Can I bring Tea and Coffee to United Arab Emirates?
Tea and Coffee→United Arab Emirates
⚠️ Allowed with Conditions
📋 Carrying Limits
✅ Declaration Requirements
⚠️Disclose tea, coffee and other food you carry: UAE Ministerial Decision 14/2016 requires carriers to alert travellers to comply with it and disclose the food in their possession. In Dubai, a verbal, written or electronic declaration or passage through the red or green channel counts as a customs declaration; goods whose value exceeds AED 3,000 must be declared.
📌 Quick Summary
🔗 Official Information Source:
Last Updated:October 18, 2026
Reliability:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📝 Important Notes
- •☕ Dubai/UAE Tea & Coffee Import Rules (Conditions for processed personal-use foods)
- •✅ Conditions for Personal Tea & Coffee:
- •Processed products: Ordinary processed tea and coffee for personal, non-commercial use or gifts may qualify under the personal-food rules, subject to the applicable Annex 1 types and quantities. Codex category 14.1.5 includes tea/coffee drinks, their mixes and concentrates, and treated coffee beans for making coffee products. This does not give every variety, brand, bean form or origin unconditional admission. Article 9 prohibits food covered by ministry import bans; check the product and its origin against applicable prohibitions
- •Quantity assessment: Annex 1 lists 20 L for the beverage row labelled “All including 14.1.1 Waters”; its separate fruit/vegetable juice-concentrate row lists 5 kg. This is not a single 20 L allowance for every product in category 14.0 or a separate allowance per tea/coffee product. For dry tea, matcha powder or coffee beans, confirm the applicable annex row and how the amount in that dry form is assessed with the competent food authority before travel. Do not convert the listed litres into a dry-weight allowance or assume the volume after brewing is the measurement
- •Packaged: Sealed packages preferred
- •Loose-leaf tea: Processed tea remains subject to the same type, quantity and prohibition conditions; loose packaging is not an exemption
- •Declaration: Disclose the food you carry, including tea and coffee. In Dubai, a verbal, written or electronic declaration or passage through the red or green channel counts as a customs declaration; goods exceeding AED 3,000 must be declared
- •Gifts (Dubai): Gifts accompanying the passenger with a value not exceeding AED 3,000 are duty-free if personal and not in commercial quantities; frequent visitors to the same customs centre, traders in these goods, people working in transporting them, transport crew and airport ground hosts do not qualify. Customs duty applies to excess values and VAT may also apply
- •Commercial quantities: A traveller may not bring in food in commercial quantities under individuals' names; commercial quantities are subject to permits from the relevant authorities
- •Inspection: Authorities may check food visually and/or in a laboratory. Non-compliant food may be held until corrected within a period set by the authority and destroyed if the period expires; unsafe food may be destroyed or re-exported. Food banned from entry by ministry decisions cannot be imported
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tea and Coffee need to be vacuum-sealed for entry?
Vacuum sealing can significantly reduce the risk of confiscation, especially for meat or dried products. Additionally, Tea and Coffee with complete commercial labeling and ingredient lists is more likely to pass inspection.
❓ More Questions
Can I bring tea and coffee to Dubai?
Ordinary processed tea and coffee for personal, non-commercial use or gifts may qualify under the personal-food rules, subject to the applicable Annex 1 types and quantities. Codex category 14.1.5 includes tea/coffee drinks, their mixes and concentrates, and treated coffee beans for making coffee products. This does not give every variety, brand, bean form or origin unconditional admission. Article 9 prohibits food covered by ministry import bans; check the product and its origin against applicable prohibitions. Annex 1 lists 20 L for the beverage row labelled “All including 14.1.1 Waters”; its separate fruit/vegetable juice-concentrate row lists 5 kg. This is not a single 20 L allowance for every product in category 14.0 or a separate allowance per tea/coffee product. For dry tea, matcha powder or coffee beans, confirm the applicable annex row and how the amount in that dry form is assessed with the competent food authority before travel. Do not convert the listed litres into a dry-weight allowance or assume the volume after brewing is the measurement. Disclose the food you carry; in Dubai, a verbal, written or electronic declaration or passage through the red or green channel counts as a customs declaration, and goods exceeding AED 3,000 must be declared. Keep in original packaging. Popular gift item. Dubai also has excellent tea/coffee shops.
Can I bring matcha to Dubai?
For ordinary processed matcha (green tea powder) intended for personal, non-commercial use or gifts, confirm the Annex 1 quantity assessment for the dry powder before travel and comply with applicable ministry import bans under Article 9. Annex 1 lists 20 L for the beverage row labelled “All including 14.1.1 Waters”; its separate fruit/vegetable juice-concentrate row lists 5 kg. This is not a single 20 L allowance for every product in category 14.0 or a separate allowance per tea/coffee product. For dry tea, matcha powder or coffee beans, confirm the applicable annex row and how the amount in that dry form is assessed with the competent food authority before travel. Do not convert the listed litres into a dry-weight allowance or assume the volume after brewing is the measurement. Great gift idea as it's not widely available in Dubai. Keep in original packaging. Disclose the food you carry; in Dubai, goods exceeding AED 3,000 must be declared. Dubai has some specialty tea shops but Japanese matcha is appreciated gift.
What is karak tea in Dubai?
Karak is popular UAE tea - strong black tea with milk and cardamom. Very sweet and spiced. Available everywhere (cafes, restaurants, street vendors). Very affordable (AED 1-3 per cup). Must-try local beverage. Similar to Indian chai.
Where to buy coffee in Dubai?
% Arabica (Japanese specialty), Brew92 (local roastery), Raw Coffee Company (Dubai-based). Supermarkets: Carrefour, Spinneys (international brands). Coffee Museum (Al Fahidi) for traditional Arabic coffee. Dubai has thriving specialty coffee scene.
Can I bring coffee beans to Dubai?
For personal, non-commercial use or gifts, this guidance covers treated coffee beans for making coffee products, such as roasted beans, and processed ground coffee. Product and origin must comply with applicable ministry import bans under Article 9; there is no unconditional permission for every origin or bean form. Check raw or untreated beans and planting material separately with the competent authority. Annex 1 lists 20 L for the beverage row labelled “All including 14.1.1 Waters”; its separate fruit/vegetable juice-concentrate row lists 5 kg. This is not a single 20 L allowance for every product in category 14.0 or a separate allowance per tea/coffee product. For dry tea, matcha powder or coffee beans, confirm the applicable annex row and how the amount in that dry form is assessed with the competent food authority before travel. Do not convert the listed litres into a dry-weight allowance or assume the volume after brewing is the measurement. Disclose the food you carry; in Dubai, goods exceeding AED 3,000 must be declared. Keep in vacuum-sealed bags for freshness. Popular gift (specialty beans from home country). Dubai has excellent coffee shops but specialty beans from abroad are appreciated.
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