can you bring pork into dubai

Can You Bring Pork into Dubai? A Guide to Importing Pork and Other Restricted Items

Dubai is a modern, multicultural city, but it still observes traditional Islamic dietary laws. This means pork and pork products are restricted items for travelers visiting or moving to Dubai. While not completely banned, there are important guidelines for bringing pork and other prohibited food items into the United Arab Emirates.

In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about bringing pork into Dubai including

• An overview of Islamic dietary laws
• Exactly what pork products are restricted
• How much pork you can bring into Dubai
• Declaring pork at airport customs
• Having pork shipped to Dubai
• Where to buy pork legally in Dubai
• Penalties for pork smuggling

Understanding Halal Dietary Laws

To understand why pork isn’t allowed, it’s helpful to know about Halal laws, which govern what can be brought into Islamic countries like the UAE.

Halal refers to what is permissible under Islamic law. Haram refers to what is prohibited.

When it comes to food, pork and alcohol are considered Haram. Other animal products like beef and chicken must be slaughtered according to Halal regulations to be considered permissible.

So while not completely banned, bringing pork into Dubai requires following specific rules out of respect for the Muslim faith and customs of the UAE.

Which Pork Products Are Restricted?

According to the UAE’s General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, the following pork products are considered restricted items:

• Pork meat from pigs
• Sausages, hot dogs, and deli meats containing pork
• Ham and bacon
• Pork lard or fat
• Gelatin made from pork products
• Alcoholic beverages and foods prepared with alcohol

Any products containing pork as an ingredient are also prohibited. Muslims must avoid consuming pork, so these food restrictions apply for both residents and tourists.

How Much Pork Can You Bring to Dubai?

While restricted, travelers can still bring in small quantities of pork for personal consumption in Dubai. Understanding the limits will help avoid problems with customs.

According to the Emirates Airlines website, non-Muslim passengers can carry:

• Up to 4 kgs (8.8 lbs) of pork products
• Up to 2 liters of alcohol
• Up to 400 cigarettes

Keep in mind that limits apply per person. A family of four could technically import up to 16 kgs (35 lbs) total between them.

These allowances make it possible to bring items like ham sandwiches or a bottle of wine for personal use as a tourist or expat. But some regulations still apply.

Declaring Pork and Alcohol at Airport Customs

When you first land in Dubai, you must declare any pork, alcohol, or tobacco products you’re carrying to airport customs officials.

Be honest and accurate about the quantity and type of restricted items in your possession. Even if it’s just a pack of bacon tucked in your suitcase, declare it to avoid stiff penalties.

Customs may search luggage and verify the declared amounts. As long as you’re within the limits per passenger, your items will simply be recorded and allowed through.

Trying to smuggle undeclared or illegal quantities can lead to confiscation of the contraband, fines, deportation, or jail time in extreme cases. Don’t risk it—just be upfront on your entry paperwork and with customs.

Shipping Pork to Dubai

What about having pork products shipped to Dubai rather than packing it yourself? There are a few options:

Inspection and customs clearance: Packages containing pork can be shipped to Dubai but will be held for inspection and clearance before release. Expect added delays and fees.

Shop and ship services: Some companies like Aramex Shop and Ship will provide a U.S. address you can ship to, then forward approved items on to Dubai. This skips inspection but has subscription and shipping costs.

Duty free allowances: If the pork is part of your duty free allowance and within the limits per person, you can have it shipped duty free as part of your personal effects shipment.

While it’s possible to get pork shipped into Dubai with the right process, there are easier ways to buy it once there.

Where to Buy Pork Legally in Dubai

As an international city, Dubai accommodates non-Muslim dietary needs within reason. There are designated places where pork can be purchased legally by tourists and resident expats:

Licensed hotels and restaurants: Hotels rated 4-stars and up are permitted to serve alcohol and pork to patrons but not the general public. Some restaurants have appropriate licensing as well.

Designated pork shops: There are a handful of butcher shops authorized to sell pork to permit holders. These include locations like Le Gourmet and Geant in Deira and Spinneys in Marina and Jumeirah.

Barracuda: This regulated company offers home delivery of pork and alcohol products to permit holders.

Shop in other emirates: Pork can be found more easily in UAE emirates like Sharjah or Umm Al Quwain. Residents drive there regularly to buy pork and alcohol.

Non-Muslim compound stores: Some designated compounds owned by foreigners sell pork and alcohol to residents.

When buying pork internally, look for shops displaying proper licensing. Fines for selling pork illegally can be up to AED 500,000.

Are There Penalties for Pork Smuggling?

Authorities understand that visitors may not fully grasp the complex import laws around restricted items like pork. But penalties can still apply to those who intentionally break the rules.

According to the UAE’s Federal Law No. 17 of 2007 on Food Safety, the following penalties may be enforced for smuggling prohibited food items:

• Fines from AED 50,000-100,000 (approx. $13,600-$27,200).
• Jail time ranging from 3 months up to a lifetime sentence.
• Deportation following a jail term.

Items would also be confiscated immediately. The penalties increase for repeat offenses or smuggling large quantities of pork or alcohol.

While the UAE takes food restrictions seriously, most travelers that make innocent mistakes or fully cooperate at customs have nothing to fear. Just educate yourself and follow the guidelines.

Can Muslims Bring or Buy Pork in Dubai?
While non-Muslims have allowances for personal pork consumption, Muslims are religiously prohibited from purchasing or handling pork.

Bringing pork into Dubai as a Muslim could lead to confiscated items and fines for breaking Islamic law. Purchasing inside Dubai exposes vendors to penalties for selling to Muslims.

So pork in Dubai is considered permissible only for those who do not follow Islam. Muslims must avoid it entirely.

Key Considerations When Bringing Pork into Dubai
To summarize key points for bringing pork into Dubai:

• Know current import allowances per person for pork, alcohol, tobacco.
• Only bring quantities within these limits for personal use.
• Declare all restricted items honestly on your entry paperwork and to customs.
• Be cooperative if luggage is inspected and items verified.
• Buy from authorized outlets once inside Dubai rather than importing.
• Do not attempt to smuggle illegal quantities or distribute to others.
• Muslims must not purchase, handle, or consume any pork products.

While observing cultural etiquette, Dubai allows visitors and expats to eat comfort foods from home in moderation if they adhere to the law. A little forethought helps prevent issues when entering the country.