You may think you know the rules already but packing items not allowed in hand carry is still catching some passengers off guard. So, we’ve made this quick guide on restricted and prohibited items to help highlight what is not allowed on the plane, what needs to go in checked luggage, and what needs to stay at home!

Makeup, skincare and other beauty products

UAE airports still enforce a strict 100ml rule on liquids. This means that passengers can carry one clear plastic bag (Ziploc-sized) each, filled with products that contain up to 100ml each. However, make sure the total liquid within the bag does not exceed the one litre maximum limit. 

What can be confusing is exactly how items are classified as a liquid. Creams, gels, pastes, oils, aerosol products and even some wax-based products all fall into the liquids category, so take extra care when packing the following:

• Skincare products: Moisturisers, oil, water or foam-based cleansers, toners and liquid makeup remover

• Complexion products: Primers, foundation, concealers, tinted moisturisers as well as non-powder blushes, bronzers and contours. Also, setting sprays and facial mists.

• Lip products: Lip gloss, liquid lip liners and liquid lipsticks as well as lip balms and lip oils

• Eye-make up and eye products: Cream eyeshadow, mascara and liquid eyeliners, as well as eye drops

• SPF and sun-care products that are non-powder formulas 

• Perfumes over 100ml

• Liquid hair-care and hairstyling products

You should also be mindful of packaging because even if the liquid itself is less than 100ml, containers over the 100ml limit will often be flagged as being not allowed in hand carry. So, ensure all bottles containing liquids and gels are limited to 100ml, don’t total over 1 litre and are placed within the single transparent bag. 

Powders 

Though powder-formats of make up and SPF products are a great way to work around the 100ml liquids rule, most passengers are unaware that there is also a limit on the amount of powder you can travel with.

UAE airports cap powder-based products at 350 ml/g if packed in hand luggage. Anything above this should be checked-in. However, there are exceptions to this such as baby formula and prescription medicines, as well as cremated remains. 

Powders should be kept in original packaging where possible so they remain easily identifiable. However, if you need to store loose powder in generic containers, label the products and be aware that certain powders may be subject to security screening. These include:

• Spices: za’atar, saffron, sumac

• Loose tea or coffee blends

• Protein or collagen powder

Baby food and essentials 

Travelling with a baby can be tough as it is, so here’s easy-to-follow guidance on how much baby food is allowed in hand carry, and what isn’t allowed on a plane in hand luggage. 

UAE airports don’t apply the 100ml liquids rule or the 350g/ml powder limit on the following items when packed in hand carry:

• Baby milk (pre-mixed or powdered)

• Sterilised water in baby bottles

• Baby food jars and pouches

• Cooling gel packs to keep items fresh

However, you are limited to carrying only the amount needed for the journey. This means you can’t carry the entire stock of your baby’s food and formula that you’ll need for your holiday in hand luggage. 

Medicine:

The general rule is that most medication can go in hand luggage, without limitations, as long as you travel with a doctor’s note or prescription to justify the type of medication and quantity. These are the types of medication likely to get flagged so you’ll want to ensure you’ve prepared beforehand and have a doctor’s note with you:

• Inhalers, insulin pens and Epi‑Pens 

• Over‑the‑counter liquid meds like cough syrup, eye drops, or cold remedies Injectable medicine and syringes 

Medication that requires more than a doctor’s note or prescription

Also, be aware that some medicines are categorised as controlled substances in the UAE so always check against advice from the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP), especially if you are travelling with:

• Narcotics and psychotropics (e.g., codeine, temazepam but not illegal substances such as medical marijuana)

• ADHD medications and sleeping pills (e.g., temazepam)

To carry such items, travellers should:

• Obtain prior approval via MOHAP for these medications

• Only carry up to a three-month personal supply in original packaging with labels

• Declare these items and present medical documentation at customs

Travellers should take care to note that under UAE law all forms of cannabis, including medical marijuana, CBD oils, THC edibles or creams, remain strictly illegal in the UAE and therefore forbidden to carry even with a prescription. They are not allowed in hand carry nor in the hold, even for passengers in transit within the UAE. 

Electronics

As airports require devices like cameras and laptops to be scanned separately during security checks, you might be tempted to pack them in your checked luggage for convenience. However, any device containing lithium batteries—such as cameras, laptops, and power banks—must remain in your hand luggage, not checked in.

UAE airlines including Emirates and Etihad have clear rules. All lithium-powered items must be:

• Carried in hand luggage only (no lithium batteries in check-in)

• Labelled with their watt-hour (Wh) rating—ideally printed on the battery or charger

• Protected from short-circuiting (e.g., in a case or separate pouch)

Common items that usually contain lithium batteries: 

• Mobile phones

• iPads or android tablets

• Laptops

• Power banks (portable chargers)

• Cameras and drones

• E-cigarettes and vapes

• Wireless headphone

• Wireless water flosses

• Wireless breast pumps for mothers travelling with newborns

• Wireless hair stylers

• Premium electronic toothbrushes

• Smart luggage (see below) 

Electronic devices that are not allowed in hand luggage

• Power bank > 160 Wh

• Drones (but batteries must be removed and packed in cabin baggage, so keep them in original packaging as loose batteries are not permitted in hand carry. Also take note that for flights to Jordan, drones are forbidden in checked-in luggage too).

Travelling with smart luggage

Smart luggage refers to suitcases or travel bags that have built-in electronic capabilities, such as charging through an internal power bank, tracking technology, Bluetooth connectivity, electronic locking, and even electronic scales. These operate via lithium batteries so most airlines have restrictions on their usage. Passengers travelling on Emirates for example are required to remove the battery if using this as checked luggage, and carrying the battery in cabin baggage. If, however, the battery cannot be removed, it’s prohibited to use on the plane, either as checked-in or carry-on luggage. Similar rules apply on Etihad, though pay attention that the battery is under 160 Wh.

Sports and outdoor equipment

Generally, items that are sharp or can be used as blunt objects, such as rollerblades, roller skates and rackets for tennis, badminton and squash as well as bats for baseball and cricket, must be checked in, as should items like tent pegs, and fishing rods. Items classified as over-sized (i.e. surf boards, golf clubs and hiking poles) can’t go on the plane so must also be checked in. 

What you can pack in hand carry are things like swim gear, foldable yoga mats and light Pilates equipment such as resistance bands.

Souvenirs 

The general rule is, if you’ve purchased these before security, the type of product will dictate whether you can bring it on the plane:

• Liquids bought prior to security such as perfumes, beverages, or items that contain liquid, such as snow globes, incense sticks that contain lighter fluid or food items stored in liquids such as olives, must follow liquid rules if in hand-luggage. UAE residents are permitted to bring back 5L of alcohol per person as long as it’s declared and will need to be checked in. 

• Handcrafted souvenirs that could be used as weaponry are categorised as items that are not allowed in hand carry and must be packed in checked luggage.

• Spices fall within the powder limit.

If you’re planning on souvenir shopping in duty-free, remember that liquids bought in duty-free and carried as part of hand-luggage must remain unsealed and with proof of purchase.

Items banned from the UAE include:

• All narcotic drugs, such as hashish, poppy seeds and opiates

• Products made of wildlife materials such as ivory, rhino horn, fur, etc.

• Pornographic materials, including both printed material and sex toys 

• Gambling paraphernalia such as poker sets. Be warned that even some games such as could fall within these restrictions:

  • Poker cards: Likely banned if designed specifically for gambling (i.e. casino decks)

  • Mahjong sets: Could be confiscated due to chips, mats, etc. that might be classified as gambling paraphernalia

• Pork-based products are banned for UAE nationals and residents unless:

  • Vacuum-sealed, itemised and declared

  • No pork is allowed in hand luggage, and if undeclared at customs, items (even small personal packets) may be confiscated or fined.

Medication containing alcohol, or classified as non-halal medication should be accompanied by prescriptions and declared. Passengers needing to declare items can do so online using the iDeclare app.