Learn about the list of controlled drugs, how to obtain a pre-approval, and when you can bring them into the UAE

Are you traveling to the UAE with restricted and controlled narcotics and psychotropics on your prescription? A pre-approval for controlled substances is important to ensure you comply with UAE’s guidelines for carrying personal medicines. But what are these controlled medicines, and how do you apply for pre-approval? Here is all you need to know.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) posted on their Twitter account on December 8 that passengers arriving in the UAE can get pre-approval for narcotic and psychotropic drugs via the ministry’s official website, mohap.gov.ae.

MOHAP’s guidelines state that travelers carrying personal medicines are advised to obtain permission from the Registration and Drug Control Department, MOHAP, prior to traveling to the UAE. MOHAP inspectors and Customs Department inspectors inspect the medicines carried by travelers.

There are two main UAE laws that address drug control: Federal Law No. 14 of 1995 and Federal Law No. 4 of 1983. The UAE is a signatory to international drug control conventions on narcotics and psychotropic substances. Both laws regulate the import of medicines – narcotics, psychotropics, general and controlled medicine.

Which medicines are approved for travelers to the UAE?

Travelers to the UAE should be aware that the MOHAP Drug Control Department has strict regulations and conducts thorough investigations and inspections of personal medications prior to their arrival. Following are the categories of drugs, narcotics, and psychotropic medicines that are allowed in the UAE, according to MOHAP’s guidelines.

1. Narcotic Law 14 of 1995 of the UAE prohibits international travelers from entering the UAE with drugs listed in Schedule IV, even if they are legal in their country of origin.
2. The UAE does not allow international travelers to carry narcotic drugs included in Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention of the International Narcotic Control Board (INCB), even if they are legal in the country of departure.
3. International travelers cannot carry psychotropic substances listed in Schedule I of the 1971 Psychotropic Convention into the UAE, even if their use is permitted in the country of departure.
4. All medicines, other than those listed in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3, of the 1961 Narcotic Convention and of 1971 Psychotropic Convention the Internationalional Narcotic Control Board (INCB), and medicines listed in Schedule I, II, III, V, VI, VII, and VIll of the annex to Narcotic Law 14 of 1995 and the medicines listed in Controlled Drug – Class A [CDa] and Controlled Drug – Class B [CDb] list by MOHAP, can be included in personal medicine.

What steps must travelers take to get approval for personal medicines in the UAE?

The UAE allows all passengers entering or transiting through the country to carry

1. Individual medicines listed in CDa and CDb
2. Medications in Schedule I, II, III, V, VI, VII, and VIII of the annex to Narcotic Law 14 of 1995.

It is mandatory, however, to have an approved permit from MOHAP.

You must prepare all your necessary documents and be aware of the UAE’s drug regulations before leaving your home country.

What is the process for obtaining approval for controlled medicines online?

You need Prior Approval from MOHAP’s Registration and Drug Control Department to carry narcotic drugs if you are a transit passenger or coming into the UAE.

Documents required for travelers:

1. Copy of the Passport
2. Health facility medical records issued less than one year ago, authenticated by the health authority in the country of treatment or the country’s embassy, or by any other authorized authentication body within that country.
3. A copy of the prescription issued by the patient less than three months ago. The prescription must include the following information:

• The patient’s full name.
• The scientific and commercial name of the drug.
• The pharmaceutical form.
• The prescribed dose.
• The date of issuing the prescription.
• The duration of treatment.
• The name of the physician.
• A certificate or permit authenticated by the health authority of the country of departure that confirms the patient’s right to possess for personal use or medical preparations.

During the traveler’s stay in the UAE, the above documents should be in the traveler’s possession and available on request for presentation to the UAE authorities. In order to enter the country, travelers must present the above documents to the customs authorities and have them signed and stamped by the officials.

Steps for online approval:

1. Visit the MOHAP website – mohap.gov.ae and click on the services tab. Go to the search bar on the right, type, ‘Issuance of Permit to Import Medicines for Personal Use.’ Once you see the name of the service, click on start.
2. Log in or create an account with the MOHAP website. You can also use the UAE Pass to log in.
3. Fill in your personal information and start the application process:

• Phone number
• Email
• Name
• Nationality
• Passport information
• Date of Birth

4. Enter all the personal medical products that need MOHAP’s approval. In order to fill out the medicine list, an applicant must click on the ‘Add medicine’ button, which will open a pop-up window. The following fields must be filled out:

• Product Category
• Batch Number (Optional)
• Trade Name
• Generic Name/ Active Ingredients
• Strength
• Product Form
• Pack Type
• Number of imported Packs
• Pack Size
• Pack Size Unit

5. Provide arrival information. The arrival information and the arrival information for your medical products must be entered in this section. You must include the following:

• Importing Country
• Date of Arrival
• Date of Departure (Optional)
• Duration of Stay (Optional)
• Courier Shipping
• Courier Company Name
• Tracking
• Number

6. Include the required documents (listed above).
7. Submit the application for approval.
8. You will receive the permit by email if approved after the application is reviewed by an employee of MOHAP.

The service is free and takes three days to complete. The approval is valid for two months, and the permit is single use only. You can contact MOHAP’s hotline at 800 111 11 if you have any questions or need assistance with the application.

Is it possible to carry herbal medicine?

Even if their use is permitted in the country of departure, drugs listed in Schedule IV of Narcotic Law 14 of 1995 of the UAE are prohibited in the UAE.

All other herbal medicines should be administered in the same way as regular, prescription-only medicines.

Is it possible to carry non-registered medicines?

MOHAP guidelines state that carrying medicines that are not registered is prohibited by UAE Federal Law No. 4 for 1983. Visitors are not allowed to bring non-registered or banned medicines into the UAE.