At a glance
How much liquid can you take in your hand luggage?
Containers of 100 ml or less, packed in a single clear, resealable plastic bag. Dubai Airports adds a total: no more than ten containers, one litre in all. Zayed International and Sharjah give the bag's size as about 20 by 20 cm. The rule covers pastes, gels and sprays too.
Liquids, aerosols and gels in hand luggage, by airport
| Airport | Per container | Total | Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai International and DWC | 100 ml[1] | 10 containers, 1 litre[1][4] | One clear, resealable plastic bag[2] |
| Zayed International, Abu Dhabi | 100 ml[6] | Not stated | One transparent, resealable bag, about 20 × 20 cm[6] |
| Sharjah | 100 ml[7] | Not stated | Clear, resealable 20 × 20 cm bag, shown at the X-ray point[7] |
From each airport's own security page. Airlines and your destination's airports may add rules; check both before you pack.
The airports read ‘liquid’ broadly. Sharjah Airport includes bottled toiletries, drinks, fragrances, cosmetics and frozen liquids[7]. Etihad's list applies the 100 ml limit in the cabin to drinks, soups, jams and sauces, foods with a high liquid content, creams and perfumes, pressurised containers such as deodorants, and pastes including toothpaste and lip balm[10].
What about medicines, baby milk and special diets?
They are exempt from the 100 ml limit, within reason. Dubai Airports exempts medication, baby milk and food, and special dietary items needed for the trip, and says you can bring as much baby food as your baby needs for the flight. Carry prescriptions for your medicines.
- Dubai Airports exempts medication, baby milk and foods, and special dietary requirements for use during the trip[1], and allows as much baby food as your baby might need during the flight[3].
- Medicines can go in hand luggage when departing and transiting[3]. At DWC, Dubai Airports says medicines you carry must have a prescription, and a metal medical device in your body needs a doctor's certificate[4].
- Sharjah Airport asks for medicines and special foods such as baby food to be carried separately, and says you may be asked to prove what a medicine is with a prescription or a letter from a doctor[7].
Flying into the UAE with medicine
Taking medicine out through security is one thing; bringing it into the country is another. Dubai Airports says certain medications are not allowed into the UAE without prior approval from the airline and the Ministry of Health[5]. That approval is now issued by the Emirates Drug Establishment[13]; our guide to travelling with medicines into and out of the UAE links its service and its list of controlled medicines.
How many power banks can you take on a UAE airline?
One, of up to 100 Wh, on Emirates, flydubai and Etihad; two on Air Arabia. None may be used on board, either to charge a device or to be charged. Keep them in the seat pocket or under the seat, not in the overhead locker, and never in checked baggage.
Power-bank rules of four UAE airlines
| Airline | How many | Capacity | Use on board | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | One[8] | Under 100 Wh, rating shown on it[8] | Not allowed, either way[8] | Seat pocket or bag under the seat; never checked[8] |
| flydubai | One[9] | 100 Wh or less, clearly marked[9] | Strictly prohibited[9] | Under the seat or seat pocket, switched off; never checked[9] |
| Etihad | One[10] | 100 Wh or less, clearly marked[10] | Strictly prohibited[10] | Switched off and protected from short circuits[10] |
| Air Arabia | Up to two[11] | Up to 100 Wh[11] | Not allowed, either way[11] | Seat pocket or bag under the seat, switched off; cabin only[11] |
Emirates' rules took full effect on 1 October 2025[8]. Gulf News summarised all four airlines' rules on 28 July 2026[12]. flydubai and Etihad say the rules apply whatever the device is called: power bank, portable charger, battery pack or power station[9][10].
Behind these rules is an international change. On 27 March 2026 the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) added to its Technical Instructions for dangerous goods: power banks must travel in hand luggage, may not be recharged on board, should not be used to recharge devices on board, and are limited to two per person[14]. The UAE's regulator, the GCAA, applies the ICAO Technical Instructions to flights from, to and through the country, and says the UAE applies more restrictions than they do[15]. Emirates', flydubai's and Etihad's limit of one is stricter than ICAO's two; Air Arabia's matches it.
What about spare batteries, phones and e-cigarettes?
Spare lithium batteries go in hand luggage only, each protected against short circuits. Dubai Airports allows no more than 15 mobile phones in your luggage, in the maker's packaging. E-cigarettes and vapes travel in the cabin, switched off, and may not be used or charged on board.
- Spare batteries: flydubai carries spare lithium batteries of up to 100 Wh in hand luggage only, each individually protected, up to 20 per passenger; batteries between 100 and 160 Wh need its approval[9].
- Devices: flydubai allows up to 15 portable electronic devices per passenger, and devices in checked baggage must be fully switched off, not in sleep mode[9].
- Phones: Dubai Airports allows no more than 15 mobile phones in your luggage, in the manufacturer's packaging, or they may be confiscated[1]; DWC's page excludes your personal phone from the count[4].
- E-cigarettes and vapes: flydubai requires them in the cabin, packed to prevent activation, switched off and never used or charged; any liquid refills follow the liquids rule[9]. Dubai Airports' DWC help pages say smoking devices are permitted in hand luggage[5].
- Lighters: Dubai Airports lists lighters, flammable containers and toy weapons as items to keep out of hand luggage[1].
What happens at the security checkpoint?
Laptops and tablets come out into their own tray, and coats, belts and some shoes come off. Liquids go through in their bag. Anything confiscated at security cannot be retrieved, Dubai Airports says, so leave doubtful items at home.
Dubai Airports asks you to keep laptops and tablets where you can reach them and put them in a separate tray[2]; at DWC, belts with metal buckles and boots or heeled shoes also go in the tray[4]. Zayed International asks for coats, jackets and belts to be removed[6], and Sharjah for coats, shoes and belts[7]. If an item is confiscated, Dubai Airports says it cannot be retrieved[5], and airport security may open checked bags to remove suspicious or prohibited items without you there[2].
The size and weight of your hand luggage are set by your airline, not the airport. Etihad's March 2025 advice, for example, gave 7 kg in Economy and 12 kg in First and Business, within 50 by 40 by 25 cm[16]; check the figure on your own booking.
What should you check before you pack?
- Liquids into containers of 100 ml or less, all in one clear resealable bag[1].
- Medicines, baby milk and special foods packed separately, with prescriptions to hand[1][7].
- A single power bank rated under 100 Wh (Emirates) or up to 100 Wh (flydubai, Etihad), with its rating visible, in your hand luggage[8][9][10].
- Spare batteries and vapes in hand luggage, protected from short circuits and switched off[9].
- Laptops and tablets where you can reach them for the tray[2].
Questions travellers ask
Can I take a power bank on an Emirates flight?
Yes, one, rated under 100 Wh with its rating shown, in the cabin only. You may not use it on board to charge a device, or charge it from the aircraft, and it must go in the seat pocket or under the seat[8].
How many power banks can I carry?
Emirates, flydubai and Etihad each allow one[8][9][10]; Air Arabia allows two[11]. ICAO's March 2026 change set the international limit at two per person[14], so check your own airline.
Is baby milk limited to 100 ml at Dubai airport?
No. Dubai Airports exempts baby milk and food from the liquids limit and says you can bring as much as your baby needs for the flight[1][3].
Can I pack a power bank in my checked suitcase?
No. Emirates and flydubai do not accept power banks in checked baggage[8][9], and Gulf News's summary of the UAE airlines' rules gives the same for Etihad[12]; ICAO requires them to be carried in the cabin[14].
Can I take a vape on a flydubai flight?
In your hand luggage only, packed so it cannot switch on, and it must not be used or charged on board[9].
Sources
The desk opened each source on the date shown. Rules, fees and timetables change: check the official source before you travel.
- [1]Security & customs — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [2]Baggage — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [3]Dubai Airport FAQs — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [4]Security and customs - DWC — Dubai Airports. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [5]FAQs - DWC — Dubai Airports. Accessed 29 September 2026
- [6]Security Information — Zayed International Airport. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [7]For Your Safety — Sharjah Airport. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [8]Emirates' safety rules for customer usage of power banks onboard - now in full effect (30 September 2025) — Emirates Media Centre. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [9]Dangerous goods — flydubai. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [10]Prohibited items and dangerous goods — Etihad Airways. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [11]Prohibited Items — Air Arabia. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [12]Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Air Arabia powerbank rules passengers must know before flying (28 July 2026) — Gulf News. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [13]Issue of Permit to Import Medicines for Personal Use — Emirates Drug Establishment (EDE). Accessed 29 September 2026
- [14]Changes Regarding Power Banks: Guidance Document for Operators (31 March 2026) — International Air Transport Association (IATA). Accessed 25 September 2026
- [15]CAR Part VI - Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, Rev 1.5 (16 September 2024) — General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), UAE. Accessed 25 September 2026
- [16]Etihad Airways shares essential travel tips for busy spring and summer holiday periods (20 March 2025) — Etihad Airways. Accessed 25 September 2026
Corrections
- : An earlier version said the approval to bring certain medicines into the UAE came from the Ministry of Health; it is now issued by the Emirates Drug Establishment.
Published 25 September 2026 · Updated 29 September 2026
Seen something wrong or out of date? Write to trade@nwp.ae and the desk will check it against the source.
