Chewing Gum Laws in the UAE: What You Need to Know

Thinking about packing a pack of gum for your Dubai trip? You might be surprised to learn that the UAE treats chewing gum a bit differently than most countries. Below is the straight‑forward low‑tech rundown so you won’t get stuck at the airport or fined later.

Is Chewing Gum Allowed?

In the UAE, chewing gum itself isn’t illegal to own or chew, but there are strict rules around where you can do it. Public places like malls, restaurants, and public transport expect you to keep gum out of sight. If you’re caught sticking gum on a seat or floor, you could be asked to clean it up or even face a small fine. Most locals keep gum to themselves at home or in private spaces.

How to Bring Gum into the UAE

Customs doesn’t ban gum, but they do limit the amount you can bring in. One to two packs (about 20‑40 pieces) for personal use is usually fine. Anything looking like a commercial shipment can trigger a customs inspection and possible seizure. To stay safe, keep the pack sealed, in your hand luggage, and be ready to show it’s for personal use.

If you’re a tourist and want fresh mint after a hot day, buy gum after you land. Convenience stores, supermarkets, and many hotel mini‑bars sell gum without any hassle. Buying locally also avoids the whole customs question entirely.

There’s another angle: some public venues have “no chewing gum” signs, especially in schools and government buildings. Ignoring those signs can lead to a warning or a fine of about AED 500. It’s not a massive amount, but it’s better to just respect the sign and pop the gum in your pocket.

What about the weird myths you’ve heard, like gum being illegal to import? Those stem from older regulations that targeted spitting gum in public, which was considered a cleanliness issue. The law has softened, but the cultural expectation remains: keep gum discreet.

If you’re caught chewing gum in a place that bans it, the most common response is a polite request to dispose of it. Staff won’t usually call the police unless you cause a mess or repeatedly ignore warnings. A quick apology and tossing the gum in a trash bin clears things up.

Bottom line: you can bring a small amount of gum for personal use, chew it in private, and buy more locally. Just watch the signs, keep it tidy, and you’ll avoid any unnecessary fines.