How much cash can you take to United Arab Emirates?
There is no cap on what you may carry into United Arab Emirates. At AED 100,000 or more you must tell customs, which is free and takes a few minutes. The same figure applies leaving.
Entering United Arab Emirates
AED 100,000
or more — declare it
Leaving United Arab Emirates
AED 100,000
or more — declare it
Applies per person. Each traveller has their own figure. That does not make splitting a large sum across a group to avoid the threshold lawful — several countries treat that as an offence in its own right.
Check your actual route
The figure above is only one end of the trip. Add where you're coming from or going to for both.
Pick both countries to see the rules for each end of your trip.
The rule in United Arab Emirates, in full
Cash (notes and coins in any currency) or bearer negotiable instruments exceeding AED 100,000 (approximately USD 27,225) must be declared when entering or leaving the UAE. Same threshold both directions, per traveller. AED is pegged to USD at 3.6725 AED = 1 USD. Non-declaration may result in confiscation and a fine.
Form: Physical Currency Declaration Form (Federal Customs Authority / Dubai Customs). Get it from the authority at the border or their site — we don't mirror it here, because forms are revised without notice and a stale copy is worse than none.
Federal Customs Authority (FCA) / Dubai Customs / Abu Dhabi Customs Last checked 2026-08-10
Heading to United Arab Emirates? The duty-free allowance page for United Arab Emirates covers what you can bring in without paying duty.