Any person entering or leaving the UAE must make a disclosure when carrying currencies, bearer negotiable instruments, precious metals or valuable stones. The obligation is part of the country’s cross-border controls against money laundering and terrorist financing.
The disclosure is made in accordance with the system issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, in coordination with the Central Bank, which sets the applicable thresholds and the declaration format. Failing to disclose, refusing to provide additional information when asked, deliberately concealing information that must be disclosed, or knowingly providing false information is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment and a fine, or either, and the court may order confiscation of the seized funds. Businesses whose staff or couriers move value across the border should build the declaration step into their procedures so an honest movement is never mistaken for an attempt to evade controls.
Legal Reference (UAE):
Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 10 — the cross-border disclosure obligation for cash, bearer instruments, precious metals and stones; Article 34 — penalties for breaching it.
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.
Anyone entering or leaving the UAE must make a disclosure when carrying currency, bearer negotiable instruments, precious metals or valuable stones. The duty sits in the AML Decree-Law itself and applies to travellers generally, not only to businesses. Bearer negotiable instruments include items such as cheques and payment orders that pass on delivery, so the obligation is not limited to banknotes.
The threshold, the form and the mechanics of the declaration are set by the disclosure system issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security in coordination with the Central Bank, rather than by the Decree-Law. Those figures and procedures are updated from time to time, so check the current requirement on the Authority’s own website before travelling rather than relying on a figure quoted second-hand. Making a full and accurate declaration at the point of entry or exit is the whole of the obligation: splitting an amount across travellers to stay below a threshold is itself a pattern authorities look for.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 10, which obliges any person entering or departing the State to make a disclosure when carrying currencies, bearer negotiable instruments, precious metals or valuable stones.