United Arab Emirates

Possession of even trace amounts of illegal drugs — including drugs detected in your bloodstream from use before you arrived — is illegal in the UAE, and bail is generally not granted.

Prison up to 15 years; death sentence for traffickers; blood/urine testing on suspicion.

Marijuana in any form is illegal even with a medical card, CBD products are prosecuted the same as marijuana, and even poppy seeds are banned.

Lengthy prison sentences of up to 15 years — trace amounts in the bloodstream count; bail is generally not granted, and convicted traffickers face the death penalty.

Narcotic and psychotropic medicines are controlled in the UAE — importing them requires prior UAE government permission, and prescriptions must be issued by a licensed doctor and authenticated to be valid.

Controlled medicines without permission and authenticated paperwork are treated as narcotics offenses.

Transporting any arms, weapon parts, or even a single bullet of ammunition into the UAE is strictly prohibited without prior written UAE government approval.

Even one bullet or inert/decorative ammunition counts; written approval required.

You must declare cash or bearer monetary instruments to UAE customs if the total exceeds AED 60,000 (or foreign-currency equivalent) on arrival.

Failure to declare is treated as smuggling — confiscation or fines.

Importing non-Islamic religious pamphlets for missionary activity is prohibited, along with ivory, pornographic material, endangered species, and objects contrary to the UAE's religious/moral values; possession can bring detention and lengthy jail.

Detention and lengthy jail sentences

Alcohol is sold only in licensed venues like certain hotels and restaurants, and public drunkenness is a serious offense (alcohol is fully banned in the emirate of Sharjah).

Detention awaiting court; jail, heavy fines, and lashings for Muslims.

The US State Department lists e-cigarettes among items whose importation into the UAE is prohibited under UAE law.

Importation prohibited under UAE law per the US State Dept.

The UAE has zero tolerance for driving after consuming any alcohol regardless of your blood-alcohol level, visitors may need an international driving permit, and traffic is on the right.

Any alcohol = arrest; outstanding fines must be paid before departure or you may be detained at the airport.

Flying drones is prohibited in certain areas of the UAE without prior approval from local authorities and may result in arrest and imprisonment.

Arrest and imprisonment

Photographing UAE military facilities, sensitive civilian sites, airports, some beaches, diplomatic missions, or people without consent may bring arrest, detention, and/or prosecution; GPS mapping without authority coordination carries the same risk.

Arrest, detention, and/or prosecution

Same-sex sexual relations and cross-dressing remain illegal in the UAE, though the US Embassy reports no recent arrests or prosecutions.

Remain criminal offenses under UAE law.

Public-decency laws are far stricter than in the US; public displays of affection or immodesty can bring penalties, and sexual relations outside marriage are illegal.

Arrest, fines, and/or deportation; lengthy jail sentences reported

You can be arrested, fined, and/or deported for rude gestures, swearing, touching someone without permission, or derogatory statements about the UAE, royal families, or government — including on social media.

Arrest, fines, and/or deportation