Travelling To Middle East? Do Not Bring These Items

Different airline companies have restrictions on the things you can carry onboard whichever country you are going. However, flying to the Middle East especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE, gives you a little extra on items you cannot bring onboard. Things that are simply allowed in other countries may be included in their banned items so this article could be helpful for you to determine which items should not be included in your flight.
As overseas Filipino workers (OFW), it is important that we follow the regulations of the host country we are working in to avoid any troubles.

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Here are some of the banned items in the UAE, as per the Dubai Customs and Dubai Municipality Government.

– Pornographic material
– Non-Islamic religious pamphlets for missionary activities
– Fireworks, ivory, weapons, and ammunition
– Chemical and organic fertilizers
– Laser pens
– Radar jammers/other unauthorized communication devices
– Endangered animal species
– All kinds of narcotic drugs including cocaine, poppy seeds, hallucination pills, among others
– Banned goods imported from other countries
– Gambling tools
– Forged currency
– Cooked and home-made foods, including “Balut”, or developing bird embryo (usually a duck)
– And any objects, sculptures, paintings, books or magazines which do not adhere to the religious and moral values of the UAE

Refusal to comply with these rules may result to confiscation of an item, paying fines, imprisonment, or even deportation.

Cash
When it comes to cash, tourists or visitors need to disclose cash (in any currency), cheques, and jewelry items if their total value exceeds Dh100,000. Individuals under 18 are not allowed to enter the country with cash exceeding Dh100,000.

Medicine/Drugs
Pharmacy Law No. 4 of 1983 and Narcotics Law No. 14 of 1995 states that some controlled or psychotropic medicines and narcotics, even though they are prescribed and/or easily available in countries outside UAE, require permission from the Ministry of Health. To avoid problems, ensure that the medicine to be brought to UAE does not contain banned substances.

Liquids
Liquid substances should be placed inside a secure, transparent, and resealable plastic bags. The number of liquids should also not exceed 1-liter.

It is still better to be aware and check out on information available in UAE government’s website to stay updated on the list of banned items.

This article is filed under: Saudi Arabia, OFW, Middle East, banned items, 


Read Also: Things To Avoid If You Are Flying To KSA 

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Can You Bring Batteries With You During Flight?

Can you bring batteries during flight?
Philippine Airlines has specific restrictions in carrying batteries during a flight.

Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) batteries are limited to 2 grams of lithium per battery. Lithium-ion (rechargeable) batteries are limited to a rating of 100 watt-hours (Wh) per battery.

With airline approval, passengers may also carry up to two spare larger lithium ion batteries (101-160 watt-hours). No more than two spare batteries may be carried in carry-on baggage.

Batteries must be protected from damage and short circuit. The terminals of spare batteries must be protected to prevent short circuit by using the original battery packaging, taping the terminals and putting batteries individually into appropriate plastic bags.

Banned Items for carriage as check-in, carry-on or hand-carry and cargo with or without batteries:
Balance Wheel
Hoverboard
Air Wheel
Solowheel
Mini-Segway

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Frequent travelers and migrant workers including overseas Filipino workers (OFW) often carry electronic gadgets like mp3 players and mobile phones to provide them entertainment or a laptop computer to allow them to work throughout their flight. Of course, it will need power, and that's where batteries are useful. For long trips, you will gonna need more of it and spare batteries help all the time.

Airline companies have a strict regulation of bringing batteries onboard for the safety of the plane as well as the passengers. 

According to Transports Safety Administration (TSA), batteries like the typical AA, AAA, C, D, 9V, button cell can be brought and placed in a carry-on bag. You can also bring lithium batteries provided it is installed on your device. Lithium batteries that are not rechargeable are also allowed.

the abovementioned items is also allowed on the check-in baggage.

However, there are also kinds of batteries which are totally not allowed inside the aircraft and this includes the following: 
Car batteries
wet batteries
spillable batteries

Unless it is used by the passenger to power their wheelchairs or scooters, it is not allowed. If the passenger needs a spare battery, they need to advise the airline operator to assist them in packing them well.
Battery-powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility devices with non-spillable or spillable batteries can be checked in under the following conditions:
*Pre-notification is required and acceptance is subject to Philippine Airlines approval;

—Battery terminals must be insulated to prevent accidental short circuits, e.g., by being enclosed within a battery container;

—Battery must be securely attached to the wheelchair;

—Wheelchair/mobility aid must be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded while maintaining upright position;

—Battery must be carried in strong, rigid packaging;

—Battery that is damaged, leaking, or if not packaged appropriately must not be loaded.

Lithium batteries in equipment and spares are allowed as carry-on baggage only and are prohibited in checked baggage.

Spare lithium batteries are not allowed onboard. 

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©2018 THOUGHTSKOTO

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DTI: Items NOT Allowed in Balik-Bayan Boxes

Nearing the holiday season and in spite of the controversies regarding balik-bayan boxes, custom tax, and more, majority of OFWs still want to make sure that their love ones get their packages in time. 

DTI has recently released an advisory regarding items that should not be sent through balik-bayan boxes. 

• Currencies
• Checks
• Money orders and traveller's checks
• Jewelry
• Firearms, ammunitions and explosives
• Prohibited drugs and other substances
• Pornographic materials
• Gambling cards
• Toy guns
• Pirated products
• Items of commercial quantity
• Plant seeds and plant materials
• Food not contained in cans, sealed packages or in bottles

They also added that contents of your boxes should be declared.

Read: List of Accredited Cargo Forwarders

     List of Taxable Items in Your Luggage

     Taxable Items in Balik-Bayan Box

For complaints or inquiry contact DTI  fate@dti.gov.ph or call DTI direct (02)751-3330 or 09178343330.

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO

YOU SHOULD NOT BRING THESE ITEMS WHEN FLYING TO SAUDI ARABIA

ARRIVAL PROCEDURES

1. Upon arrival, the passenger proceeds to the inspection counter at the international terminal.

2. The officer examines the passenger's passport. A picture and finger print might be taken at the airport.

3. The passenger puts his personal effects on the X-Ray device for examination.

4. If the customs inspector suspects any piece of luggage he will open it.

5. When the examination is completed, a label is fixed on the luggage.

6. The customs security officer checks that the label is available on the arriving passenger's suitcases and luggage at the exit gate. 

TO KEEP OUR BAGGAGES SAFE AND TO KEEP THE SYNDICATE FROM PUTTING DRUGS, READ THIS. 

BELOW ARE ITEMS PROHIBITED TO BRING INSIDE SAUDI ARABIA. OTHERS MAY DISPUTE ABOUT SOME ITEMS, BUT BETTER BE SAFE THAN SORRY. WE ENCOURAGE OFWS AND OTHERS TO SHARE THIS MESSAGE. 

·        Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (NOTE THIS IS PUNISHABLE BY BEHEADINGS or DEATH)

·        Dangerous and Hazardous Chemicals

·        Pork and Ham and any products containing Pork. Scanners are equipped with pork detection devices and sometimes pork-sniffing dogs are visible at the airport. 

·        Alcoholic drinks and beverages, wine and liquors

·        Items that may contain alcohol like wine for cooking

·        Personal disinfectant alcohol like ethyl or isopropyl alcohol

·        Books relating to how to make alcohol or wine.

·        Medicines – Some doctors prescription is required

·        Crosses and Crucifix or anything of the likes.

·        Figurines, statues or objects of human or animal form which maybe suspected for use in religious worship other than personal use, example of such are Mother Mary statues and posters, Rosary, Buddha figurines, religious carvings, altars and other posters.

·        Weapons of any kind, ornamental or toys including toy guns, ammunition, firecrackers, fireworks, spears, small knife or swiss knife, even nail cutter with a small knife, anything sharp or that are edged materials. This can result to imprisonment or delays at the airport for questioning.

·        Pornographic materials, magazines, dvd’s and even those that might be stored in your phone.

·        Politically sensitive materials especially against Saudi Arabia and the religion, Islam

·   Religious materials against the Kingdom’s religion. We should respect and remember that Saudi is home to the two Holy Mosques to the Muslim religion. Utmost respect and reverence is requested.

·     Radio transmitter/communication equipment (including walkie-talkies, short-wave, VHF, marine, police band equipment, etc.)

·        Binoculars or telescopic equipment

·        Tasers or those use by police to electrified suspected criminals

·        Military equipments and uniforms

·        Taxidermy, ivory and fur

·        Gemstones, jewelry, natural pearls

·        Israeli she-gel

Declaration of Cash Amounts, Bearer Negotiable Instruments And Precious Metals: The Saudi Customs welcomes you and reminds every passenger or responsible family ‎member upon arrival or departure that whoever carries cash amounts, bearer ‎negotiable instruments or precious metals exceeding SR‏60,000 ‏or the equivalent in ‎foreign currency, must declare them to the customs officer and fill out the declaration ‎form. Failure to make declaration will subject them to confiscation, and the bearer ‎will be liable to legal penalties . Hazardous Materials: Entry of arms, fireworks, fire-crackers, and sharp cutlasses and swords is prohibited unless after having a prior permit from the Ministry of Interior. Pet and Birds: Bringing pet to Saudi Arabia requires an official health certificate and examination by the quarantine office. Birds of All Kinds require a permit from National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development. Medicines and Herbal Medical: Medicines of all kinds shall not be released unless after being presented the Ministry of Health’s representative.

©2015 THOUGHTSKOTO