Draft — subject to legal review
This text is a working draft and may change before final publication. If anything is unclear, please contact us.
What is the difference between prohibited, restricted and dangerous goods?
Prohibited goods cannot move at all, restricted goods move only with a permit, and dangerous goods move only under special safety rules.
| Category | What it means | Typical examples | What we need from you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prohibited | the law of a country on the route bans the import, export or transit | narcotic drugs, counterfeit currency, counterfeit branded goods, goods for sanctioned parties or destinations | nothing: we cannot ship them |
| Restricted | allowed only with a permit, licence or prior approval from a competent authority | medicines and medical devices, food, plants and animal products, chemicals and pesticides, radio and telecom equipment, dual-use items, products under conformity schemes | the permit or licence before booking |
| Dangerous goods (DG) | substances and articles classified as hazardous for transport (UN classes 1 to 9) | lithium batteries and devices containing them, paints, perfumes, aerosols, adhesives, flammable liquids, gases, corrosives | a Safety Data Sheet, the UN number and our prior written approval |
The same product can fall into more than one category; for example, a chemical can be both restricted and dangerous.
Which goods do we never handle?
We do not handle goods that are prohibited in the UAE or in any country on the route, or that would breach our Compliance & Sanctions Policy.
- narcotic drugs and other illegal substances;
- counterfeit currency and counterfeit or pirated goods;
- weapons, ammunition, explosives and military items;
- goods for sanctioned parties, destinations or end uses, and any Iran-related shipment while those services are suspended;
- hazardous waste moved without the approvals required by national law and the Basel Convention;
- undeclared or wrongly declared dangerous goods.
Which goods need a permit or licence?
Many everyday goods need a permit before they can enter the UAE or the destination country; the importer usually obtains it, and we check it before booking.
| Goods | Typical UAE authority (examples) |
|---|---|
| Medicines, medical devices and supplements | the competent UAE health authority |
| Food, plants, seeds, animals and animal products, fertilisers and pesticides | Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and local food-control authorities such as Dubai Municipality |
| Endangered species and products made from them | MOCCAE, through CITES permits |
| Radio, telecom and wireless equipment | Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), type approval |
| Products under conformity schemes (for example electrical goods, toys, tyres, vehicles and parts) | Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) |
| Dual-use and strategic goods | Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation (EOCN) |
Destination countries have their own schemes as well:
| Destination | Common requirement | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Iraq | Certificate of Conformity (COC) for many products | Importing into Iraq |
| Saudi Arabia | SABER product and shipment certificates; SFDA approval for food, medicines and cosmetics | Importing into Saudi Arabia |
| Kenya | KEBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) | Importing into Kenya |
| Tanzania | TBS pre-shipment verification of conformity | Importing into Tanzania |
| Nigeria | Form M, SONCAP and, for regulated products, NAFDAC | Importing into Nigeria |
| United Arab Emirates | customs registration, plus the permits above where they apply | Importing into the UAE |
How do we handle dangerous goods?
We accept dangerous goods only with a valid Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS), correct classification and our prior written approval, and only when the carrier accepts them.
- Send the SDS before booking. It must show the UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class and packing group (section 14 of the SDS).
- We check acceptance. We confirm with the carrier and the ports on the route; some carriers, vessels and transshipment ports restrict certain classes, and dangerous goods surcharges apply.
- Packing and labelling. Goods must be packed, marked and labelled under the IMDG Code for sea freight or the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations for air freight, and containers must be placarded.
- Declaration. The shipper signs a dangerous goods declaration; for sea freight a container packing certificate is also needed.
- Local approvals. Some classes need approval from civil defence or other authorities at origin or destination before loading or delivery.
Which everyday goods are often dangerous goods?
Many ordinary products are classified as dangerous goods for transport, even though they are sold in shops.
- lithium batteries, including those inside phones, laptops, power banks, e-bikes and scooters;
- perfumes, cosmetics and sanitisers that contain alcohol;
- aerosols, paints, inks, adhesives and cleaning chemicals;
- vehicle parts with fuel residue, airbags or batteries;
- gas cylinders and fire extinguishers.
Undeclared dangerous goods put vessels and crews at risk. Carriers can impose heavy penalties and refuse future bookings, and those costs fall on the shipper.
What should I tell you before booking?
The more precise the description, the faster we can confirm what is needed.
- the exact description, material, use and HS code, not just “general cargo” or “spare parts”;
- photos or a product specification for unusual items;
- an SDS for any chemical, liquid, powder, battery or aerosol;
- the origin, destination and full route, including any planned transshipment;
- copies of any permit, licence or certificate you already hold;
- the end user, where the goods are controlled or could have a dual use.
Where can I check the official rules?
Official lists change, so check them or ask your coordinator to check them for your HS code.
- Dubai Customs: prohibited and restricted goods, customs procedures
- Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP): federal customs
- Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE): food, agriculture, animals, CITES
- Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT): conformity schemes
- Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA): telecom equipment
- Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation (EOCN): strategic and dual-use goods, sanctions lists
- IMO: dangerous goods and the IMDG Code
- IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
- CITES: endangered species
Questions about this page?
Contact us and we’ll answer in English, Arabic or Persian.