols
You need approval before traveling with an avalanche rescue backpack that has a compressed gas cartridge.
Hair curlers that utilize hydrocarbon gas are permitted in both carry-on luggage and checked bags.
Aerosols that are non-toxic and non-flammable are allowed in checked luggage. However, the total weight must stay under two kilograms, and no single item can weigh over 0.5 kilograms or hold more than half a liter.
4. Fuel and Fuel Cartridges
Camping stoves and empty fuel containers require approval if they hold flammable liquids.
You can carry fuel cells for portable electronic devices in your carry-on bag.
Fuel cell cartridges for electronics, including spare ones, can be packed in both checked luggage and carry-on bags.
Medical Products
| Product | Permission Status |
| Refrigerated Liquid Nitrogen | Go With Hand luggage & Checked Bags |
| Oxygen or air, Gaseous, Cylinders | Required approval |
| Radio isotopic Cardiac Pacemakers | Go With Hand luggage & Checked Bags |
| Thermometer, Medical or Clinical | Only in Checked Bags |
5. Powdered Substances
- Travelers going to the US, Australia, or New Zealand cannot take powder-like materials in their carry-on bags if the containers hold 350 ml or more. These must be packed in checked luggage.
- Powders below 350 ml may go through extra checks.
- Baby formula, prescription drugs, and human ashes don’t fall under these rules. Powders purchased from airport duty-free stores should be in tamper-proof bags that are sealed and include proof of purchase.
Items That Need Permission
Some goods may need special approval or permits to be brought into Dubai. Below is a list of regulated items at Dubai Airport and the authorities managing them.
- Permits from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment are needed to import insecticides, fertilizers, and live animals.
- The Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces issue permits for fireworks, explosives, firearms, and ammunition.
- You need a permit from the Ministry of Health and Prevention to bring in medicines, pharmaceuticals, or emergency aid.
- Telecommunications and digital equipment require approval from the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority.
- The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology handles permits for beauty products and personal care items. They also oversee permits for e-cigarettes and electronic hookahs.
To make trips to or from Dubai’s airports easier, you can keep these tips in mind to avoid a lot of stress:
General Advice on Traveling to and from Dubai
Travel Insurance: Buying travel insurance is a smart choice. It helps in situations like flight delays, medical issues, or missing luggage.
Personal Belongings: Carry personal items in your hand luggage. This keeps what you need close and minimizes the chances of losing anything important.
Laptop Accessibility: Place your laptop somewhere you can grab it. At security checks, you will need to put it in a separate tray, which speeds things up.
Remove Old Baggage Tags: Take off old baggage tags to prevent system errors or rerouting mistakes. These tags might confuse the baggage handling system.
Skip Cardboard Boxes: Dubai Airport takes longer to clear cardboard boxes since they are handled by hand. It is a good idea to leave them out.
Do Not Take Items from Others: To stay safe, you should not accept things from other passengers. This stops security problems and confusion.
Tag Your Bags: Put your name, address, and contact details on your luggage so it is easier to find if it goes missing.
Arrive Early: Reach the airport before your flight. It gives extra time to finish security checks and avoid rushing at the last minute.
