Yemen customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed July 2, 2026

Yemen's duty-free allowance for arriving adult travellers in 2026 is modest: 1 litre of alcohol, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco, and personal goods up to YER 50,000 (about USD 80). Cash of USD 10,000 or more must be declared. Strict prohibitions apply to pork, alcohol beyond the limit, and any items from Israel.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol
1.0 L
1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine/beer. Traveller must be 18+. Importing alcohol beyond this limit is prohibited.
Tobacco
200 cigarettes
or 50 cigars / 250 g
Cash to declare
$10,000
Any amount of USD 10,000 or more (or equivalent in any currency) must be declared on the customs arrival form. Failure to declare can result in seizure and fines.
Goods duty-free
$80
Duty-free allowance for personal goods and gifts is YER 50,000 (approximately USD 80 at 2026 rates). Items above this value are subject to duty and taxes.

Prohibited — banned from import

  • Narcotics and psychotropic substances (including khat, which is illegal for import despite local use)
  • Pork and pork products
  • Goods originating from Israel or bearing Israeli labels
  • Firearms, ammunition, and explosives without prior authorization from the Ministry of Interior
  • Pornographic materials and items deemed contrary to Islamic morality
  • Counterfeit currency and goods infringing intellectual property rights

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

  • Medicines for personal use: must be accompanied by a doctor's prescription or medical certificate; quantities exceeding 3 months' supply require prior approval from the Ministry of Health
  • Satellite phones and radio transmitters: require a permit from the Ministry of Telecommunications
  • Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles: require prior authorization from the Civil Aviation Authority
  • Plants, seeds, and agricultural products: subject to phytosanitary inspection and permit from the Ministry of Agriculture
  • Precious metals and gemstones: must be declared; gold over 100g requires a permit from the Central Bank of Yemen

Rules worth knowing

Khat import ban

Despite khat being chewed locally, its importation into Yemen is prohibited. Travellers found with khat face confiscation and possible legal action.

Currency restrictions

Import and export of Yemeni rials is limited to YER 10,000 per person. Foreign currency must be declared if exceeding USD 10,000 or equivalent.

Religious and cultural items

Importing religious materials (e.g., Bibles, non-Islamic texts) may be restricted. Items deemed offensive to Islam can be seized.

Temporary import of vehicles

Vehicles entering Yemen under a carnet de passage are allowed for up to 3 months. Overstaying results in heavy fines and possible seizure.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, but only 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine/beer. You must be 18 or older. Any alcohol beyond this limit is prohibited and will be confiscated.
You can bring up to USD 9,999 (or equivalent) without declaring. Amounts of USD 10,000 or more must be declared on the customs form.
Yes. Personal medicines are allowed with a prescription. Quantities exceeding a 3-month supply require prior approval from the Ministry of Health. Narcotic or psychotropic medications need special permits.
Drones are restricted. You need prior authorization from the Civil Aviation Authority. Without it, the drone will be confiscated at customs.
Personal goods and gifts up to YER 50,000 (about USD 80) are duty-free. Anything above that value is subject to customs duty.
No. Importing khat is prohibited, even though it is chewed locally. Travellers caught with khat face confiscation and legal penalties.

Official source

Yemen Customs Authority (Customs Authority of the Republic of Yemen)

For guidance only. Customs allowances and prohibited-item lists change without notice — always confirm with Yemen Customs Authority (Customs Authority of the Republic of Yemen) before travelling.