Travellers entering or departing the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with cash, jewellery, precious stones, or other valuables worth more than Dh60,000 are now required to declare them online before reaching customs, according to a Gulf News report.
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP) has rolled out the facility through its official platform Afseh, accessible via the website declare.customs.ae and the Afseh mobile application, available for both Apple and Android devices.
Who Must Declare
The requirement applies to passengers aged 18 and above and covers cash, cheques, high-value personal goods, jewellery, and precious stones. Passengers under the age limit can carry higher amounts, but the declaration must be submitted on their behalf by a parent or legal guardian.
Currently, the service is operational at Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah international airports. The ICP advises passengers to complete the declaration process in advance to avoid last-minute delays at the airport.
How to File a Declaration
To submit a declaration, travellers must first create an account on Afseh using the UAE Pass, which automatically populates personal details such as Emirates ID, visa status, full name, and nationality.
Users are then required to provide additional address and contact details based on their residency status. Once the profile is set up, the next step is to choose “Apply for a New Declaration Request” and enter travel information, including:
- Arrival or departure status
- Travel date
- Emirate of entry or exit
- Type of port (airport, seaport, etc.)
- Country of origin or destination
- Mode of transport and airline details
- Ticket number
Travellers must specify the type and value of the items being declared, whether in the form of currency, jewellery, precious stones, or other personal goods. For cash, the exact currency and amount must be provided.
Review and Approval
Once submitted, the declaration is reviewed by ICP officials. Applicants receive approval notifications via SMS and through the app, with all approved requests stored in the “Approved Requests” section of the dashboard. Customs officials may request to see this approval during clearance.
Free Service, Strict Enforcement
The Afseh service is free of charge and aims to streamline the customs clearance process while ensuring compliance with UAE regulations. Authorities have warned that failing to declare valuables exceeding Dh60,000 can result in penalties or confiscation of the undeclared items.
The initiative is part of the UAE’s wider efforts to prevent money laundering, curb illegal fund transfers, and stop the smuggling of high-value goods.
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