Carrying cash from Australia to United Arab Emirates
Two separate rules apply to any cash journey: one where you leave, one where you arrive.
Do you need to declare?
Yes: and on both legs of the journey. Leaving Australia, AUSTRAC requires a declaration above AUD 10,000. Entering United Arab Emirates, Central Bank of the UAE requires a declaration above AED 60,000. The two rules are independent: satisfying one does not satisfy the other.
Travelling as a family or group?
The threshold applies to your combined total, not per person. A family of four each carrying a little under the limit is still over it, and splitting cash between travellers to stay under does not make it legal.
The two legs
| Leg | Limit | Form | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaving Australia | AUD 10,000 | Cross-Border Movement: Physical Currency Form | AUSTRAC |
| Entering United Arab Emirates | AED 60,000 | Customs declaration of currency | Central Bank of the UAE |
The same duty applies moving money out. Bearer negotiable instruments payable to any person must also be reported.
Declare currency, bearer negotiable instruments, precious metals or precious stones above AED 60,000 or the equivalent. Moving cash in or out is not itself illegal, failing to declare it is.
If you do not declare
Australia: Significant fines; undeclared cash may be seized.
United Arab Emirates: Declaration duty under Federal Decree-Law No. (20) of 2018 on Anti-Money Laundering.
There is no limit on how much you may legally carry in either direction, the duty is to report it, not to keep under it. Failing to report is the offence.
Currencies
Australia uses AUD; United Arab Emirates uses AED.
Sources: rules as of 22 September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; always check the official authority before travelling.