What Can I Send to the UAE?
The booming population and wealth of the United Arab Emirates means that they are quickly becoming an incredibly popular destination for sending parcels. Thanks to the rise of courier companies such as DHHL, UPS and EasyDrop air express, sending a parcel to the UAE doesn’t need to be a risky, complicated, or expensive endeavour. By booking your parcel to the United Arab Emirates with Worldwide Parcel Services, you can benefit from prices as low as £38.73, and have your parcel delivered in as little as 2 days.
However, if you are planning to send a parcel to the UAE, it is worth remembering that they are strict on what is and isn’t allowed through their borders. Read on to find out what you can and can’t send to the United Arab Emirates.
Sending a Parcel to the UAE
The ever-increasing population of the UAE and their booming economy means that more and more individuals and businesses are looking to send parcels to the United Arab Emirates.
If you are looking to send a parcel to the UAE, it is crucial that you take the time to ensure that your goods can be sent, and that you take precautions to ensure that your goods arrive at their destination without damage or getting held up at the border.
Before sending your parcel to the UAE, you should:
- Be aware that the recipient may have to pay customs duties/taxes depending on the type and value of the items sent
- Some items have a restricted amount that can be sent, make sure you do your research to stop your goods being stopped by customs
- Take care completing customs documentation to ensure it is accurate
- Pack your parcel well using strong boxes and bubble wrap to keep your items safe during their journey
What Can I Send in a Parcel to the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is increasing in popularity for parcels thanks to increasing numbers of expats, holiday makers and businesses expanding into the region. Before getting started with your parcel to the UAE, you should be aware that there are many items that you can send but may be subject to restrictions or inspections from customs. You can find out more about the UAE’s customs here.
Just like sending parcels in the UK, you can easily send parcels to the UAE can be done with ease, and you can send many everyday items without issue.
See below a list of items that you CAN send to the United Arab Emirates:
- Clothing
- Mail and personal pictures
- Music instruments
You can also send some food products and medication with a permit from the relevant customs office. Printed materials and media (including but not limited to books, music and movies) will be inspected on import and rejected if the government agency believes they are against the nation’s values.
UAE Prohibited Items
The government and postal service of the United Arab Emirates prohibit the import and export of certain goods to and from the UAE. Some of these goods can be imported with a valid license, however many are subject to absolute prohibition and cannot be imported under any circumstances.
It is also worth remembering that medication cannot be sent without approval by the Ministry of Health. Items such as food, CDs and tapes and mobile phones can also only be imported with a permit from the relevant customs team.
Sending prohibited items will not only hold the parcel up in customs and risk the goods being seized, but it also carries the risk of potential fines or imprisonment. It is the sole responsibility of the sender of the parcel to ensure that the goods they are sending to the UAE does not contain any prohibited items. You can find out more about prohibited goods and the UAE customs here.
What Can I Not Send to the UAE?
The government and customs bodies of the UAE are very careful over what is and isn’t allowed into their country, not only to protect their residents and environment, but to also limit any goods that go against the country’s values.
As an example, printed materials or media such as books, music and movies are likely to be inspected, and potentially even censored or banned from importation if the relevant agency determines they are against the values of the nation.
Other example items that cannot be sent to the United Arab Emirates include:
- Tyres that have been used
- Goods either originating from Israel or bearing Israeli logos
- Ivory or rhino horn
- Machines and tools used for gambling
- Items that are offensive to Muslim culture
The customs requirements for the UAE can be complicated, for more information, please see the UAE’s customs website here.
Before Sending a Parcel to the United Arab Emirates
To conclude, there are a range of everyday items that can be sent to the United Arab Emirates, however, the steps that the government and customs of the UAE take to keep out certain items means that you need to do your due diligence before packaging a parcel to send to the UAE. Before getting started, find out more about the customs requirements of the United Arab Emirates here.
When you're ready to send your parcel to the UAE, be sure to compare prices for renowned couriers with Worldwide Parcel Services! When you book with us, you can benefit from full international tracking all the way to the parcel's destination in the United Arab Emirates, and £100 free cover as standard. Our great prices mean that you can send a parcel to the UAE from as little as £38.73, and in just 2 to 7 days!