Carrying Rx medicines into Dubai

We are on a 11/3 Azamara cruise leaving from Dubai, UAE and flying into Dubai.

We read several articles indicating UAE has very strict rules prohibiting carrying pages of prescription and non-prescription medicines including: cold tablets (e.g.Actifed); any pain medications (e.g valium, zanax).

The UAE Ministry of Health web (http://uaeinteract.com/travel/drug/asp has seven (7) pages of singled spaced medicines banned unless: Rx prescription; attested by a notary; and authenticated by both a state Secretary of State and the US Secretary of State (impossible).

Apparently customs has sensitive equipment to conduct searches of baggage. The enforcement has ranged from a few hours detention to weeks to months of detention. One person held in custody for eight (8) weeks for possession of Rx codene for back pain.

As seniors we all have various pain medications to take. Does anyone have any experience traveling to Dubai and having any screening for medications?

We are on a 11/3 Azamara cruise leaving from Dubai, UAE and flying into Dubai.

 

We read several articles indicating UAE has very strict rules prohibiting carrying pages of prescription and non-prescription medicines including: cold tablets (e.g.Actifed); any pain medications (e.g valium, zanax).

 

The UAE Ministry of Health web (http://uaeinteract.com/travel/drug/asp has seven (7) pages of singled spaced medicines banned unless: Rx prescription; attested by a notary; and authenticated by both a state Secretary of State and the US Secretary of State (impossible).

 

Apparently customs has sensitive equipment to conduct searches of baggage. The enforcement has ranged from a few hours detention to weeks to months of detention. One person held in custody for eight (8) weeks for possession of Rx codene for back pain.

 

As seniors we all have various pain medications to take. Does anyone have any experience traveling to Dubai and having any screening for medications?

Been to Dubai over 50 times. Never had my hand luggage searched by customs. However it only takes one time.

As far as getting items endorsed by a notary, and your state secretary and department of state. it is NOT impossible. I do it regularly for overseas bids.

I can't fix the link which didn't work for me but l googled it:

http://www.uaeinteract.com/travel/drug.asp

Ours have never been checked there either but YMMV!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OP: Good for you that you researched this issue in full.

Our decision was to bring copies of the prescriptions and a signed letter from our MD on his letterhead. I also kept the email I received from the head of the Ministry of Health, which said that I could bring the specific medicines into the country for my own use. We also used the Marhaba services at the airport to escort us through immigration and customs.

The specialized equipment to detect drugs is an xray machine.

While there may be some who are detained over drugs, I think it is telling that one cannot find any posters on Cruise Critic or Flyertalk who have complained about their being detained or arrested. I think that speaks volumes, for if any had, they would be whining about the unfairness of it and warning everyone to stay away from the UAE.

A final note: My wife got sick after we arrived in Dubai and called her personal physician. We asked the concierge of our (high end) hotel if she could help my acquire the medication he suggested, which was an oral steroid. Within an hour, late at night, she called us in the room to let us know that the medication was on property. No MD visit necessary. No prescription to take to the pharmacy. It just magically appeared in our room for a $3.00 charge.

My son and his family are based in Dubai so I am a regular visitor to the UAE. I make sure my medication is in my hand luggage, in original boxes with evidence of my name on them and I always carry an up to date prescription and a letter from my GP. I have never had any problems taking medicines into the country

It is quite easy to buy cold remedies from pharmacies and they are very helpful if you have a problem.

i hope you manage to sort out your concerns.

Suzanne (Bristol, UK)

I guess medical cannabis oil would be a good thing to leave at home :D

I guess medical cannabis oil would be a good thing to leave at home :D

Ya think?

Seriously, if you have a letter from your GP with what you need to have you will be fine. Funny, most of the prohibited items can be bought at a local pharmacy in DBX without a prescription. We have been to DBX many times but we also have meet and greet services and never has our luggage been opened for inspection. What they are looking for is trafficking of drugs not a few pills with a prescription label and a note from the GP.

Dubai is a lovely place to visit but they do have their customs which you can google. If you stay in western hotels everything is fine.

Do I need a meet and greet service if I am travelling

Emirates first class? I assume we would be off the plane first, and we do have a chauffer to the hotel.

Do I need a meet and greet service if I am travelling

Emirates first class? I assume we would be off the plane first, and we do have a chauffer to the hotel.

Unfortunately, I am not familiar with Emirates F service. Perhaps you can contact them about their ground services.

I had access to expedited service due to AC business class, but chose the Marhaba service and glad I did.

Just returned from Dubai via Qatar Air both ways from the USA. Had our meds in containers and prescription letter from doctor in hand-carry tote. No issues. No one asked, no one checked, but I was prepared.

We did not use a meet and greet service, and had no issue with getting our luggage or getting through immigration. We did have a private driver waiting for us inside terminal, and that was very helpful!

This website , as previously posted http://www.uaeinteract.com/travel/drug.asp seems to be clear about what you can't bring in.