Few questions from a first-timer in Dubai
 

Greetings Folks,

In a couple of weeks, en route to Afghanistan I will be transiting in Dubai for 1-2 days to collect my visa. I will certainly put most of my luggage in the airport short-term storage as I won't need them during those two days but it means that I will have to clear customs with them.

Since this will be my first time there, I would like to ask those of you who have proper experience of the place a few administrative questions:

- Regarding food in my luggage, every website I've found mentions a prohibition to bring "Cooked and homemade foods". Would Foie gras or Jam (not homemade) fall into that category? I pretty much assume that anything containing pork will be confiscated at customs, am I right?

- Regarding medicines, I am brining a sizable bunch of pills (painkillers, sore throat remedies, diarrhea medications, water purifiers... Nothing that actually requires prescription though) in my luggage since I am not sure about the kind and quality of stuff that will be available in KBL. I have looked at the list of prohibited medications and I shall be fine. But how strict are they with that list? I have a medication in pills that is listed as prohibited under "linctus" format, do you think it won't be a problem?

Thanks in advance for your advice/comments.

It's a difficult call. I've been through UAE customs many, many times with all sorts of accumulated crap and have never been stopped. But I've heard of people being stopped for the strangest things. I did once have a cheese grater confiscated ...

To be certain, never carry more than a few weeks' supply of medication and always have some supporting documentation if it's prescribed. They are not out to inconvenience visitors; more concerned about unlicensed supply and the recreational use of prescription medications. If it's in reasonable quantities and clearly for your own use, you'll be fine.

Everything you list is available over the counter here at many 24/7 pharmacies, and most at supermarket checkouts.

Importing pork products is definitely not permitted (without a licence).

http://www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae/en/eS...ted-Goods.aspx

dupe ...

Thanks for the reply.

Even though, as you said, the medication I'll have with me are over the counter stuff, I'll probably limit their number to avoid taking chances.

Regarding food I'll try to bring small amount of non-pork stuff and see how it goes. Worst case scenario it will be confiscated just like your cheese grater (!!! I assume it was seen as a dangerous item/weapon?).

Thanks again.

Over the counter stuff from one country may be prohibited in Dubai.

Having said that, I carry lots of over-the-counter medicines from the UK to Dubai to cover all sorts of travel ailments and have never had an issue at Dubai customs.

Personally I wouldn't bring food in. You can eat very well in Dubai with great quality food at very cheap prices.

In my years of travelling to Dubai I've found that you don't need to take much stuff with you other than clothes. It's a very developed place with modern infrastructure and everything is available there. Literally, everything!

I'll sort out my medication and will try to bring them to KBL over a few trips instead of all at once.

I'm not worried about food in Dubai but more about the one I'll have access to once I'm in Kabul :D