Is Oxycodone legal in United Arab Emirates?
- Legal status
- Oxycodone is a controlled narcotic under Federal Decree-Law 30/2021 (narcotic tables) — a strong opioid; trafficking committed with intent to traffic or promote is death-eligible, so aggravated oxycodone trafficking is within the capital tier (no published gram threshold).
- Consequences if caught
- Unauthorised possession is prosecuted; narcotics trafficking committed with trafficking intent or by an organised gang is death-eligible under Decree-Law 30/2021 — oxycodone as a narcotic-table opioid is within that capital tier (lesser custodial sentences typical for prescribed-traveller cases).
- If prescribed or medical
- Dispensed as a controlled narcotic on prescription.
- Documentation
- TRAVELLER TRAP: MOHAP/EDE prior import approval is required for controlled/narcotic medicines even with a prescription — carry an attested prescription/medical report and original packaging.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with United Arab Emirates’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →