Travelers flying from the UAE have been reminded to check what they can and cannot carry in their cabin baggage, as airport authorities in Dubai and Sharjah update guidance on banned and restricted items.

The advisory follows Emirates’ recent ban on using power banks onboard from October.

Banned items in hand baggage – Dubai airport

Dubai Airports has a strict list of prohibited items that cannot be carried in cabin luggage. These include:

Sharp work tools such as hammers, nails, and screwdrivers
Scissors with blades longer than 6cm
Swords, handcuffs, firearms, and ammunition
Laser guns, walkie-talkies, and martial arts weapons
Lighters (only one lighter allowed on person)
Bats, drills, ropes, packing tapes, and electrical cables (except for personal travel use)

Restricted items – Dubai airport

Some items are allowed only under specific conditions:

Liquids: Maximum 100ml per container, up to 10 containers (1 litre total)
Medication: Must be accompanied by a doctor’s prescription
Medical devices: Passengers with metal implants need a doctor’s certificate
Power banks: Must not exceed 100Wh; 100–160Wh may be allowed depending on airline, but never above 160Wh. Use onboard is prohibited

Banned items – Sharjah airport

Sharjah Airport prohibits these items in both cabin and checked baggage:

Bludgeons, baseball bats, flammable gases and liquids
Hazardous chemicals, corrosives, and infectious substances
Firearms, explosives, fireworks, and dangerous goods
Knives with blades over 6cm, hunting knives, martial arts devices
Radioactive materials, toxic gases, and disabling devices like tear gas
Suspicious or imitation weapons, straight razors, elongated scissors

Restricted items – sharjah airport

Allowed under strict rules:

Liquids: Up to 100ml in a clear, resealable 20cm x 20cm plastic bag
Medicines and special food: Baby food and prescription medicines must be presented separately and may require proof of authenticity

Travel tip for passengers

While these lists come from airport authorities, airlines may impose additional restrictions. Always check your carrier’s latest rules before packing.