Dubai Customs is scaling up operations at the emirate’s airports ahead of an expected three million passengers in the first half of July, introducing faster screening systems and new passenger services as part of its summer preparedness programme.
The agency operates 19 advanced baggage-screening systems and 77 detection and inspection units across Dubai’s airport terminals. Baggage now passes through screening devices in the manual inspection area in just seven seconds, a reduction that the department says cuts waiting times without compromising inspection accuracy.
Khalid Ahmed, Director of the Passenger Operations Department at Dubai Customs, said preparations began early and were developed in coordination with strategic partners including Dubai Airports. “The plans aim to accommodate the expected rise in passenger volumes and ensure smooth movement across all passenger halls at Dubai airports, without compromising the speed of procedures or the quality of services,” he said.
Ahmed added that investment in smart technologies and field team training allows Dubai Customs to handle rapid growth in passenger traffic while maintaining customs security standards.
One longer-term project involves the development of dedicated pet inspection rooms in Terminals 1, 2, and 3. The rooms are intended to provide a properly equipped environment for veterinary checks on animals travelling with passengers, though the agency said work is still ongoing to complete technical and regulatory requirements ahead of the launch.
On customs allowances, passengers may bring gifts worth up to AED 3,000 into the UAE without paying duties, provided the items are personal in nature, not for commercial resale, and limited in quantity. Duties apply to values or quantities above those thresholds.
