Authorities at Dubai and Sharjah airports have released updated guidelines listing prohibited and restricted items in both hand baggage and checked luggage, advising passengers to review the rules before travelling to avoid confiscation, penalties, or disruptions.

The advisory comes as UAE airport authorities noted that many passengers unknowingly carry items banned under aviation security regulations, causing inconvenience and delays.

According to the notification, hand baggage bans at Dubai Airport include hammers, nails, screwdrivers and sharp tools, scissors with blades longer than 6cm, large personal grooming devices, swords, handcuffs, firearms, flare cartridges, laser guns, walkie-talkies, lighters, bats, martial arts weapons, drills, ropes, measuring tapes, packing tape, and electrical wires (except for personal use).

Restricted items in Dubai hand luggage include liquids over 100ml per container (maximum one litre in total), medicines without a doctor’s prescription, medical implants without certification, and power banks exceeding 160Wh. Power bank usage during flights is prohibited.

Emirates airline has also announced a complete ban on in-flight power bank use starting October, though carrying them within limits is allowed.

Sharjah Airport’s complete ban covers items in both hand and checked baggage, including bats, flammable gases and liquids, dangerous chemicals, biological agents, firearms, knives with blades longer than 6cm, oxidisers, compressed gases, radioactive materials, toxic substances, explosives, suspicious items, imitation weapons, disabling devices like tear gas, and organic peroxides.

Certain restricted items — like liquids up to 100ml (one litre total), baby food, and prescribed medicines — are allowed if packed according to rules and presented separately during screening.

Authorities have urged all passengers to check with their airline for updated instructions, as some rules may vary by carrier, and to verify information through official UAE aviation or airport websites before travelling.