Dubai Customs has elevated its operational readiness ahead of the peak summer travel season, coinciding with expectations that approximately 3 million travellers will pass through Dubai's airports during the first half of July. The authority has successfully reduced baggage screening time in the manual inspection area at arrival halls to just 7 seconds per pass through the scanning machines, contributing to shorter waiting times and faster passenger flow while maintaining the highest standards of customs accuracy and security.
These preparations were carried out through a comprehensive operational plan, following a series of coordination meetings with strategic partners at Dubai airports, with the aim of reviewing plans, raising readiness levels, ensuring smooth passenger movement during the peak season, and delivering a fast and safe travel experience.
These efforts support the targets of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and reinforce Dubai's competitiveness as one of the world's premier destinations for tourism and business and the most visited city in the world, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him.
Dubai Customs operates a sophisticated system to ensure continued operational efficiency during peak periods and to keep pace with the sustained growth in visitor numbers. This includes 19 advanced baggage screening machines and 77 detection and inspection devices distributed across the various halls and entry points of Dubai's airports, enhancing capacity, accelerating inspection procedures, and maintaining the highest security and safety standards.
The department continues to raise traveller awareness through a guidance manual that outlines items permitted for entry into the country and the conditions for customs exemptions. The manual permits the duty-free import of personal gifts valued at no more than 3,000 dirhams, in limited quantities not intended for commercial purposes, provided the traveller is not engaged in trade in the items they are carrying. Customs duties apply to quantities or values exceeding these thresholds, in addition to applicable charges on baggage that exceeds permitted limits.
In the context of developing its services, Dubai Customs is working in cooperation with Dubai airports and relevant authorities to implement a project to establish dedicated pet inspection rooms in Dubai airport terminals 1, 2, and 3. This is intended to provide a fully equipped environment for conducting veterinary checks efficiently and swiftly, and to enhance services for travellers arriving and departing with their pets.
Khaled Ahmed, Director of Traveller Operations at Dubai Customs, confirmed that preparations for the summer travel season began early through the development of comprehensive operational plans in coordination with strategic partners, in order to absorb the anticipated increase and ensure smooth movement across all terminals without affecting the speed of procedures or quality of services. He said the department continues to invest in developing its operational infrastructure, deploying the latest smart technologies, and enhancing the capabilities of its field personnel to keep pace with the rapid growth in travel movement and deliver proactive services that elevate the traveller experience while maintaining the highest customs security standards.
Ahmed explained that achieving a baggage inspection processing time of 7 seconds in the manual inspection zone reflects the efficiency of the modern systems and devices adopted by Dubai Customs, affirming that accelerating procedures enhances inspection efficiency and delivers a fast and seamless experience.
He noted that the pet inspection room project is part of ongoing efforts to develop services and meet traveller needs in accordance with international best practices, adding that work is under way with partners to complete the technical and regulatory requirements for the project's launch.
He concluded by reaffirming Dubai Customs' commitment to implementing development initiatives and projects that elevate the traveller experience, support the targets of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), and cement the emirate's standing as a global destination for tourism and business and a leading model in innovation, quality of government services, and ease of travel.