Flying through UAE airports means knowing their baggage rules first. Dubai and Sharjah both have strict policies about what goes in your hand luggage. Understanding these requirements beforehand saves you headaches at security checkpoints. Here are some items banned on Dubai and Sharjah Airport.
Airport security exists for good reasons – keeping passengers safe during flights. The items banned on Dubai and Sharjah Airport prevents dangerous situations at 30,000 feet. Different airlines add their own rules too. Smart travelers call their airline before packing anything questionable.
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Dubai Airport: What Security Takes Away
Items That Won’t Make It Through
Dubai maintains a detailed list of items banned on Airport in Dubai that covers everyday objects you might not expect. Construction tools like hammers and screwdrivers get confiscated immediately. Even nail files longer than 6cm won’t survive screening.
Sharp objects create obvious problems. Kitchen knives, decorative swords, even handcuff – security removes them all. Weapons face automatic rejection. Guns, bullets, Tasers, walkie-talkies – none of these belong in cabin baggage.
One cigarette lighter stays with you personally, not in bags. Baseball bats and martial arts gear must go underneath the plane. Power tools like drills fail security every time. Rope, measuring tape, extension cords – inspectors flag these unless they’re clearly for personal use.
The Liquid Maze
Liquid restrictions confuse many travelers. Each bottle has a capacity of 100ml maximum. Total allowance reaches one liter across everything combined.
Prescription drugs require doctor documentation. People with pacemakers or metal implants need medical certificates ready. Otherwise security delays become inevitable.
Power Bank Complications
Small power banks under 100 watt-hours pass inspection fine. Medium-sized ones between 100-160 watt-hours depend on airline policies. Large units over 160 watt-hours get rejected automatically. Flight attendants prohibit usage during takeoff, landing, and turbulence.
Sharjah Airport: Stricter Than Most
Complete Prohibition List
Sharjah follows the Dubai Airport Banned Items framework but goes further. They ban items from both carry-on and checked luggage. Sports equipment like cricket bats and hockey sticks face complete prohibition.
Gas canisters for camping stoves cannot travel anywhere on passenger planes. Chemicals that ignite when wet pose serious fire risks. Strike-anywhere matches and sulfur powder create similar dangers.
Suspected biological weapons trigger immediate law enforcement involvement. Security isolates such items from passenger areas while authorities investigate.
Dangerous Liquids and Chemicals
Household items become hazardous at altitude. Paint thinner, gasoline, car batteries with acid – all forbidden on passenger flights. Strong alcohol over certain proof levels joins this category. Printer ink cartridges often get flagged too.
Weapon Classifications
Anything designed to hurt someone gets banned. This covers obvious weapons like pistols and rifles. Less obvious items include nail guns and cattle prods. Decorative items shaped like weapons face the same treatment.
Knife restrictions apply to blades over 6cm long. Hunting knives, box cutters, razor blades – security confiscates everything sharp. Martial arts weapons like throwing stars obviously cannot travel in cabins.
Truly Dangerous Materials
Radioactive substances get special handling based on radiation levels. Three classification types exist depending on danger ratings. Carbon monoxide and similar toxic gases stay off passenger aircraft completely.
Medical waste, infectious bacteria, and virus samples – these require special transport permits through cargo channels only. Explosives like fireworks and road flares face obvious prohibition.
Fake bombs or weapon replicas cause serious legal problems. Security treats them like real threats until proven otherwise. Pepper spray, stun guns, tear gas – personal protection items cannot travel with passengers anywhere.
Items with Special Rules
Some things need extra steps rather than outright bans. Small liquid containers go in clear plastic bags sized exactly 20×20 centimeters. Security wants these bags separate from other belongings during X-ray screening.
Baby formula and prescription medicines get individual inspection. Officials might demand proof that pills match prescriptions through pharmacy labels or doctor notes.
Practical Travel Advice
Call your airline 24-48 hours before departure. Rules change frequently without public announcements. Emirates recently changed power bank policies with minimal notice, catching many travelers off guard.
Airport arrival should happen 2-3 hours early for international flights. Security processing takes longer when restricted items need extra inspection or removal.
Double-check everything in your bags before leaving home. Security discards confiscated items immediately – no storage or return options exist.
These guidelines exist because aviation safety requires constant vigilance. Following them properly helps everyone reach their destination safely.