What must travellers declare when entering or leaving the UAE with cash?
Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 places a disclosure obligation on any person entering or leaving the UAE who is carrying currencies, bearer negotiable instruments, precious metals, or valuable stones. The disclosure must be made in accordance with the system issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, in coordination with the Central Bank.
The disclosure system supports the detection of cash-based money laundering and terrorism financing by giving authorities visibility over significant value moving across the UAE border. Travellers should check the applicable declaration threshold and procedures before travelling, since carrying undeclared value above the set limit can lead to enforcement action. The obligation covers not only banknotes but also bearer instruments such as cheques payable to bearer, as well as gold and other precious metals and stones, which are common vehicles for moving illicit value.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 10 — disclosure obligation for cross-border movement of value.
· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 27 — court power to act where the disclosure duty is breached.
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.