Dubai: Planning your trip to Dubai? Before you begin to pack, it’s important to remember which item goes where and when you may need to declare certain items at Dubai Customs.

Here is all you need to know about baggage and customs rules before you travel.

Check-in vs carry-on luggage: What goes where?

One of the most common questions when packing can often be - where do I keep the laptop and devices? According to the website of Emirates Airlines, laptops, batteries and powerbanks all belong in carry-on luggage and should not be checked in.

If you are carrying drones for photography, though, those go in the check-in baggage and are not allowed in carry-ons.

However, it is important to remember that every country may have their own safety regulations for carrying drones, which you should check before planning your trip.

Baggage tips

While packing your carry-on and check-in luggage, Emirates also shares the following tips that you should keep in mind:

Battery basics

Power banks belong in your hand luggage.

Liquids, aerosols & gels

Any liquid aerosol or gel in carry-on luggage must not exceed 100ml, and the total can't exceed one litre. Exemptions apply for medication, baby milk or foods and special dietary requirements.

Luggage tags

If you still have luggage tags from your previous international trips, make sure you take them off, as they can confuse scanners and slow things down.

Secure all straps

Any loose straps can easily tangle at conveyor belts, so make sure you neatly secure all bags.

Shape matters

Overstuffed or oddly shaped bags are harder to handle and more likely to get delayed. A compact, structured bag moves through the system smoothly and safely.

Bringing medication into the UAE

If you’re carrying controlled medication into the UAE, you must apply for approval through the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) website.

You must also carry the prescription for the quantity of the medicine that you are bringing into the UAE, with a maximum prescription for three months.

You can find out more about how to apply for the free permit here.

How much cash can I carry?

According to Dubai Customs, passengers are permitted to carry gifts whose value does not exceed AED3,000.

When do I have to declare items at customs?

According to Dubai Customs, some of the items that need to be declared are:

  • Items such as medicines, drones or satellite phones.
  • Items such as plants, seeds, insects or meats, animals, animal/wildlife.
  • Goods of commercial value, samples, advertisements that are not considered personal effects.
  • Cash, foreign currencies and traveller's cheques totaling or equivalent to AED 60,000 or more.
  • Any jewellery, gold, silver and other precious metals.
  • Gifts whose value exceed AED 3000.

You can complete your customs declaration online, before your flight, by using the iDeclare platform by Dubai Customs.