UAE Travel Alert: What You Can’t (and Shouldn’t) Pack in Your Hand Luggage

Planning to fly out of Dubai or Sharjah? Before you zip up that cabin bag, here’s a heads-up — UAE airports have strict rules on what can and can’t be taken on board. And with Emirates banning the use of power banks on flights from October 2025, now’s a good time to double-check your packing list.

Dubai Airports – Banned in Cabin Baggage

These items will not make it past security:

• Hammers, nails, screwdrivers, sharp work tools

• Scissors with blades over 6cm

• Personal grooming tools with parts over 6cm

• Swords, knives, sharp objects

• Handcuffs, firearms, ammunition, laser guns

• Walkie talkies

• Lighters (only one allowed on your person)

• Bats, martial arts weapons, drills

• Ropes, measuring tapes, packing tapes

• Electrical cables (unless for personal trip use)

Dubai – Restricted in Cabin Baggage

• Liquids: Max 100ml per container, up to 10 containers total (1 litre)

• Medicines: Must have a doctor’s prescription

• Metal medical implants: Carry a doctor’s certificate

• Power banks:

  • Allowed up to 100Wh

  • Between 100–160Wh: Airline approval needed

  • Above 160Wh: Not allowed

  • Cannot be used during the flight

  Sharjah Airport – Completely Prohibited in Cabin and Checked Baggage

  • Weapons, bats, martial arts gear

  • Flammable gases, liquids, solids, corrosives

  • Chemical & biological agents (including hazardous powders and viruses)

  • Knives with blades ≥6cm (plus hunting, souvenir, or martial arts knives)

  • Oxidizers (e.g., bleach, ammonium nitrate)

  • Diving tanks, fire extinguishers, compressed oxygen

  • Radioactive materials

  • Explosives, ammunition, fireworks

  • Suspicious or dummy weapons/grenades

  • Tear gas, mace, stun guns

  • Organic peroxide

  Sharjah – Restricted in Cabin Baggage

  • Liquids: Max 100ml per bottle, in a 20×20cm resealable plastic bag, presented at security

  • Medicines & baby food: Carry separately and bring proof (prescription or doctor’s note)

  Travel Tip: Always check your airline’s own rules before flying — they may have extra restrictions. When in doubt, leave it out or pack it in checked baggage (if allowed).

  UAE travel advisory Dubai Airports banned items Sharjah Airport security rules Emirates power ba