Alcohol regulations in United Arab Emirates

Licences needed

Emirate Department of Economic Development commercial license, local Police/CID security approval, Food Safety and Environmental health approvals, and hospitality venue on-site fermentation permit (Abu Dhabi only)

Authority

Emirate Departments of Economic Development (DED), local Police General Headquarters (CID), Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), and local food control authorities

Documents

Facility blueprints, environmental clearance, municipality food control safety approval, CID background checks, and trade license application

Fees

Not confirmed; estimated between AED 100,000 to AED 200,000+ depending on local jurisdiction and premises type

Time to obtain

Not confirmed (typically 6 to 12 months for specialized venue manufacturing approvals)

Who can import

Only specialized, government-authorized corporate liquor distributors holding valid commercial alcohol trading and import licenses (e.g., Maritime and Mercantile International - MMI, African + Eastern, Gray Mackenzie & Partners)

Licences or registrations

Commercial Liquor Import License, Police/CID Alcohol Handling and Import Permit, Customs Importer Code, and Food Importer Registration

Authority

Local Police/CID in each Emirate, Federal Customs Authority / Emirate Customs (Dubai Customs, Abu Dhabi Customs), and Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT)

Documents

Valid UAE trade license specifying alcohol trading activity, police security clearance, customs clearance code, warehouse compliance certificate, and supplier distribution agreements

Fees

Not confirmed (varies significantly by emirate and licensed corporate scale)

Time to obtain

Not confirmed

Required: yes Process: Electronic product registration and label pre-assessment prior to shipment entry via the federal food safety portal (ZAD) or municipal portals (e.g., Montaji / FIRS in Dubai, ADAFSA in Abu Dhabi) Authority:…

Imports must be executed by an authorized Importer of Record holding an alcohol import permit for each consignment issued by local police/customs authorities; shipments require commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading,…

50% ad valorem CIF under the GCC Common Customs Tariff (HS 2208).

5% Standard Value Added Tax (VAT) applies nationwide. Federal Excise Tax (Cabinet Decision No. 52 of 2019) does not apply to alcoholic beverages (it applies to tobacco and sugary drinks). Dubai levies a 30% municipality tax on…

Alcohol retail is strictly segregated and prohibited in supermarkets or general retail. Packaged retail sales are restricted to authorized dedicated bottle shops operated by licensed distributors (e.g., MMI, African + Eastern,…

restricted; legal e-commerce sales and home delivery are permitted only through licensed distribution monopolies (e.g., MMI and African + Eastern delivery platforms in Dubai and Abu Dhabi) to residential addresses, provided…

Labels must be in Arabic or contain an approved bilingual Arabic/English sticker affixed prior to customs clearance; mandatory items include brand name, product description/type, country of origin, alcohol by volume (% ABV), net…

Banned; Chairman of the Board's Resolution No. 26 of 2017 on Media Content (Article 44) and emirate-level liquor legislation prohibit any direct or indirect advertising, marketing, or sponsorship of alcoholic beverages across…

Regulated under UAE/GSO food safety standards (including UAE.S GSO 1694 and emirate food regulations). Alcoholic beverages must have a minimum alcoholic strength of 0.5% ABV. Spirits (whisky, vodka, rum, gin, brandy) must be…

Sharjah is a strictly dry emirate where the sale, purchase, import, and public possession of alcohol are prohibited under Sharia-based emirate law. Across all emirates, consumption of alcohol in unlicensed public areas (beaches,…

Effective January 1, 2025, the Government of Dubai reinstated the 30% municipality tax on alcohol sales following a two-year temporary suspension (2023–2024). Full commercial rollout in 2024 of the UAE's first on-site…

Foreign spirits exporters must establish partnerships with authorized tier-one distributors (such as MMI or African + Eastern) who hold the necessary import and trade licenses to access high-margin channels in premium…

1. Bird & Bird: Dubai Re-instates 30% Alcohol Tax
2. USDA GAIN: United Arab Emirates Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards
3. Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism - Technical Regulations for Alcoholic Beverages
4. Al Tamimi & Company: Putting the campaign on ice: the position of alcohol advertising in the UAE
5. UAE Official Portal: Excise Tax and Customs Tariffs
6. Associated Press: First Craft Brewery Opens in UAE