# What weakness did the UAE NRA identify in controls over cash couriers? **URL:** \ **Category:** UAE\ **Tags:** money-laundering, aml, nra\ **Created:** [September 9, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/what-weakness-did-the-uae-nra-identify-in-controls-over-cash-couriers/1887 "2026-09-09T16:09:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Monika](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/www.amlfaqs.com/monika/32/200_2.png) [@Monika](https://www.amlfaqs.com/u/Monika)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/what-weakness-did-the-uae-nra-identify-in-controls-over-cash-couriers/1887/1 "2026-09-09T16:09:53Z")
What weakness did the UAE NRA identify in controls over cash couriers? ---
**Author:** ![Monika](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/www.amlfaqs.com/monika/32/200_2.png) [@Monika](https://www.amlfaqs.com/u/Monika)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/what-weakness-did-the-uae-nra-identify-in-controls-over-cash-couriers/1887/2 "2026-09-09T16:09:56Z")
The second NRA states that the UAE lacks sufficient licensing systems for cash couriers. Work is underway on a project led by UAE Customs to verify the declarations of cash couriers against exchange houses, banks or legal persons through the declaration system using an independent mechanism. This sits inside a broader assessment that is otherwise positive. The customs regime concerning cash and similar instruments is described as having robust regulations mandating declaration, supported by penalties for non-compliance, with strengths including electronic declaration systems and efficient cooperation among institutions. The courier licensing gap is the named exception. It matters because the NRA also rates smuggling of cash and precious metals as a medium-high ML threat and identifies cash couriers as one of the key methods in cases involving foreign predicate offences. The gap and the threat point at the same place. **Legal Reference (source document):** · [UAE Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing National Risk Assessment, 2nd NRA (2024)](https://www.namlcftc.gov.ae) · [National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organizations Committee](https://www.namlcftc.gov.ae) _Scope note: this reflects the position during the assessment period. The courier verification project was in progress at the time of publication._ Further reading: [The role of cash thresholds in AML/CFT](https://amluae.com/the-significance-of-cash-thresholds-in-fighting-money-laundering-and-terrorist-financing/) **Related questions on [amlfaqs.com](http://amlfaqs.com):** · [What national ML vulnerabilities did the UAE identify in its second NRA?](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/1888) · [What did the UAE NRA find about money laundering through real estate?](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/1878) · [Does ADGM have its own AML law, or does UAE federal AML law apply?](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/1686) ---
**Author:** ![Monika](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/www.amlfaqs.com/monika/32/200_2.png) [@Monika](https://www.amlfaqs.com/u/Monika)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/what-weakness-did-the-uae-nra-identify-in-controls-over-cash-couriers/1887/3 "2026-09-09T16:09:59Z")
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**Author:** ![Monika](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex010/user_avatar/www.amlfaqs.com/monika/32/200_2.png) [@Monika](https://www.amlfaqs.com/u/Monika)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2026, 3:37pm UTC](https://www.amlfaqs.com/t/what-weakness-did-the-uae-nra-identify-in-controls-over-cash-couriers/1887/4 "2026-10-11T15:37:05Z")