Baggage

Baggage FAQs

• Can I carry Zamzam water on Emirates flights?

  If you’re traveling to perform Hajj or Umrah and your itinerary includes Medinah, you may pack up to five liters of Islamic Holy Water or Zamzam water in addition to your checked-in baggage allowance. Just make sure to package the Zamzam water appropriately in a sealed container.

  Please note that there are restrictions on carrying Zamzam water on flights from Jeddah at this time.

• Can I carry firearms, weapons, and ammunition in my baggage?

  Firearms, weapons, and ammunition may be carried as checked baggage on Emirates flights under the following conditions:

  • You must be in possession of the original firearms license in your name and all original documents stating the appropriate clearances and permissions (if applicable) to export and/or import the firearms, weapons, and ammunition.
  • The carriage of any type of firearm, weapon, or ammunition must be approved by Emirates no less than three days before your flight. Please complete the firearms form (available only in English) in the Contact Us section of our Help Center to start the approval process. Please allow extra time for public holidays and weekends in your country of residence and the UAE.
  • Firearms must be completely unloaded and, if possible, dismantled and packed inside a suitcase or standard gun case.
  • Ammunition must be securely stored in a strong, sealed box packed inside a suitcase and surrounded by other contents. The suitcase must not bear an "Explosive" label.
  • The maximum gross weight of the ammunition carried by any single customer is 5 kg (11 lbs). Customers traveling in groups must carry ammunition in their own separate bags, with no single bag carrying more than the 5 kg (11 lb) limit.
  • All fireworks and any other items containing explosives—for example, Christmas crackers, firecrackers, bottle rockets, poppers, and sparklers—are forbidden to be carried on our flights either as carry-on baggage or as checked baggage.

  The following special conditions apply to customers wishing to carry firearms on flights into or through Dubai:

  • Customers who wish to bring firearms and ammunition into the UAE must obtain prior clearance from UAE Customs and the UAE Ministry of Defence. To obtain this clearance, customers must contact these government departments directly.
  • For transfer and transit customers who are connecting to onward flights, prior clearance to travel with firearms and ammunition must be obtained from the Dubai Airport Police Department and the Department of Civil Aviation.

• Can I carry smart bags on Emirates flights?

  "Smart" or "innovative" baggage includes bags with motors, power banks, GPS, GSM, Bluetooth, RFID, or Wi-Fi technology. There are restrictions on carrying smart bags with lithium batteries as either carry-on or checked baggage on all our flights.

  For carry-on baggage

  Smart bags within the cabin size and weight allowance for your route are allowed in the cabin as long as the battery is removable. The battery can stay in the bag as long as the bag is powered off completely. Please note that you can’t charge the bag on board.

  For checked baggage

  Smart bags are allowed as checked baggage if the battery is removed and carried in the cabin and the baggage is within the checked baggage size and weight allowances for your route.

  Smart bags with built-in batteries that can’t be removed are banned in both carry-on and checked baggage.

  You can visit our Dangerous Goods page for a full list of prohibited items.

• Is baggage transferred when I’m on connecting Emirates flights?

  If you’re connecting in Dubai between Emirates flights and your layover is less than 24 hours, your bags will be checked through to your final destination. That means your bags will not be available while you are in transit, unless otherwise specified by our airport staff.

  This includes flights purchased on emirates.com, including those bought through the advanced search option. If you wish to access your bags in Dubai, please contact us to make the correct type of booking or modify your existing booking to allow this.

• What are the new security measures for flights to the USA, Canada, and the UK?

  All those traveling to USA, Canada and the UK are required to switch on their electronic devices at the Dubai International or risk being denied access to fly. Please ensure that your electronic devices have sufficient power before reaching the airport. This is part of enhanced security measures required by the authorities of these countries.

  All carry-on luggage is subject to screening. Screening will be done at relevant boarding gates for flights departing to destinations in the US, the UK, and Canada. 

  Passengers who are unable to switch on their electronic devices risk being offloaded or asked to leave behind such devices. There is no secure location to store these devices, and Emirates will be unable to bear responsibility for these items.